Medium Storage Box Ink Ejection Redirection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional medium storage boxes have limited disposable space above the storage space due to the placement of the liquid ejection nozzle, which restricts the installation of members like upper guides or rollers.

Innovation Solution

The liquid ejection mechanism is configured to eject ink onto the lower face of an upper installation member, allowing the ink to flow and drip into the storage space, thereby applying ink to the medium without directly ejecting it from above, thus freeing up space for additional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the liquid ejection nozzle is disposed above the storage space to directly eject liquid onto the medium, then the liquid ejection function is simple and effective, but the disposable space for members (such as upper guides) above the storage space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisposable space above storage spaceVSAvoidliquid ejection mechanism configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid ejection nozzle is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the storage space) to a horizontal arrangement (at the rear end, ejecting toward the front). This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension resolves the conflict by freeing up the vertical space above the storage space for guide members while maintaining the liquid ejection function through a different spatial pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The front surface of the storage box acts as an intermediary surface where liquid is ejected first, then flows down to stain the medium. This intermediary approach allows the nozzle to be positioned at the rear while still achieving effective medium staining, thereby resolving the space conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If the liquid ejection nozzle is disposed above the storage space, then the structure is compact, but it restricts the installation of upper guides and other members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall device volumeVSAvoidinstallation flexibility for members

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid ejection pathway is redirected from the vertical dimension (above storage space) to the horizontal dimension (rear to front). This allows upper guides to be installed in the vertical space without interfering with the liquid ejection function, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining compactness through horizontal space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid ejection function is separated from the vertical space above the storage space and relocated to the rear horizontal position. This segmentation allows independent optimization of both the liquid ejection mechanism and the guide member installation space, enhancing overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the liquid ejection nozzle ejects liquid directly onto the medium from above, then the staining efficiency is high with small ink amount, but the space for member installation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestaining efficiencyVSAvoiddisposable space above storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The front surface of the storage box serves as an intermediary that receives liquid ejection from the rear nozzle and facilitates its flow onto the medium. This intermediary mechanism maintains staining efficiency by ensuring complete liquid transfer while enabling rear-positioned nozzle installation, thus preserving disposable space above the storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid flow from the rear nozzle to the front surface utilizes gravitational flow and surface tension dynamics to transport the liquid across the storage box front and onto the medium. This hydraulic approach maintains effective staining while allowing flexible nozzle positioning that preserves installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 enables a larger disposable space above the storage space, allowing for the installation of members like upper guides, while ensuring effective ink application to the medium, enhancing security and reducing the need for larger device sizes.

Implementation Method 1

liquid is ejected onto a lower face of an upper installation member disposed above the storage space... liquid flows and drips into the storage space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10260273B2Medium storage box and medium handling device

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

The degrees of freedom are increased for the layout for a member (for example, an upper guide or the like that restricts an up-down direction position of a medium) to be disposed above a storage space for storing a paper sheet-shaped medium, and a disposable space for the member is enlarged. A medium storage box having an internal storage space for storing a paper sheet-shaped medium includes an upper installation member (for example, a lid section) that is disposed above the storage space, and a liquid ejection mechanism that ejects liquid from a liquid ejection nozzle. A liquid ejection direction of the liquid ejection nozzle is set in a direction toward a lower face of the upper installation member.