Liquid Collection Container for Residual Liquid Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses with refillable liquid containers face challenges in easily discharging and collecting residual liquid, leading to potential spills and environmental contamination during disposal due to the fixed structure of the liquid container, which does not consider the removal or collection of residual liquid.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting system comprising a liquid container with a liquid storage portion, a pouring portion, a supply portion, and a discharge portion, coupled with a liquid collection container that includes a collection coupling portion and a container for storing collected liquid, allowing for the hydraulic collection of residual liquid from the liquid container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the liquid container is fixed firmly to the casing with a fixing portion such as screws, then the liquid container is stable and not affected by external impact during transport, but the liquid container becomes difficult to remove from the casing for liquid discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of liquid containerVSAvoidease of removing liquid container

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid container is divided into two main parts: a fixed portion that attaches to the casing and a removable portion that can be detached for liquid discharge. The fixed portion includes the container body and fixing portions, while the removable portion includes the liquid discharge port and coupling portion, allowing stable mounting during operation and easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid discharge port is extracted as a separate removable portion from the main container body. This allows the liquid discharge function to be separated from the fixed mounting function, enabling the container to remain stable during operation while allowing easy liquid discharge by removing only the discharge port portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the tube is press-fitted into the liquid supply portion, then the liquid supply connection is secure, but the tube becomes not easily removable or insertable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of liquid supply connectionVSAvoidease of tube installation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tube connection structure uses elastic deformation to achieve both secure connection and easy installation/removal. The tube is designed to elastically expand when inserted into the liquid supply portion and maintain pressure for a secure connection, while allowing simple push-pull installation and removal without special tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the liquid container structure does not consider removal of liquid, then the structure is simple, but liquid may spill during removal from the liquid supply portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of liquid container structureVSAvoidliquid spill during disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid discharge port is provided with a coupling portion that can be connected to a liquid collection container before removing the tube from the liquid supply portion. This preliminary connection ensures that any liquid remaining in the tube or container is directed to the collection container, preventing spills during the tube removal process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid collection container serves as an intermediary between the liquid container and the external environment during liquid discharge. It receives and contains any liquid that may spill during the removal process, acting as a buffer that prevents environmental contamination while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient and environmentally friendly collection of residual liquid, reducing the risk of spills and contamination by allowing for the easy discharge and collection of liquid from the container, thus minimizing environmental impact during disposal.

Implementation Method 1

moving and collecting the liquid in the liquid container into the liquid collection container by hydraulic head pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS20240408878A1Liquid ejecting system, liquid collection container, and liquid collection method

Publication Date: 2024.12.12 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting system includes a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with an ejection head that ejects liquid and a liquid container capable of storing liquid supplied to the ejection head, and a liquid collection container. The liquid container includes a liquid storage portion capable of storing liquid, a liquid pouring portion that pours liquid into the liquid storage portion, a liquid supply portion that supplies liquid to the ejection head, and a liquid discharge portion that discharges the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion to the outside. The liquid collection container includes a collection coupling portion capable of coupling with the liquid discharge portion, and a collection container portion that stores liquid collected from the liquid container through coupling between the liquid discharge portion and the collection coupling portion.