Pivotable Fluid Container Case for Inkjet Printer Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid ejection devices face challenges in accommodating larger capacity fluid-containing packs, leading to space and weight distribution issues, which can cause leakage and hinder maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A fluid ejection device design featuring a pivotably attached container case that houses the fluid-containing packs, allowing for easier access and maintenance, with holders that incline to prevent weight distribution issues and facilitate efficient stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fluid-containing packs of larger capacity are installed, then the fluid storage capacity is improved, but the weight distribution becomes unbalanced causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid storage capacityVSAvoidfluid leakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third dimension by pivoting the container case about a rotation shaft, allowing fluid-containing packs to be positioned at different heights and angles. This dimensional change enables large capacity packs to be accommodated while distributing weight along the pivot axis rather than concentrating it horizontally, preventing leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The container case is made dynamically adjustable through the pivotable attachment, allowing the orientation and position of fluid-containing packs to be changed. This dynamic positioning enables optimal weight distribution for large capacity packs, resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the container case is fixed and closed, then the structural stability is improved, but the maintenance accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The container case transitions from a fixed closed structure to a dynamically openable structure via pivotable attachment. The case can be closed for structural stability during operation and opened for maintenance accessibility, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The container case is segmented into an openable portion and a fixed portion, allowing selective access to the interior while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining closed structure. This segmentation enables both stability and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the container case is made openable, then the maintenance accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidcontainer case structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container case is divided into openable and fixed portions, with the openable portion pivotably attached. This simple segmentation provides maintenance accessibility without requiring complex mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8235508B2Installing fluid container in fluid ejection device

Publication Date: 2012.08.07 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid ejection unit, a main chassis case, a fluid-containing pack, and a container case. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The main chassis case houses the fluid ejection unit. The fluid-containing pack contains a fluid for ejection. The container case houses the fluid-containing pack. The container case is pivotably attached to the main chassis case and openable by rotation about a rotation shaft.