Recording Apparatus with Overlapping Ink and Paper Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink containers with increased capacity lead to an increase in the size of recording apparatuses, particularly in the height direction, when arranged vertically with paper-feeding trays.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design with medium containing units arranged vertically, where the first unit at the uppermost position is smaller in the medium feeding-out direction than the second unit, and the liquid containing units are positioned above the second unit to overlap vertically, optimizing space utilization and reducing height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ink containers are increased in capacity to satisfy demand, then ink-containing capacity is improved, but the size of the apparatus in the height direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a simple vertical stacking arrangement to a multi-dimensional layout where ink containers are positioned to overlap with medium containing units in the vertical direction when viewed from the side. This spatial reconfiguration allows ink containers to be arranged both above and beside medium containing units, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space rather than being constrained to a single vertical column, thereby increasing ink capacity without proportionally increasing apparatus height
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where ink containers are positioned within the vertical projection area of medium containing units. Specifically, ink containers are arranged above second medium containing units while overlapping with first medium containing units when viewed from the side, creating a nested spatial relationship that maximizes space utilization and reduces the overall apparatus height
2Device complexity
If paper-feeding tray and ink containers are arranged simply in vertical direction, then device complexity is reduced, but the size of the apparatus in the height direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a more complex spatial arrangement where ink containers are positioned to overlap with medium containing units in the vertical direction when viewed from the side. This multi-dimensional configuration, while more complex than simple vertical stacking, efficiently utilizes available space and reduces apparatus height by arranging components in both vertical and lateral dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a plurality of medium containing units that is provided along a vertical direction and contains a medium before recording, a liquid ejecting head that performs recording by ejecting liquid toward the medium, and at least one liquid containing unit that contains the liquid. The plurality of medium containing units includes a first medium containing unit located at an uppermost position, and a second medium containing unit located below the first medium containing unit. A size of the first medium containing unit in a medium feeding-out direction, in which the medium is fed out, is smaller than a size of the second medium containing unit in the medium feeding-out direction, and the at least one liquid containing unit is provided above the second medium containing unit in such a way as to overlap with the first medium containing unit in a vertical direction.