Inkjet Recording Apparatus Movable Scanner Casing Waste Ink Tank Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses require cumbersome procedures for exchanging waste ink tanks, often necessitating the relocation of the device and disconnection of cables, making the process labor-intensive and space-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a movable scanner casing that pivots between a proximate and separate position, allowing for easy access to the waste ink tank without moving the device or disconnecting cables, with a second cover detachably attached to the first cover to facilitate the exchange of the waste ink tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the waste ink tank is fixed inside the printer casing, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for exchanging the tank deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is divided into a first cover and a second cover that can be detached from each other. The waste ink tank is positioned beneath the second cover, allowing the second cover to be removed independently to access and exchange the tank, while the first cover remains attached to maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cover is extracted or detached from the first cover to provide access to the waste ink tank. This allows the tank to be exchanged without removing the entire top cover or relocating the printer, thereby maintaining structural stability while improving ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the scanner casing is fixed in position, then the device stability is improved, but the ease of operation for accessing the waste ink tank deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner casing is made movable relative to the printer casing, allowing it to pivot between a proximate position (adjacent to the top planes) and a separate position (separated from the top planes). This dynamic configuration enables easy access to the waste ink tank during exchange while maintaining device stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanner casing is positioned in the upper position relative to the printer casing and can move in a vertical/dimensional space. By pivoting the scanner casing away from the top planes, vertical space is created to facilitate access to the waste ink tank without requiring horizontal relocation of the entire device.
3Reliability
If the second cover is permanently attached, then the reliability of containment is improved, but the ease of operation for tank exchange deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The top cover is segmented into two detachable parts: the first cover and the second cover. The second cover can be detached from the first cover to access the waste ink tank, enabling easy exchange while maintaining containment reliability when attached during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cover is designed to be detachably attached, allowing preliminary preparation for tank exchange by simply removing the second cover before accessing the waste ink tank. This preliminary action enables maintenance operations without requiring full device disassembly or relocation.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus, including a first casing having an upward opening at a top thereof; a recording unit disposed in the first casing and configured to discharge ink from a nozzle onto a sheet; a first cover to cover a part of the opening of the first casing; a second cover detachably attached to the first cover and configured to cover another part of the opening which is not covered by the first cover; a waste ink tank removably supported by the first casing at a position facing the second cover in the first casing and configured to contain waste ink discharged from the nozzle; and a second casing disposed in an upper position with respect to the first casing and configured to be movable between a proximate position and a separate position, is provided.