Meandering Flow Path for Ink Mist Control in Liquid Ejection Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with ink mist adhering to device components and leaking outside, causing operational inefficiencies and user safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device with a meandering flow path between the device main body and the reading unit, featuring projection portions that narrow and meander the flow path, effectively capturing ink mist and preventing its adhesion to operation units and leakage outside the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a scanner unit is provided at the upper part of the printer main body, then imaging function is improved, but ink mist adheres to the scanner unit and causes harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
A flow path formation portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the liquid ejection head and the scanner unit. This flow path formation portion includes a meandering formation portion that redirects the gaseous body flow, preventing direct contact between ink mist and the scanner unit while maintaining the scanner's imaging function.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful gaseous body containing ink mist is extracted and redirected away from the scanner unit through the flow path formation portion. The meandering formation portion creates a dedicated flow path that separates the ink mist transport route from the scanner unit, removing the harmful effect while preserving the scanner's functionality.
2Device complexity
If the gaseous body flows directly from the liquid ejection head to the outside, then structure is simple, but ink mist leaks outside the device
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into distinct portions: a straight flow path section and a meandering flow path section. The meandering formation portion is further divided into multiple meander formation sections that create zigzag patterns. This segmentation allows the flow path to be simple overall while incorporating specific meandering sections that prevent ink mist leakage through controlled redirection.
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 meandering flow path design inhibits the flow of gaseous bodies containing ink mist, preventing adhesion to operation units and reducing the risk of ink mist leakage outside the device, thus enhancing operational reliability and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a meandering formation portion is provided to a part of the flow path, the meandering formation portion narrowing the flow path and causing the flow path to meander
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a device main body including a liquid ejection head configured to eject a liquid onto a medium, a reading unit configured to read an image on a document, and an operation unit on which a user performs an operation, wherein a flow path of a gaseous body is formed between the device main body and the reading unit, the gaseous body flowing in a direction from the liquid ejection head to the operation unit, and a meandering formation portion is provided to a part of the flow path, the meandering formation portion narrowing the flow path and causing the flow path to meander.