Printer Pump Extraction for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recording apparatuses, the long ink supply tube leads to increased flow resistance and the need for a pump to overcome this resistance, limiting design flexibility and requiring access to the casing body for maintenance, which complicates maintenance and increases the operation area needed.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design where the pump is positioned in a support unit on the outer side of the casing body, allowing for easy maintenance without opening the casing body, and the liquid container is protected within a case that can be removed independently, reducing the space required for maintenance and preventing the apparatus from increasing in size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump is provided inside the casing body, then the liquid can be sent from the liquid container to the recording section, but the casing body must be opened for maintenance which increases the operation area needed
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the casing body and relocated to the support unit on the outer side. This allows the pump to be maintained by simply removing the support unit without opening the casing body, thus reducing the operation area needed for maintenance while improving maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The support unit is designed as a separate, detachable component from the casing body. This segmentation allows the support unit containing the pump to be independently removed for maintenance, eliminating the need to open the casing body and reducing the maintenance operation area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ink supply tube is made long to reach from the outer ink pack to the inner recording section, then the liquid container can be positioned externally, but the flow resistance increases making it difficult for liquid to flow
Solution Approach 1:
The pump acts as an intermediary device that actively transports liquid through the ink supply tube. This overcomes the flow resistance caused by the long tube length, enabling both external liquid container positioning (design flexibility) and reliable liquid flow to the recording section.
3Reliability
If the liquid container is sealed off, then the liquid can be contained effectively, but a pump is required to send liquid which complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is extracted from the casing body and placed on the outer support unit. This maintains the sealed liquid container for reliable containment while positioning the pump externally, reducing overall structural complexity and improving maintenance accessibility.
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
Facilitates easy maintenance of the pump and reduces the operation area needed, while protecting the liquid container and preventing the apparatus from enlarging, by positioning the pump in a support unit on the outer casing body and containing it within a removable case.
Implementation Method 1
a pump which is arranged in the support unit and which sends the liquid which is contained in the liquid container to the recording section via the liquid supply tube
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a frame which holds a recording section, a support unit which is provided on the outer side of the frame and which supports liquid containers which contain the liquid which is to be ejected from the recording section, liquid supply tubes which supply the liquid which is contained in the liquid containers to the recording section, and a pump which is arranged in the support unit and which sends the liquid which is contained in the liquid containers to the recording section via the liquid supply tubes.