Modular Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Base Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printers require significant design changes and increased development time and cost when modifying ink tank configurations, such as changing from an ink tank type to a cartridge type, necessitating alterations to the entire housing design.
Innovation Solution
A modular design for liquid ejecting apparatuses, where a detachable sub-base section includes the liquid tank, waste liquid container, and fluid containing chamber, allowing these components to be changed independently without modifying the main base section, thereby reducing development time and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire housing design is changed to modify ink tank configuration, then the design flexibility is improved, but the development period is extended and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a main body and a detachable sub-base section. The sub-base section can be independently modified or replaced to accommodate different ink tank configurations (e.g., ink tank type, cartridge type, off-carriage type, or on-carriage type) without requiring changes to the main housing structure, thereby reducing development time and cost while maintaining design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-base section containing the ink tank is extracted as a separate detachable component from the main housing. This allows the ink tank configuration to be independently modified by simply replacing or modifying the sub-base section, rather than redesigning the entire housing, thus resolving the contradiction between design flexibility and development time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire housing design is changed to modify ink tank configuration, then the design flexibility is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a main body and a detachable sub-base section. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce different sub-base sections for different ink tank configurations using the same main housing, thereby reducing tooling costs and simplifying manufacturing processes while maintaining design adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The main housing is designed with universal compatibility to accommodate multiple types of sub-base sections (ink tank type, cartridge type, off-carriage type, on-carriage type). This multi-functionality allows a single main housing design to support various ink tank configurations, reducing development cost while maintaining design flexibility.
3Shape
If the ink tank is housed in the housing to improve outer appearance, then the aesthetic design is improved, but the design modularity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ink tank housing is segmented as a detachable sub-base section that can be independently designed and modified. This segmentation maintains the integrated aesthetic appearance when assembled, while allowing modular changes to ink tank configurations without redesigning the main housing, thus resolving the contradiction between appearance and modularity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting section having a nozzle that is configured to eject liquid; a liquid tank that is configured to receive the liquid ejected from the nozzle, and is disposed at a separate position from the liquid ejecting section; a waste liquid containing chamber that stores liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting section or waste liquid generated during a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting section; a main base section which includes at least the liquid ejecting section and constitutes a base of the apparatus; and a sub base section which includes at least one of the liquid tank and the waste liquid containing chamber and is detachably attached to the main base section, and constitutes a base of the apparatus together with the main base section.