Inkjet Printer Handle Asymmetry for Leak-Resistant Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting devices face the risk of liquid leakage during transportation due to tilting when handles of different heights are used, causing the device to tilt relative to its normal posture.
Innovation Solution
The device is designed with a storage portion between the ejecting portion and one side surface, and handles positioned such that the first handle is higher than the second handle, aligning with the direction of gravity to prevent tilting and stabilize the device during lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If handles are positioned at different heights to enable size reduction, then device compactness is improved, but device stability during lifting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the first handle at a different height than the second handle (first handle higher than second handle in gravity direction). This asymmetric arrangement allows the device to be lifted in a tilted posture that actually maintains stability, as the tilted lifting posture aligns with the natural tilt of the liquid ejecting device during normal operation. The asymmetric handle positioning resolves the contradiction by making the device compact while maintaining stability through the specific asymmetric configuration.
2Ease of operation
If device is tilted during lifting due to handle positioning, then ease of lifting is improved, but liquid leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric handle positioning (first handle higher than second handle) creates a specific tilted lifting posture that coincides with the natural operational tilt of the liquid ejecting device. This asymmetric configuration ensures that when the device is lifted, the ejecting portion tilts in the same direction as during normal operation, preventing liquid leakage while maintaining ease of lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of handle positioning, specifically setting the first handle higher than the second handle in the gravity direction. This parameter change transforms the lifting posture from vertical to tilted, which paradoxically improves both ease of lifting and prevents liquid leakage by aligning the tilt with the device's natural operational orientation.
3Volume of moving object
If storage portion is positioned between ejecting portion and side surface, then device compactness is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning the storage portion (which stores liquid for the ejecting portion) between the ejecting portion and the side surface of the housing. This nested arrangement allows the storage portion to be integrated within the existing structural space, achieving compactness without significantly increasing structural complexity. The storage portion is effectively nested within the housing structure, sharing the same spatial envelope.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration stabilizes the device during transportation, preventing liquid leakage by maintaining a stable posture and reducing shaking, thus ensuring safe handling and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first handle portion Hd1 is positioned higher than the second handle portion Hd2 in the direction of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes: a head that ejects ink; a storage portion that stores the ink to be supplied to the head and is coupled to the head; a main body that includes the head and the storage portion; a first handle portion that is grippable and provided in a left side surface of the main body; and a second handle portion that is grippable and provided in a right side surface of the main body, the right side surface facing the left side surface, in which the storage portion is provided at a position between the head and the left side surface in an X-axis direction, and the first handle portion is positioned higher than the second handle portion in the direction of gravity.