Printing Device Partially Accommodated Liquid Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices with liquid containers face challenges in convenience, as they often require significant space and are prone to displacement due to external forces, making them less user-friendly, especially when area is limited.
Innovation Solution
The printing device incorporates a partially accommodated liquid container within the shell, with a protection member and aligning mechanism to stabilize and secure the liquid supply unit, allowing for easy filling and reduced footprint, while the liquid inlet is exposed for convenient refilling and protected from external impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the liquid container is entirely placed outside the shell, then the device occupies more area, but the liquid container is more accessible for filling
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid container is divided into two functional zones: the filling port region that protrudes outside the shell for easy access, and the storage body that is partially accommodated within the shell. This segmentation allows the device to occupy less area while maintaining filling accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid container is partially nested within the shell structure, with only the necessary filling portion extending outward. This nesting approach reduces the overall device footprint while preserving the functionality of the filling operation.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid container protrudes outside the shell, then the filling operation is easier, but the container is vulnerable to external forces and displacement
Solution Approach 1:
A protection member is provided that extends from the shell to cover the protruding portion of the liquid container. This protection member acts as a cushioning barrier against external forces, preventing displacement or damage to the container while allowing the filling operation to proceed smoothly.
3Area of stationary object
If the liquid container is partially accommodated in the shell, then the device footprint is reduced, but the liquid inlet must be exposed for filling
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member is designed with differentiated zones: a covering portion that protects the liquid container body from external contamination and forces, and an opening portion that exposes the liquid inlet for filling operations. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of protection and accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing device that is provided with a printing unit that uses a liquid to perform printing on a medium, with a liquid storage body, with a housing, and with a protective member. The housing internally houses the printing unit and one portion of the liquid storage body. The liquid storage body has a liquid storage chamber that can store liquid that is supplied to the printing unit, a liquid injection port that can inject liquid into the liquid storage chamber, and a protruding section that protrudes from the housing to the outside. The protective member covers the protruding section and protrudes from the housing in the protrusion direction of the liquid storage body.