Movable Support Face Prevents Foreign Matter in Liquid Ejection Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection apparatuses, when the first casing is moved to a distant position, the support face of the support portion is exposed, making it susceptible to foreign matter attachment, which can lead to soiling of the recording medium and conveyance failures.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a movable first casing and a second casing, featuring a restraining portion and a controller that controls a moving device to position the support face away from the ejection face when the first casing is at the distant position, preventing foreign matter attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the first casing is moved to a distant position to form a work space, then the conveyance path is opened and work space is formed, but the support face is exposed to foreign matters
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is made movable between a first state (facing the ejection face) and a second state (not facing the ejection face). When the first casing is at the distant position, the support portion automatically transitions to the second state, preventing foreign matter attachment while maintaining work space accessibility. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and protection from harmful factors.
2Reliability
If the support face faces the ejection face continuously, then recording medium support is maintained, but foreign matters can attach to the exposed support face
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion dynamically changes its orientation based on the position of the first casing. When the first casing is close, the support face faces the ejection face to maintain support function. When the first casing moves to the distant position, the support portion rotates to the second state, preventing foreign matter attachment while preserving the support function when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion proactively changes to the second state (not facing the ejection face) before foreign matter can attach, when the first casing is moved to the distant position. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect before it occurs, while the support function is restored when the first casing returns to the close position.
3Ease of operation
If the first casing is movable between close and distant positions, then work space accessibility is improved, but the support face exposure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion's orientation is dynamically linked to the first casing's position. As the first casing moves between close and distant positions, the support portion automatically adjusts its state accordingly. This dynamic coordination maintains both conveyance path accessibility and support face protection, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a first casing; a second casing; and a controller, wherein the first casing is movable between a close position close to the second casing and a distant position farther from the second casing than the close position, the first casing accommodating a head having an ejection face. The second casing accommodates: a support portion having a support face for supporting a recording medium while facing the ejection face; and a moving device configured to move the support portion, such that the support face selectively takes a first state to face the ejection face and a second state not to face the ejection face. A restraining portion restrains movement of the first casing located at the close position, and the controller controls the moving device, such that the support face takes the second state when the controller has received a restraint releasing signal.