Dual Waste Ink Storage Layout for Compact Printer Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face an increase in waste ink volume due to higher durability and print capacity, leading to a need for larger waste ink storage capacity, which in turn increases the size of the device.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual waste-ink storage system where the first waste-ink storage is positioned on the side of the sheet tray and the second waste-ink storage is positioned under the sheet tray, allowing for efficient arrangement and reduced overall size of the apparatus while maintaining increased capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the capacity of the waste ink storage is increased to handle higher printing volume, then the waste ink storage capacity is improved, but the size of the ink-jet recording apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink storage is divided into a fixed waste ink storage (first waste-liquid storage) and a replaceable movable waste ink storage (second waste-liquid storage). This segmentation allows the system to achieve larger total capacity while keeping the fixed portion compact and allowing the movable portion to be replaced based on usage needs, thus avoiding permanent increase in apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable waste ink storage is positioned underneath the sheet tray, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal space. This dimensional arrangement increases waste ink storage capacity without significantly increasing the footprint or overall size of the apparatus.
2Productivity
If the number of printings is increased through improved durability, then the productivity is improved, but the amount of waste ink generated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable waste ink storage can be replaced when full, allowing the system to handle continuous high-volume printing without permanent expansion. The replaceable nature enables periodic removal and replacement of the waste ink container, effectively managing waste accumulation over extended printing periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid consuming apparatus includes: a liquid consumer that consumes liquid; a liquid receiver that receives the liquid discharged from the liquid consumer; a first waste-liquid storage connected to the liquid receiver so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a second waste-liquid storage connected to the first waste-liquid storage so as to allow communication of the liquid therebetween; a housing; and a sheet tray supported by the housing. The first waste-liquid storage is disposed on a side of the sheet tray. The second waste-liquid storage is disposed under the sheet tray.