Liquid Ejection Device Fan Placement and Airflow Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers with blower devices face a design constraint where the height of the case top surface increases, compromising user workability due to the placement of blower devices above the printing medium, which affects the usability and accessibility of the device.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device is designed with a blower fan positioned at an end section of the housing, intersecting with the transport axis, and an air duct system that includes flow path members and partition plates to guide air, allowing for efficient air circulation and reduced housing height, thereby maintaining user accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fan is disposed above the printing medium along the width of the printing medium, then the air circulation function is improved, but the height of the case top surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the printing medium along the width) to a horizontal arrangement (at an end section along the length). This dimensional change allows the fan to maintain its air circulation function while reducing the height requirement of the case top surface, as the air is now circulated along the length direction rather than requiring vertical space.
2Reliability
If the height of the case top surface increases, then the air circulation capacity is improved, but the user workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The air circulation system is redesigned to operate horizontally along the length direction rather than vertically. The fan positioned at the end section blows air along the length, and the partition plates guide this horizontal airflow to circulate throughout the housing. This maintains adequate air circulation capacity for ink mist removal while keeping the case height reduced, thereby preserving user workability and accessibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple partition plates are added to guide air flow, then the air distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing interior is divided into multiple flow paths using partition plates positioned at different locations. These partition plates segment the air flow into distinct regions, ensuring uniform air distribution across the printing medium width. The segmentation approach achieves precise air flow control without requiring complex mechanisms, as each partition plate independently guides air through specific pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
Partition plates are strategically positioned at specific locations within the housing to address local air flow requirements. The first partition plate is disposed at a first location and the second partition plate at a second location, creating localized flow guidance zones. This allows uniform air distribution to be achieved through simple, location-specific structural modifications rather than complex overall redesign.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables effective air circulation and removal of ink mist and dust within the printer while keeping the housing height minimal, enhancing user workability and device performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fan that is disposed at an end section of the housing along a second axis, which intersects the first axis of the housing, and that feeds air into the housing
Implementation Method 2
a flow path member in which are formed an opening along the second axis and a flow passage for guiding air that was fed in by the fan; a first partition plate that is disposed in the flow path and that is configured to guide, toward the opening, air fed along the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a transport section configured to transport a medium along a first axis, a liquid ejection section configured to eject a liquid to the medium, a housing that houses the transport section and the liquid ejection section, a fan disposed at an end section of the housing along a second axis, which intersects the first axis of the housing, and that feeds air into the housing, a flow path member in which are formed an opening along the second axis and a flow passage for guiding air that was fed by the fan, a first partition plate disposed in the flow path and configured to guide, toward the opening, air fed along the second axis, and a second partition plate disposed in the flow path and configured to guide, toward the opening, air fed along the second axis.