Waste Liquid Storage Positioning for Printer Workability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face poor workability during the exchange of the waste liquid storage body, particularly when installed with the rear surface against a wall, requiring reorientation or movement to access the waste liquid storage body, and there is a demand to maintain compactness without increasing the apparatus's size.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with a holding section for the waste liquid storage body positioned downstream of the head support portion in the transport direction and above the discharge section, allowing for improved accessibility and compactness by utilizing the space above the discharge section for the waste liquid storage, which includes two roller pairs disposed at different positions in the transport direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the waste liquid storage body is disposed at the rear portion of the housing, then the liquid ejecting apparatus can maintain a compact size, but the workability of exchanging the waste liquid storage body deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the waste liquid storage body from the rear portion (horizontal dimension) to the upper portion (vertical dimension) of the liquid ejecting head. This dimensional change allows the storage body to be positioned in the upper space above the discharge section, making it accessible from the front side while maintaining compact overall dimensions. The holding section is specifically designed to hold the waste liquid storage body in this upper position, enabling easy exchange without requiring rear access.
2Area of stationary object
If the liquid ejecting apparatus is installed with the rear surface against a wall, then space utilization is improved, but access to the waste liquid storage body becomes impossible without reorientation or movement
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the waste liquid storage body to the upper portion of the apparatus and providing a holding section that facilitates access from the front, the patent enables users to exchange the storage body even when the rear is against a wall. The front-side accessibility is achieved through the holding section design that allows removal and installation without requiring rear access or apparatus reorientation.
3Ease of operation
If the holding section is positioned to improve exchange workability, then accessibility is enhanced, but the apparatus size may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holding section is designed to serve multiple functions: it holds the waste liquid storage body in an accessible position, provides a structure for easy removal and installation, and utilizes the upper space that would otherwise be empty. By integrating the holding section into the existing structure above the discharge section, the patent achieves improved exchange workability without adding significant volume to the apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a transport section which transports a medium in a transport direction, a liquid ejecting head which ejects a liquid onto the medium, a carriage which supports the liquid ejecting head, a liquid storage container which stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head, and an discharge section which discharges the medium onto which the liquid is ejected. The liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a holding section which holds a waste liquid box configured to store the liquid eliminated from the liquid ejecting head as a waste liquid. The holding section is disposed at a position downstream of the carriage in the transport direction and above the discharge section.