Pivotable Ink Cover for Space-Constrained Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers require additional space behind the device to accommodate a sliding cover for ink injection, causing inconvenience, especially in limited spaces, as users need to relocate the printer to access the rear for ink refilling.
Innovation Solution
An ink-accommodation unit with a pivotably movable cover that can be opened to expose the injection portion without requiring additional space, allowing ink injection without the need for rearward space, reducing the overall desk space occupation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding cover is used to access the injection portion, then the injection function is provided, but additional space behind the printer is required for cover sliding operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is changed from a sliding mechanism to a pivotable mechanism that can rotate between a closed position (covering the injection portion) and an open position (exposing the injection portion). This dynamic mechanism allows the cover to be opened without requiring additional rearward space, as the rotation occurs in a different spatial plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover opening motion is transitioned from a linear sliding motion (requiring rearward space) to a rotational motion about a pivot axis. By changing the dimension of motion from translation along the rear direction to rotation about a side pivot axis, the injection portion becomes accessible without occupying additional desk space behind the printer.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is opened to expose the injection portion, then ink can be injected, but the ink-amount display screen may be obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot axis is positioned asymmetrically at a side of the first member closer to the printer main body, rather than at the center or rear. This asymmetric pivot axis placement causes the cover to rotate in a manner that exposes the injection portion while minimizing overlap with the ink-amount display screen, thereby reducing obstruction of the display function.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer further includes a printer main body, and an ink-accommodation unit including a first member and a second member. The first member is configured to accommodate ink to be supplied to the printer main body. The first member includes an injection portion for injection of ink. The second member is pivotably movably connected to the first member. The second member is pivotable relative to the first member between a closed position and an open position. When the second member is at the closed position, the injection portion is covered by the second member. When the second member is at the open position, the injection portion is exposed. Here, an axis of the pivot is parallel to a front-rear direction of the first member, and is positioned at a side of the first member, the side being closer to the printer main body.