Waste Liquid Container Vertical Biasing for Retaining Compartment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste liquid containers in liquid ejection devices experience instability due to horizontal biasing forces, leading to potential mispositioning and increased space requirements in retaining compartments.
Innovation Solution
A waste liquid container design with a discharge unit and connection terminals that restrict movement in specific directions, utilizing a coil spring biasing system to stabilize the container vertically within the retaining compartment, reducing the necessary compartment space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plate spring is used to bias the positioning projection horizontally, then the waste liquid container can be retained in the retaining compartment, but the container becomes unstable and requires additional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the biasing direction from horizontal to vertical. Instead of using a plate spring to push the container horizontally against a positioning projection, the invention uses a coil spring to push the container vertically upward against the discharge unit. This inversion of the biasing direction allows the container to be stably retained without requiring additional horizontal space, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and space requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameter of the biasing force from horizontal to vertical direction. By reorienting the spring force vector and modifying the positioning mechanism to work in the vertical direction, the system achieves stable container retention while minimizing the horizontal footprint of the retaining compartment
2Ease of operation
If space is provided for positioning projection movement, then the container can be inserted and removed, but dead space is created in the retaining compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the positioning mechanism from a horizontal protrusion-recess system to a vertical engagement system. The positioning projection is reconfigured to engage with a positioning groove in the vertical direction, allowing the container to be inserted and removed by vertical movement rather than horizontal movement. This eliminates the need for lateral clearance space, thereby reducing dead space while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the positioning and movement mechanism from the horizontal dimension to the vertical dimension. By redesigning the engagement features to operate in the vertical direction, the system enables container insertion and removal through vertical displacement, freeing up horizontal space and reducing dead space in the retaining compartment
3Reliability
If the container is forced against the lower surface for stable positioning, then positioning improves, but the horizontal biasing force prevents effective pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the force application direction from horizontal to vertical. Instead of relying on horizontal biasing that cannot effectively press the container against the lower surface, the invention uses a vertical coil spring to push the container upward against the discharge unit. This vertical force effectively presses the container into position, simultaneously achieving both stable positioning and adequate pressing force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a coil spring to provide an upward counteracting force against gravity and any downward forces on the container. This vertical biasing force compensates for gravitational effects and ensures the container is firmly pressed against the discharge unit, achieving reliable positioning and contact without the inadequacies of horizontal biasing
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 container is stably positioned within the retaining compartment, maintaining electrical contact and reducing compartment size while ensuring efficient waste liquid collection and storage.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring that biases the waste liquid container in a vertical direction when the waste liquid container is in the retained state
Data Source
AI summary
A waste liquid container includes a fitted portion, in which a discharge unit is fittable in a removable manner, a container connection terminal, which contacts a device connection terminal, an insertion restriction portion, which contacts a device contact portion and restricts movement of the waste liquid container in the insertion direction, and an engaged portion, which includes a contacted portion that contacts a removal restriction unit and restricts movement of the waste liquid container in the removal direction. The engaged portion is located toward an inner side in the lateral direction from a side wall at a position lower than both of the container connection terminal and the insertion restriction portion. The removal restriction unit is receivable in a region located toward an outer side in the lateral direction from the engaged portion.