Rotating Waste Liquid Tank Layout for Confined Printer Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices, such as inkjet printers, require a large working space for replacing waste ink tanks due to their design, which limits installation and detachment in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
A waste liquid tank is designed with a first length shorter than a second length, allowing it to be rotatably attached to a frame, and is supported by a protrusion and projection system for easy attachment and detachment, even in limited spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the waste ink tank is designed with a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape elongated in the vertical direction and front-rear direction, then the tank can be easily removed by sliding straight forward through the replacement opening, but a relatively large space in front of the printer is required to perform the replacement operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the removal direction from the front-rear direction (horizontal dimension) to the vertical direction. The waste ink tank is designed to be removed upward through the tank replacement opening, which is formed in the upper surface of the printer body rather than the front surface. This dimensional change allows replacement in confined spaces where front working space is limited, while maintaining ease of operation through the vertical removal path
2Ease of operation
If the waste ink tank replacement opening is formed in the front surface of the printer, then the tank can be accessed directly, but a large working space around the printer is needed for attachment and detachment operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the tank replacement opening from the front surface to the upper surface of the printer body. This positional change in the vertical dimension allows operators to access and replace the waste ink tank from above, eliminating the need for extensive front working space while maintaining direct access to the tank through the upper opening
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head, a waste liquid tank, a frame, and a cover. The liquid ejection head is configured to eject liquid. The waste liquid tank is configured to store waste liquid ejected from the liquid ejection head. The frame supports the liquid ejection head and the waste liquid tank. The cover is removably attached to the frame and covers the waste liquid tank in a first direction orthogonal to an up-down direction. The waste liquid tank has a first length in the first direction and a second length in a second direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the first direction. The second length is longer than the first length. The waste liquid tank is removably attached to the frame and is supported to be rotatable, relative to the frame, about a first end portion of the waste liquid tank in the second direction.