Liquid Discharge Apparatus Tank Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in efficiently arranging a sheet accommodating portion and a tank within a casing, leading to increased size due to the need for larger volumes to minimize replenishment time, resulting in larger apparatus dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The tank is positioned between the casing's surfaces and the sheet accommodating portion, allowing its range to overlap partially with the sheet accommodating portion in both the left-right and up-down directions, optimizing space usage within the casing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the volume of the sheet accommodating portion and tank is increased to minimize replenishment time, then the productivity is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is positioned between the first surface of the casing and the sheet accommodating portion, with overlapping ranges in the second and third directions. This nested arrangement allows the tank to utilize the space above the sheet accommodating portion, enabling both components to occupy the same vertical projection area without interfering with each other's function. Consequently, the apparatus can maintain larger component volumes for improved productivity while keeping the overall footprint dimensions reduced.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the volume of the sheet accommodating portion and tank is increased to minimize replenishment time, then the duration of action is improved, but the volume of stationary object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension (first direction) to arrange the tank above the sheet accommodating portion, while allowing horizontal overlap in the second and third directions. This dimensional arrangement transforms the problem from a two-dimensional layout constraint to a three-dimensional space utilization solution, enabling both components to have increased volumes without proportionally increasing the apparatus's external dimensions.
3Area of stationary object
If the tank is positioned to overlap with the sheet accommodating portion, then the area of stationary object is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is positioned between the first surface of the casing and the sheet accommodating portion, with overlapping ranges in the second and third directions. This nested arrangement allows the tank to utilize the space above the sheet accommodating portion, enabling both components to occupy the same vertical projection area without interfering with each other's function. Consequently, the apparatus can maintain larger component volumes for improved productivity while keeping the overall footprint dimensions reduced.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a casing having: a first surface and a second surface positioned apart in a first direction; a third surface and a fourth surface positioned apart in a second direction; and a fifth surface and a sixth surface positioned apart in a third direction; a head; a tank storing a liquid to be supplied to the head; and a sheet accommodating portion accommodating a sheet. The tank is positioned between the first surface and the sheet accommodating portion in the first direction. A range occupied by the tank at least partially overlaps with a range occupied by the sheet accommodating portion in the second direction. A range occupied by the tank at least partially overlaps with a range occupied by the sheet accommodating portion in the third direction.