Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Maintenance via Dynamic Liquid Level Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the position of the liquid surface in the cleaning liquid tank, limiting the maintenance flexibility and efficiency, especially when the tank is filled with cleaning liquid.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting apparatus with a maintenance method that includes a liquid receiving portion for accommodating a second liquid, a maintenance portion to adjust the liquid surface to an upper limit position, and a discharge portion to manage the liquid, allowing for effective maintenance operations by adjusting the liquid surface position and discharging liquids from the apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the cleaning liquid tank is filled with cleaning liquid and the liquid surface position is aligned with the upper end, then the liquid receiving portion is fully utilized, but the position of the liquid surface cannot be changed and maintenance flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of cleaning liquidVSAvoidmaintenance flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a liquid level adjustment mechanism that enables the liquid surface position in the cleaning liquid tank to be dynamically changed. This allows the system to adapt between different maintenance modes: when the liquid surface is at the upper end, the tank is fully utilized for cleaning; when adjusted to a lower position, it accommodates different maintenance requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by making the previously fixed liquid surface position variable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of stationary object

If the liquid receiving portion is filled to the upper end, then storage capacity is maximized, but maintenance operations become limited and less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity of cleaning liquid tankVSAvoidmaintenance efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing a liquid level adjustment mechanism, the system can dynamically change the liquid surface position to optimize for different operational requirements. When maintenance efficiency is the priority, the liquid level can be adjusted to an appropriate position that facilitates maintenance operations while still utilizing the tank's storage capacity effectively. This resolves the contradiction between maximizing storage and optimizing maintenance efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the liquid surface position is fixed at the upper end, then the tank structure is simple, but the specification for maintaining the liquid ejecting portion is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetank structure complexityVSAvoidmaintenance capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a liquid level adjustment mechanism that adds controlled complexity to the tank structure. This mechanism includes components such as an adjustment device and control system that enable the liquid surface position to be changed. While this increases device complexity slightly, it dramatically improves maintenance capability by allowing the liquid level to be adjusted to positions that facilitate various maintenance operations, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and maintenance capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10875309B2Liquid ejecting apparatus and maintenance method for liquid ejecting apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.12.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • US10875309B2 patent drawing
  • US10875309B2 patent drawing
  • US10875309B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting portion configured to eject a first liquid from a nozzle, a liquid receiving portion configured to receive, in a state where a second liquid is accommodated in the liquid receiving portion, for a purpose of maintenance of the liquid ejecting portion, the first liquid discharged from the nozzle, a maintenance portion that maintains a liquid surface of a liquid accommodated in the liquid receiving portion at an upper limit position, and a discharge portion configured to discharge, from a discharge port open to the liquid receiving portion, the liquid accommodated in the liquid receiving portion. The discharge port is positioned below the upper limit position.