Modular Liquid Supply System for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses require different configurations for various types of liquid supply systems, leading to increased manufacturing and management costs due to the need for distinct structures for different ejection capabilities and tubular diameters.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring a common support member with removable and movable guide portions that can accommodate multiple types of liquid supply systems, allowing for the use of common parts across different ejection capabilities and tubular diameters, including a transport auxiliary apparatus and circulating portion with removable joint portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different configurations of liquid supply systems are used for various ejection capabilities, then the liquid supply capability matches the ejection capability, but the manufacturing cost and management cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple types of liquid supply systems with different ejection capabilities. The guide portion includes a guide groove and guide surface that can guide nozzles of different diameters, allowing a single support member to serve multiple functions for different liquid ejecting heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply system is divided into separable components: the liquid supply path, the liquid ejecting head, and the support member. This segmentation allows the liquid ejecting head to be detached and replaced independently while reusing the support member, reducing manufacturing and management costs.
2Reliability
If different configurations of liquid supply systems are used for various ejection capabilities, then the liquid supply capability matches the ejection capability, but the management cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member serves as a universal component that can support different types of liquid ejecting heads with varying ejection capabilities. By standardizing the support member design with adaptable guide portions, the system reduces the variety of parts that need to be managed while maintaining compatibility with different liquid supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion of the support member is designed with dynamic adaptability through its guide groove and guide surface configuration, allowing it to accommodate nozzles of different diameters. This dynamic capability enables the same support member to adapt to different liquid ejecting heads without requiring multiple specialized support structures.
3Device complexity
If the guide portion is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different tubular diameters of liquid supply systems
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is designed with a guide groove that provides dynamic adaptability for accommodating nozzles of different diameters. The guide surface within the groove can contact and guide nozzles of varying sizes, allowing the same fixed structure to adapt to different tubular diameters without requiring multiple specialized guides.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion utilizes parameter changes in the guide groove geometry to accommodate different nozzle diameters. By designing the groove with specific dimensional characteristics and guide surface profiles, the structure can adapt to various tubular diameters while maintaining a relatively simple overall form.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a liquid, a liquid supply system that supplies a liquid to the liquid ejecting head, and a support member provided with a guide portion that supports and guides at least a part of the liquid supply system. Removable joint portions are provided at both ends of the liquid supply system including the part, and a plurality of types of liquid supply systems can be mounted on the support member.