Liquid Ejection Apparatus Lid Sliding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection apparatus faces challenges with increased size due to the placement of the tank storage portion, leading to space constraints during installation, and potential damage or toppling issues when the lid is slid or pivoted.
Innovation Solution
The tank storage portion is configured to protrude forward, with a lid that slides upward for opening, eliminating the need for additional space in the right-left direction and preventing damage by avoiding contact with other components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the tank storage portion is provided at the side surface of the housing, then the liquid ejection apparatus can accommodate the tank, but the size of the apparatus increases in the right-left direction, occupying more installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the tank storage portion from the side surface to the front surface of the housing. This dimensional repositioning allows the tank to be stored in the front-rear direction rather than occupying side space, effectively reducing the right-left footprint while maintaining tank accommodation capability
2Reliability
If the lid is attached to slide in the right-left direction to close the opening, then the opening can be sealed, but the lid protrudes from the housing in the right-left direction when slid, requiring additional installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The lid's sliding direction is changed from the right-left direction to the front-rear direction. This allows the lid to seal the opening effectively while moving along the depth of the housing rather than protruding sideways, eliminating the need for additional right-left installation space
3Ease of operation
If the lid is pivotably attached to the housing, then the opening can be opened, but space on the front side is needed for pivotal movement, and the lid may be damaged or housing may topple over
Solution Approach 1:
The lid attachment mechanism is changed from pivotal (rotational) to sliding (linear) in the front-rear direction. This eliminates the need for arc-shaped movement space on the front side and prevents the toppling risk associated with pivotal attachment, while maintaining easy access to the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejector; a housing including a tank storage portion in which is stored a tank for accommodating a liquid to be supplied to the ejector, the housing having an opening through which the tank storage portion and an exterior of the housing communicate; a lid attached to the housing and configured to be selectively positioned at one of a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; and an operation panel including an operating portion which is provided for at least one of front and upper surfaces of the housing and which is to be externally operated, wherein the lid is attached to the housing so as to be slidable in an up-down direction with respect to the housing, the lid being positioned at the open position by sliding upward from the closed position.