Recording device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices fail to efficiently remove odors caused by recording materials due to diffusion within the housing, leading to incomplete odor removal.

Innovation Solution

A recording device with a medium support portion, a head that ejects liquid, an irradiation unit, a carriage, a moving mechanism, and first and second deodorization portions, where the deodorization portions are positioned to overlap the medium support portion, effectively capturing odors as the carriage moves, using ultraviolet rays to cure ink and minimize interference with the recording process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single gas cleaning unit is used to remove odors, then the device structure is simple, but the odor removal efficiency is insufficient due to diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeodorization structureVSAvoidodor removal efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gas cleaning function is divided into multiple independent deodorization portions (first and second deodorization portions) positioned at different locations. Each portion processes air from its specific region, segmenting the odor removal task to improve overall efficiency while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Deodorization portions are arranged in both the traveling direction (first direction) and the width direction (second direction) of the carriage, creating a three-dimensional deodorization network. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures comprehensive odor capture throughout the housing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If deodorization portions are added to improve odor removal, then odor removal efficiency increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodor removal efficiencyVSAvoiddeodorization structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deodorization portions use identical structures with the same components (gas cleaning units, air inlets, air outlets). This universal design allows multiple deodorization units to be deployed without proportionally increasing complexity, as each unit is a standardized module that can be replicated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple deodorization portions are integrated into the housing structure, sharing common structural elements and spatial arrangement patterns. The first and second deodorization portions are positioned symmetrically and functionally, merging their design approaches to reduce overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the carriage moves to perform recording, then recording coverage is improved, but odor diffusion increases making removal harder

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording coverageVSAvoidodor diffusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Air circulation serves as an intermediary mechanism that connects the moving carriage and the stationary deodorization portions. The air flow mediates between the odor source (moving with carriage) and the deodorization units (fixed), continuously transporting odors from the carriage path to the deodorization portions for processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The deodorization system operates continuously during carriage movement, maintaining constant air circulation and odor processing. This continuous action ensures that odors generated throughout the recording process are immediately captured and removed, preventing accumulation and diffusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The configuration allows for efficient odor removal without disrupting the recording operation, ensuring a cleaner environment within the device.

Implementation Method 1

an irradiation unit that emits an ultraviolet ray toward the medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet irradiation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12504188B2Recording device

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a recording device including: a medium support portion that supports a medium, a head that ejects a liquid toward the medium, an irradiation unit that emits an ultraviolet ray toward the medium, a carriage on which the head and the irradiation unit are mounted, a moving mechanism that relatively moves the medium supported by the medium support portion and the carriage in a first direction along a first axis and in a second direction along a second axis intersecting the first axis, a first deodorization portion and a second deodorization portion, which perform deodorization, and a housing that accommodates the medium support portion, the carriage, the first deodorization portion, and the second deodorization portion, in which the first deodorization portion and the second deodorization portion are disposed such that at least a part of the medium support portion overlaps a position between the first deodorization portion and the second deodorization portion in a plan view.