Liquid Collecting Portion for Ink Leakage in Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses with inclined ejection and platen surfaces often result in ink leakage that drips downward, potentially staining the floor outside the installation region when the opening/closing member is opened, as existing designs do not effectively collect the leaking ink.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a liquid collecting portion integrated into the opening/closing member positioned vertically below the ejection surface, which forms and opens the transport path, ensuring that any leaking ink is collected and prevented from reaching the floor, including the use of absorbing materials and guide portions to enhance collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejecting port surface and platen are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, then ink can be ejected onto the medium, but leaking ink drips downward and may stain the floor when the opening/closing member is opened
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid collecting portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid ejecting portion and the external environment. This collecting portion intercepts leaking liquid before it can reach the opening/closing member or floor, effectively mediating the harmful effect of ink leakage while preserving the inclined ejection configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful downward-dripping ink is converted into a contained liquid within the liquid collecting portion. The collecting portion transforms the harmful leakage into a manageable state where the liquid is trapped and can be properly disposed of, converting a staining hazard into a controlled situation
2Ease of operation
If the opening/closing member is opened to remove jammed paper, then paper jam can be resolved, but leaking ink flows to the opened member and stains the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid collecting portion acts as an intermediary barrier that remains in place even when the opening/closing member is opened. It continues to intercept and contain leaking ink, preventing direct contact between the ink and the opened member or floor, thus enabling easy paper removal without the risk of staining
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a liquid collecting portion is provided on the opening/closing member, then leaking ink is collected and floor staining is prevented, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid collecting portion is merged with the opening/closing member as an integrated component. By combining the collection function with the existing opening/closing mechanism, the patent avoids adding a completely separate complex subsystem, thereby reducing the overall structural complexity while still achieving effective liquid containment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents ink from staining the floor outside the apparatus by effectively collecting and containing the leaking ink, even when the opening/closing member is open, thereby maintaining a clean installation area and reducing the risk of ink leakage.
Implementation Method 1
ink leaking from an ejecting port of the recording head tends to drip downward
Implementation Method 2
including the use of absorbing materials and guide portions to enhance collection efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid onto a medium which is transported and has an ejection surface from which the liquid is ejected and which intersects a horizontal direction; a transport path that is disposed upstream of a position facing the liquid ejecting portion and is positioned vertically below the liquid ejecting portion; and an opening/closing member that is configured to be opened and closed with respect to a side surface of an apparatus body including the liquid ejecting portion, forms the transport path when closed, and at least partially opens the transport path when opened. A liquid collecting portion that collects the liquid leaking from the liquid ejecting portion is provided on the opening/closing member at a position vertically below the ejection surface.