Ink Jet Shutter Mechanism Resolving Space Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ink jet recording apparatuses, the shutter mechanism often lacks sufficient space to open properly due to the waste liquid tank pushing against it, leading to potential ink leakage and staining of components during maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A shutter mechanism with a shutter member that moves between closed and open positions, facilitated by a holding member inserted in a specific direction to ensure the shutter member opens reliably, providing sufficient space for proper operation and preventing ink leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the waste liquid tank is positioned close to the maintenance recovery unit, then the apparatus size is reduced, but the shutter mechanism lacks sufficient space to open properly
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter member is configured to move not only horizontally but also vertically along an inclined surface formed by the waste liquid tank. This multi-dimensional movement path allows the shutter to open adequately even when the waste liquid tank is positioned close to the maintenance recovery unit, resolving the space constraint while maintaining compact apparatus size.
2Ease of operation
If the shutter mechanism is designed with sufficient opening space, then the shutter can open properly, but the layout flexibility of components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter mechanism employs a dynamic movement path that adapts to the spatial relationship between the waste liquid tank and maintenance recovery unit. The shutter member moves along an inclined surface, allowing the mechanism to function effectively regardless of the specific component layout, thereby maintaining both adequate opening space and layout flexibility.
3Extent of automation
If the waste liquid tank pushes the shutter to open, then the operation is automated, but there is often insufficient space for the shutter to move inward
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid tank incorporates an inclined surface that guides the shutter member through a combined horizontal and vertical movement path. When the waste liquid tank pushes the shutter to open, the shutter moves along this inclined surface, effectively utilizing vertical space to resolve the insufficient horizontal movement space while maintaining automated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a maintenance recovery unit for maintaining and recovering a state of the recording head, a waste liquid tank removably loaded to the maintenance recovery unit to store a waste liquid from the maintenance recovery unit, a shutter mechanism arranged between the maintenance recovery unit and the waste liquid tank and including a shutter member which moves between a closed position at which the maintenance recovery unit is isolated from the waste liquid tank and an open position at which the maintenance recovery unit is linked to the waste liquid tank and a close mechanism which causes the shutter member to stay at the closed position, and a holding member removably inserted to the ink jet recording apparatus in a first direction and causes the shutter member to move to the open position in a second direction opposite to the first direction.