Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Sub Tank Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses do not consider the replacement of the sub tank, leading to its degradation and increased failure possibilities compared to the main tank.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus design that includes a head for ejecting a liquid, a first holder for the main tank, a second holder for the sub tank, a supply channel, a branch channel, and a controller. The controller updates the remaining liquid amount information for the main tank and performs operational controls based on this information, while not performing such controls for the sub tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the sub tank is not replaced and is used continuously, then the operational duration of the liquid ejecting apparatus is extended, but the reliability of the apparatus deteriorates due to sub tank degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the management parameter of the sub tank from active monitoring to passive use. By not updating the remaining amount information and not performing operational control based on sub tank levels, the system effectively removes the sub tank from the replacement cycle, allowing continuous operation while accepting the trade-off of potential degradation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by decoupling the sub tank's operational status from the reliability management system.
2Reliability
If the main tank is frequently replaced to maintain reliability, then the apparatus reliability is improved, but the loss of time for replacement operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively managing only the main tank with replacement protocols while leaving the sub tank permanently in place. The controller updates remaining amount information and performs operational control exclusively for the main tank, not the sub tank. This partial management approach maintains reliability through timely main tank replacement while minimizing overall replacement frequency and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head, a first holder to which a main tank is attached, a second holder to which a sub tank is attached, a supply channel coupled to the head and the first holder, a branch channel that branches off at an intermediate point in the supply channel and that is coupled to the second holder, and a controller. Each of the main tank and the sub tank is a liquid container including a container and a memory circuit. The first holder includes a connector. The controller updates, via the connector, remaining amount information stored in the memory circuit of the main tank, performs an operational control based on the remaining amount information stored in the memory circuit of the main tank, and does not perform the operational control based on the remaining amount information stored in the memory circuit of the sub tank.