Recording Apparatus Ink Absorber Segmentation Platen
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining good exchangeability and adequate ink absorbing capacity, particularly in marginless recording, where ink absorbers are often inefficiently placed, leading to contamination risks and increased apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus design featuring a support member with liquid receiving portions for smaller media and absorbing material disposing portions for larger media, allowing the ink absorbing material to be exposed from the upper side, enhancing exchangeability and capacity while preventing ink retention and outflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the ink absorber is disposed on the back side of the platen to increase capacity, then the ink absorbing capacity is improved, but the exchangeability deteriorates because the platen must be removed for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into a platen and a separate ink absorber unit. The ink absorber is detachably attached to the platen, allowing it to be replaced independently without removing the platen itself. This segmentation enables users to easily exchange the ink absorber while maintaining the structural integrity of the platen.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink absorber is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the platen structure. By making the ink absorber detachable, the function of ink absorption is separated from the support function of the platen, allowing independent replacement of the ink absorber when its capacity is exhausted.
2Quantity of substance
If the ink absorber is extended to the downstream side in the sheet transport direction to improve capacity, then the ink absorbing capacity is improved, but the apparatus size increases due to extended transport path
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the ink absorber only in the sheet transport direction (one dimension), the invention utilizes the width direction (another dimension) by providing plural ink absorbers arranged side by side. This dimensional transition allows increased total absorption capacity without proportionally increasing the apparatus length.
3Quantity of substance
If the ink absorber is extended to the upstream side in the sheet transport direction to improve capacity, then the ink absorbing capacity is improved, but the back side of the sheet is contaminated due to contact with the ink absorber
Solution Approach 1:
The ink absorber is extracted and positioned on the back side of the platen, separated from the sheet surface. This spatial separation allows the ink absorber to absorb excess ink from the liquid receiving portion without coming into contact with the sheet, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining absorption function.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid receiving portion acts as an intermediary between the ink jet head and the ink absorber. It collects excess liquid before it can reach the sheet, and transfers it to the ink absorber for disposal, preventing direct contact between the ink absorber and the sheet.
4Device complexity
If a single ink absorber is used to absorb excess liquid, then the structure is simple, but the liquid absorbing capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single ink absorber is segmented into multiple ink absorbers arranged in plural. Each ink absorber handles a portion of the excess liquid, collectively providing sufficient absorption capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular repetition.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple ink absorbers are combined in parallel to achieve the required total absorption capacity. By merging the absorption functions of multiple units, the system handles larger volumes of excess liquid effectively without requiring a single complex large-capacity absorber.
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 secures a larger volume of ink absorbing material, improves exchangeability, and prevents ink contamination, making it suitable for various paper sizes and enhancing the overall recording performance.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid absorbing material which absorbs the liquid guided from the liquid receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
In a support member that is disposed to face a liquid emitting head and supports a medium, in a first region through which an edge of a first medium in a medium width direction passes, a liquid receiving portion is provided which receives a liquid emitted on a region deviated from the edge of the first medium in the medium width direction, and in a second region as a region through which an edge of a second medium in which a size thereof in the medium width direction is larger than that of the first medium passes, an absorbing material disposing portion at which a liquid absorbing material which absorbs the liquid guided from the liquid receiving portion is disposed to be capable of being exposed from an upper side of the support member is provided.