Waste Liquid Collecting Unit Inclined Delivery Section

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with waste liquid leakage during the replacement of the waste liquid absorber, leading to potential contamination of surrounding components.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus with a waste liquid collecting unit that includes a second absorbing member, an accommodating section, and a delivery section. The delivery section is inclined downward between the first and second absorbing members, and its inclination changes based on the state of the accommodating section's insertion into the apparatus main body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the waste liquid absorber is replaced by separating the tube from the apparatus main body, then the waste liquid absorber can be replaced, but waste liquid may leak from the separated tube end and contaminate surrounding components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste liquid absorber replacementVSAvoidwaste liquid leakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The waste liquid collecting unit is divided into a removable accommodating section (containing the waste liquid absorber) and a fixed delivery section (attached to the apparatus main body). This segmentation allows the accommodating section to be replaced independently while the delivery section remains connected, enabling easy maintenance while preventing waste liquid leakage from the fixed delivery section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery section acts as an intermediary component that remains permanently attached to the apparatus main body, providing a stable connection for waste liquid transport. This intermediary structure ensures that the waste liquid flow path remains sealed and connected even when the accommodating section is removed for replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of repair

If the accommodating section is removed from the apparatus main body, then the waste liquid absorber can be replaced, but the delivery section inclination changes and waste liquid may leak from the delivery flow path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste liquid absorber replacementVSAvoidwaste liquid containment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a removable accommodating section and a fixed delivery section. The delivery section remains permanently attached to the apparatus main body, maintaining its downward inclination and sealed connection regardless of whether the accommodating section is present, thus ensuring reliable waste liquid containment during replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the delivery section is fixed to the apparatus main body, then waste liquid leakage is prevented, but the waste liquid absorber replacement becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste liquid leakage preventionVSAvoidwaste liquid absorber replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The waste liquid collecting unit is segmented into a fixed delivery section (attached to the apparatus main body for reliable waste liquid containment) and a removable accommodating section (containing the replaceable waste liquid absorber). This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the fixed connection for leakage prevention while allowing easy removal of the accommodating section for absorber replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively prevents waste liquid leakage and contamination by ensuring the waste liquid is properly absorbed and directed, even during the replacement of the waste liquid absorber.

Implementation Method 1

the delivery section is inclined downward from the first absorbing member toward the second absorbing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a first absorbing member that absorbs the liquid discarded from the discharge head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a second absorbing member that absorbs a waste liquid sent from a waste liquid receiving section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12220920B2Liquid discharge apparatus, waste liquid collecting unit, and waste liquid collecting method

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A recording apparatus includes a first absorbing member (extended absorbing member or the like) that absorbs a liquid discarded from a discharge head to an outer side of an end portion of a medium supported by a support section as a waste liquid. The recording apparatus includes a second absorbing member (waste liquid absorbing member) that absorbs the waste liquid sent from a cap, an accommodating section (waste liquid box) that holds the second absorbing member, and a delivery section that delivers the liquid between the first absorbing member and the second absorbing member. In a state where the accommodating section is inserted into an apparatus main body, the delivery section 141 is inclined downward from the first absorbing member toward the second absorbing member, and an inclination of the delivery section when the accommodating section is removed from the apparatus main body varies depending on an inserted state.