Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Waste Liquid Holding Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in efficiently collecting waste liquid that is discharged during the printing process, particularly in borderless printing, where ink droplets fall outside the paper edges and are difficult to manage within the transport path.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with a waste liquid holding section that includes a holding chamber positioned vertically beneath the medium supporting section, an inlet closer to the first end of the transport path to guide waste liquid from the first reception section, and an opening portion facing the second reception section to efficiently collect waste liquid generated inside and outside the transport path, utilizing a liquid guiding portion with a base end connected to the second reception section and a distal end inserted into the opening portion to guide waste liquid into the holding chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the waste liquid holding section is positioned to collect waste liquid from both the first reception section (outside transport path) and second reception section (inside transport path), then waste liquid collection efficiency is improved, but the apparatus requires more space and becomes more complex in configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate waste liquid collection functions into a single integrated waste liquid holding section. This holding section receives waste liquid from both the first reception section (for maintenance discharge) and the second reception section (for borderless printing overflow) through a unified structure, thereby improving collection efficiency while avoiding the need for separate collection systems that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste liquid holding section serves multiple functions: it collects waste liquid from the first reception section via the inlet, collects waste liquid from the second reception section through the opening portion, and maintains a unified holding chamber. This multi-functional design allows a single component to handle different waste liquid sources, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If the inlet is positioned closer to the first end to guide waste liquid from the first reception section, then waste liquid from outside the transport path is collected more efficiently, but waste liquid from the second reception section may have longer travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid holding section is designed with differentiated access points: the inlet is positioned closer to the first end to efficiently receive waste liquid from the first reception section, while the opening portion is positioned to face the second reception section. The holding chamber internally accommodates both waste liquid sources with appropriately positioned absorbent bodies, creating local optimization for each waste liquid source without compromising the other.
3Volume of moving object
If the holding chamber is positioned vertically beneath the medium supporting section, then the apparatus size is minimized, but the inlet and opening portion must be precisely positioned to ensure efficient waste liquid guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid holding section utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the holding chamber beneath the medium supporting section, effectively using the vertical space within the apparatus. This vertical arrangement allows the system to collect waste liquid from both horizontal locations (first end via inlet, second end via opening portion) while maintaining a compact footprint, thereby minimizing apparatus size while the internal geometry of the holding chamber accommodates the positioning requirements.
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
This configuration allows for prioritized collection of waste liquid near the second end of the transport path and efficient absorption by an absorbent body, minimizing apparatus size and enhancing waste liquid management within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent body capable of absorbing the waste liquid that is held in the holding concave portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit which ejects a liquid onto a medium being transported in a state in which an edge portion thereof is aligned with a second end side of a first end and the second end in a width direction intersecting a transport direction of a transport path, a first reception section which receives the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting unit as a waste liquid, a second reception section which receives the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting unit toward the edge portion and is not received by the medium as the waste liquid, and a waste liquid holding section which holds the waste liquid, the waste liquid holding section including an inlet to guide the waste liquid received by the first reception section.