Waste Liquid Collecting Unit Segmentation for Inkjet Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in efficiently collecting and managing waste liquids, particularly when users need to replace the waste liquid absorber, which can lead to contamination of surrounding components.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a discharge head, a support section, a first absorbing member to collect waste liquids from the discharge head, a waste liquid receiving section, a second absorbing member to further absorb the waste liquids, and an accommodating section to hold the second absorbing member. The first and second absorbing members are coupled to deliver waste liquids from the first to the second absorbing member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the waste liquid absorber is separated from the main body by only detaching the tube from the bottom frame, then the waste liquid absorber can be replaced, but the waste liquid absorber filled with waste liquid may contaminate the surrounding components and the replacement process becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid collecting unit is divided into a removable waste liquid absorber and a main body that remains in the liquid discharge apparatus. This segmentation allows the waste liquid absorber to be independently replaced without affecting the main body, making replacement easier while containing the waste liquid within the removable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste liquid absorber is extracted as a separate removable component from the main body. By detaching the connecting tube, the waste liquid absorber can be completely removed from the liquid discharge apparatus, allowing users to replace it without exposing surrounding components to waste liquid contamination.
2Ease of operation
If the waste liquid absorber is made removable and separable from the main body, then replacement becomes easier, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The waste liquid collecting unit is segmented into a removable waste liquid absorber and a stationary main body, connected by a simple tube. This segmentation enables easy replacement of the absorber while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable.
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
This configuration allows for efficient collection and management of waste liquids, preventing contamination and making it easier for users to replace the waste liquid absorber without exposing the surrounding components to waste liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a first absorbing member that absorbs the liquid discarded from the discharge head to an outer side of an end portion of the recording material supported by the support section, as a waste liquid
Implementation Method 2
a second absorbing member that absorbs the waste liquid sent from the waste liquid receiving section
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a discard absorbing member (first absorbing member) 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. Further, the recording apparatus includes: a cap which is an example of a waste liquid receiving section that receives the liquid ejected from the discharge head as a waste liquid; a waste liquid absorbing member (second absorbing member) that absorbs the waste liquid sent from the cap; and a waste liquid box (accommodating section) that holds the waste liquid absorbing member. The discard absorbing member and the waste liquid absorbing member 50A are coupled to each other such that the waste liquid can be delivered from the discard absorbing member to the waste liquid absorbing member.