Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Ink Level Storage Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses lack a mechanism to handle abnormal cases, such as when the liquid level in the tank falls to zero, leading to inconvenience for users, as they often unknowingly deplete the liquid, and there is no process in place to manage this scenario effectively.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a tank with a storage material that can be attached and detached, which stops operations when the liquid level is low and allows continued operation when the level is sufficient, with a system to update the liquid amount stored by the storage material based on usage, ensuring user convenience by preventing unnecessary refilling and maintaining printing functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a storage material is used to store the amount of liquid inside the tank, then the user can be informed about the liquid level, but the device complexity increases due to the additional storage material and its management system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable storage material (such as a sticker or label) that is attached to the tank to store liquid level information. This storage material is intended to be replaced periodically, eliminating the need for complex, permanent electronic storage systems. The disposable nature of the storage material simplifies the overall device complexity while still providing the necessary information storage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic information storage and display systems with a simple mechanical/chemical storage medium (the storage material itself). The liquid level information is stored directly on the storage material through mechanical means (such as visual indicators or physical markings) rather than requiring electronic sensors, processors, and displays, thereby reducing device complexity.
2Reliability
If the liquid ejecting apparatus stops operation when the storage material is removed, then the user is prompted to refill the liquid, but the productivity decreases due to operation interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by stopping the operation before the liquid is completely depleted. The storage material provides advance notice of the liquid level, allowing the user to refill the tank before running out of liquid. This prevents the more severe interruption that would occur from complete depletion and ensures continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the storage material communicates the liquid level status to the user, who then takes action to refill. This feedback mechanism ensures that the user is informed about the liquid level in advance, allowing them to plan refilling activities during convenient times rather than experiencing unexpected interruptions, thus maintaining higher overall productivity.
3Loss of information
If the storage material stores the liquid amount continuously, then the user can monitor the liquid level, but the loss of substance increases due to premature refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the storage material as a simplified copy or representation of the actual liquid level in the tank. Rather than requiring precise, continuous electronic measurement and communication of the exact liquid amount, the storage material provides a sufficient copy of the liquid level information (such as through visual indicators showing high, medium, or low levels). This allows users to make adequate refilling decisions without wasting liquid from overly conservative refilling triggered by precise continuous monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to improve a user's convenience. There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including a head ejecting a liquid onto a medium; a containing unit containing the liquid; and a mounting unit on which a storage material storing a liquid amount of the containing unit is mounted. If the storage material is removed from the mounting unit when the liquid ejecting apparatus performs an operation, the liquid ejecting apparatus selects any one state between a first state of stopping the operation and a second state without stopping the operation.