Inkjet Printer Case Guard for Rigidity and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers require a separate external ink supply device for stable ink delivery, leading to increased manufacturing costs due to the need for high rigidity in the case to prevent deformation and damage during handling and movement.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design featuring a guard portion with higher rigidity than the case on its lower side, which prevents deformation and damage when grasped and lifted, while maintaining lower case rigidity to reduce manufacturing costs, and includes features like a gap between the guard and case, a finger-grip portion, and detachable mounting for enhanced handling and ink capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rigidity of the case is increased to prevent deformation and damage during handling, then the case can be safely grasped and lifted, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case structure is divided into two functional parts: the main case body with lower rigidity for cost-effective manufacturing, and a separate guard portion with high rigidity for protective function. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between overall strength and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire case highly rigid, the guard portion at the lower side is given high rigidity specifically where handling and grasping forces are applied. The rest of the case maintains lower rigidity, reducing material costs while providing protection where needed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the case is made with high rigidity to prevent deformation, then handling safety is improved, but the ink capacity is reduced due to increased material usage
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the protective function (guard portion) from the storage function (case body), the design allows the case body to be made thinner and lighter, maximizing ink capacity while the guard portion provides the necessary deformation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Rigidity is concentrated locally in the guard portion rather than distributed throughout the entire case structure. This localized reinforcement provides adequate deformation resistance while minimizing material usage, thereby preserving maximum ink capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording head capable of ejecting ink to a sheet; a sheet cassette that holds the sheet; a transport unit that transports the sheet to the recording head; a chassis which contains the recording head and the transport unit and into which the sheet cassette is inserted; an insertion port which is formed in a side surface of the chassis and through which the sheet cassette is inserted; an ink container that contains the ink; a case which is mounted on at least one side surface adjacent to the side surface in which the insertion port of the chassis is formed and accommodates the ink container; and a supply unit (connection tube) that supplies the ink from the ink container to an inside of the chassis. A guard portion with higher rigidity than the case is formed on a lower side of the case.