Rotatable Casing Mechanism for Inkjet Cartridge Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses lack an efficient mechanism for rotating casings that allows for easy access and maintenance, particularly in inkjet printers, where the upper casing needs to be rotated relative to the lower casing for cartridge insertion and maintenance operations without causing mechanical stress on the rotational shaft.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus design featuring a first and second casing where the second casing is rotatable relative to the first casing around a rotational shaft, allowing the liquid ejection head to move between proximity and separation positions, with a lock mechanism and interlocking mechanism to facilitate easy access and minimize mechanical stress on the shaft during cartridge insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper casing is made rotatable relative to the lower casing for easy cartridge access, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical stress on the rotational shaft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into two separate rotatable segments: the front surface portion and the rear surface portion. Each segment can rotate independently relative to the other, allowing the cartridge access function to be achieved while distributing mechanical stress across two separate rotational joints rather than concentrating it on a single shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotational shaft serves as an intermediary component that enables relative rotation between the front and rear surface portions. The shaft is specifically designed with rotational capability to accommodate the movement while minimizing stress transmission, acting as a mediator that allows ease of operation without compromising structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the front surface is divided by rotating the upper casing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper casing is segmented into a front surface portion and a rear surface portion that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows the front surface to be divided and made accessible while keeping the overall structural complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the front and rear surface portions can rotate relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the front surface to be divided and accessed easily while the rotational mechanism is designed to minimize added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid ejection apparatus, a second casing is connected to a first casing so as to be rotatable relative to the first casing about a prescribed axis. The second casing holds a liquid ejection head and a cartridge holding portion. A lower wall of the cartridge holding portion extends in an insertion direction, along which the cartridge holding portion enables a liquid cartridge to move when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge holding portion, the insertion direction being directed from a central point in an insertion opening in a direction perpendicular to an ejection surface toward a point that is on a reference imaginary plane, on which the axis extends and which is perpendicular to the ejection surface, and that is closer to the axis than upper and lower reference points.