Adjustable Supporting Belts for Inkjet Sheet Warping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printers face transport failures due to warping of recording sheets caused by ink ejection, and existing solutions with fixed rib configurations cannot adapt to varying sheet sizes or thicknesses, leading to ineffective cockling and warping prevention.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a moving unit that adjusts the distance between supporting members to create intended cockling on the recording sheet, featuring endless belts for circulation and independent movement, a liquid receiving portion for nozzle flushing, and a cleaning unit to maintain the system's cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed ribs are provided on the platen, then the structure is simple, but the intervals between ribs cannot be changed when recording sheet size or thickness changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed ribs with movable supporting members that can be positioned at different intervals along the transport direction. The supporting members are mounted on movable carriers that can be adjusted independently, allowing the system to adapt to different recording sheet sizes and thicknesses by changing the spacing between supporting members, thus transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous platen surface into multiple independent supporting sections, each with its own adjustable supporting member. Instead of having a single fixed rib structure, the system uses multiple discrete supporting members that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing flexible configuration for different sheet types while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If supporting members are fixed on platen, then manufacturing is easy, but cockling cannot be created on recording sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the supporting members movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned at specific intervals to create desired cockling patterns. The movable carriers enable precise adjustment of supporting member positions during manufacturing and operation, achieving accurate cockling formation while maintaining ease of installation through modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the positions and intervals of supporting members to be adjusted as variables. Instead of fixed manufacturing parameters, the system enables modification of supporting member spacing and positioning parameters to create different cockling patterns, achieving precise control over the manufacturing process while keeping individual components simple and easy to manufacture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ribs are fixed at certain intervals, then structure is stable, but intended cockling cannot be created when recording sheet type changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing dynamic adjustability in the supporting member arrangement. The movable carriers allow the system to maintain stability during operation while enabling reconfiguration when different recording sheet types are used. The supporting members can be repositioned to create appropriate cockling patterns for various sheet types without compromising operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a single adjustable supporting member system that can serve multiple functions for different recording sheet types. The movable carriers and adjustable positioning mechanisms enable the same basic structure to adapt to various sheet sizes and thicknesses, providing multi-functionality that maintains stability while achieving adaptability.
4Length of moving object
If supporting members are fixed, then device complexity is low, but distances between supporting members cannot be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing movable carriers that can adjust the positions of supporting members along the transport direction. This dynamic mechanism allows the distance between supporting members to be changed by moving the carriers to different positions, achieving variable spacing without requiring complex mechanical structures, as the adjustment is achieved through simple linear movement of the carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by adding movement in the longitudinal dimension (transport direction) to adjust the distance between supporting members. Instead of changing the lateral spacing, the system uses longitudinal positioning of movable carriers to achieve the desired distance adjustment, simplifying the mechanism by utilizing the existing transport motion dimension rather than requiring complex lateral adjustment structures.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a liquid ejecting apparatus which can prevent a target having liquid ejected thereon from warping irrespective of the type of the target. An ink jet printer includes a recording head configured to eject ink from a nozzle formed on a nozzle-formed surface onto a recording sheet being transported from an upstream side to a downstream side, and a plurality of supporting belts arranged so as to oppose the nozzle-formed surface and each having a supporting portion extending along the direction of transport of the recording sheet. The respective supporting belts are arranged so as to be capable of moving along the width direction intersecting the direction of transport of the recording sheet.