Medium Processing Liquid Tank Attachment With Secure Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medium processing apparatuses, such as water-added crimp binding apparatuses, lack a convenient attachment-and-detachment mechanism for the water supply tank, making it difficult for users to easily replenish liquid.

Innovation Solution

A medium processing apparatus with a liquid applier, first and second liquid storage tanks, and a locking mechanism that allows for easy attachment and detachment of the second liquid storage tank, facilitating liquid supply operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flat surface water supply tank is used for easy attachment and detachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of liquid supply is worsened due to insufficient locking mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidreliability of liquid supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water supply tank is divided into a detachable tank body and a separate locking mechanism. The tank body can be easily attached and detached from the liquid storage tray, while the locking mechanism separately ensures reliable positioning. This segmentation allows independent optimization of ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the water supply tank and the liquid storage tray. It provides a reliable connection while allowing the tank to be easily detached when needed, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of secure attachment and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is used to ensure reliable liquid supply, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of liquid supplyVSAvoidcomplexity of attachment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, independent component from the water supply tank. This allows the locking mechanism to be simplified and optimized for reliability without adding complexity to the tank structure itself. The locking mechanism can be easily attached to or removed from the liquid storage tray as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the attachment and detachment of the water supply tank. This self-service functionality reduces the need for complex control systems or additional actuators, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable liquid supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4641303A1Medium processing apparatus and image forming system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4641303A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4641303A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4641303A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A medium processing apparatus includes a liquid applier (31) to apply liquid to a part of a medium to perform liquid application, a first liquid storage (44) to store the liquid used for the liquid application of the liquid applier, a second liquid storage (47, 61) to store the liquid to be supplied to the first liquid storage, and a liquid supplier (45, 46) to perform a liquid supply operation to supply the liquid from the second liquid storage to the first liquid storage. The second liquid storage includes a liquid storage tray (96) connected to the liquid supplier, a liquid storage tank (47) to store the liquid and is attachable to and detachable from the liquid storage tray, and a locking mechanism (95) to restrict a position of the liquid storage tank attached to the liquid storage tray.