Liquid Ejecting Head Cover Movement for Ink Refill Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers require a space above the device to pour ink, limiting their installation flexibility and user convenience, as the ink cannot be replenished without opening the cover.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a movement unit that exposes the liquid inlet to the outside when moved in the transport or main scanning direction, allowing ink to be poured from the front without opening the upper cover, and incorporating a detector and absorber to prevent leakage and ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is opened upward to pour ink, then the liquid inlet can be accessed, but additional space above the device is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the access direction from vertical (opening cover upward) to horizontal (moving cover in main scanning direction). The liquid inlet is positioned on the side of the liquid container, allowing users to access it by moving the carriage horizontally rather than opening the cover vertically, thus eliminating the need for additional space above the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the cover movable in the main scanning direction rather than fixed or opening upward. The movement unit allows the cover to be dynamically repositioned to expose the liquid inlet, enabling flexible access without requiring permanent vertical clearance space.
2Ease of operation
If the movement unit is moved to expose the liquid inlet, then ink can be poured, but accidental carriage movement may cause ink spills
Solution Approach 1:
The detector detects whether the movement unit is in the moved state before allowing carriage movement. The controller prevents the carriage from moving when the liquid inlet is exposed, proactively avoiding the harmful effect of ink spills before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector provides feedback about the movement unit's state to the controller, which then adjusts carriage movement accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the carriage only moves when the liquid inlet is properly covered, preventing ink spills while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If the liquid inlet is always exposed, then ink can be easily poured, but ink leakage and evaporation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed open or closed. Users can move the cover to expose the liquid inlet only when needed for refilling, and the detector ensures the cover returns to its closed position afterward, minimizing ink exposure time and reducing evaporation and leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the cover position based on detected conditions. When the liquid inlet is accessed, the movement unit and cover work together to expose it, and the detector-triggered carriage position control ensures it's properly covered afterward, reducing manual intervention and ink loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a carriage, a liquid container, a housing, and a cover. The liquid ejecting head ejects liquid toward a medium transported in a transport direction. The carriage mounts the liquid ejecting head and moves in a main scanning direction intersecting the transport direction of the medium. The liquid container is mounted on the carriage. The liquid container has a containing chamber which contains the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head and a liquid inlet through which the liquid is poured from a replenishment container into the containing chamber. The housing houses the liquid ejecting head, the liquid container, and the carriage. The cover covers the housing. The housing includes a movement unit that causes the liquid inlet to be exposed to the outside when the movement unit is moved.