Lateral Ink Cartridge Removal Mechanism for Compact Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of image recording apparatuses, such as ink-jet printers, faces challenges in maintaining easy ink cartridge exchange operations due to restricted upward-downward dimensions, making it difficult to protrude ink cartridges for user access.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a cartridge installing unit that includes a base for aligning ink cartridges, a moving force applying unit to move cartridges from an installation position to a removal position, and a regulating unit to control this movement, allowing for parallel displacement and separation of ink cartridges for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the apparatus is miniaturized to reduce overall size, then the volume and footprint of the device are reduced, but the upward-downward dimension becomes restricted, making it impossible for ink cartridges to protrude upwardly for easy user access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the direction of cartridge protrusion from the vertical dimension (upward-downward) to the horizontal dimension (lateral direction). The cartridge installing unit is configured to allow ink cartridges to protrude in the lateral direction rather than upward, utilizing the horizontal space within the miniaturized apparatus to maintain accessibility while reducing overall device volume.
2Area of stationary object
If ink cartridges are aligned closely together to save space, then the apparatus can be miniaturized, but the user cannot easily grasp and remove individual cartridges
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge installing unit is segmented into individual cartridge slots with separating walls between adjacent cartridges. This segmentation allows each cartridge to be independently accessed and removed from the lateral direction, while the overall unit maintains a compact footprint. The separating walls provide physical boundaries that facilitate user grasping and removal of individual cartridges.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional lifting mechanism is used to protrude cartridges upwardly, then exchange operation performance is improved, but the upward-downward dimension increases, preventing miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for vertical lifting mechanisms by implementing a lateral protrusion system. The cartridge installing unit directly allows cartridges to extend in the horizontal direction from the carriage, removing the requirement for upward movement mechanisms and thereby reducing the upward-downward dimension of the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a cartridge installing unit for detachably installing a plurality of ink cartridges. The cartridge installing unit includes: a base having a placing surface and aligning the plurality of ink cartridges in a first direction on the placing surface; a moving force applying unit moving an ink cartridge of the plurality of ink cartridges from an installation position to a removal position separated from the installation position in a movement direction including a component of the first direction; and a regulating unit regulating the movement of the ink cartridge from the installation position to the removal position. The moving force applying unit moves the ink cartridge from the installation position to the removal position in a case that the ink cartridge is released from the regulation by the regulating unit.