Liquid Ejecting Device With Asymmetric Waste Ink Receiver
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting devices, such as those described in JP-A-2018-130911, fail to effectively manage waste ink buildup on media prone to strike-through, leading to inefficiencies and waste ink accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting device with a liquid receiving section that includes a side surface portion extending upward along the longitudinal direction of the bottom and no side surface portion along the short-length direction, utilizing a treatment solution to solidify pigment ink, and featuring a detachable design with protrusion and recessed shapes for easy handling and coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a conventional ink receiving section is used, then the structure is simple, but waste ink accumulates and cannot be effectively collected
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid receiving section is divided into multiple compartments separated by partition walls, allowing different types of liquids (pigment ink and treatment solution) to be collected separately. This segmentation enables effective waste ink collection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the liquid receiving section and the exterior. The filter allows selective passage of liquids while preventing waste ink accumulation, serving as a mediator that simplifies the collection process without requiring complex drainage mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid receiving section has side surface portions at all end portions, then the structure is complete, but handling and coupling become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid receiving section features asymmetric geometry with side surface portions at only the longitudinal end portions but not at the short-length end portions. This asymmetric design simplifies handling and coupling operations by providing clear orientation cues and easier engagement, while the shape remains complete enough to fulfill its reception function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If treatment solution is not used, then the process is simple, but pigment ink remains fluid and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment solution changes the physical parameters of the pigment ink by altering its viscosity and fluidity. This parameter change transforms the ink from a fluid state to a more manageable semi-solid state, facilitating effective collection and disposal while maintaining a relatively simple ejecting section structure.
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
The solution simplifies the structure, enhances handling, and reduces waste ink accumulation by solidifying the ink, allowing easy elongation and replacement of the liquid receiving section without complex mechanisms, thus improving efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the treatment solution reacts to reduce the fluidity of the pigment ink, and causes it to solidify with the passage of time
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting device according to the present disclosure includes a liquid ejecting section configured to eject a liquid to a medium, and a liquid receiving section disposed at a position facing the liquid ejecting section with the medium being interposed between the liquid receiving section and the liquid ejecting section, and configured to receive the liquid. The liquid ejecting section includes an ink head configured to eject pigment ink, and also includes a treatment solution head configured to eject a treatment solution. The liquid receiving section includes a bottom and a side surface portion. The side surface portion is provided at both end portions along a longitudinal direction of the bottom so as to extend toward an upper side, and a side surface portion is not provided at both end portions along a short-length direction of the bottom.