Cable Relay Section for Inkjet Printer Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers with line head types face difficulties in maintenance and exchange due to the complexity of removing flexible flat cables and ink tubes, which require significant effort and time, especially when the control substrate is located in a secluded area.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a cable relay section and a tube relay section that separates the recording head from the control section, allowing for easier access and reducing the need to access the control section directly during maintenance, and a detachable high-speed data transmission cable for improved signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all flexible flat cables are connected to the control substrate located in a secluded area, then the device structure is integrated, but the accessibility for maintenance becomes poor and work time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cable connection system into two separate connection points: one at the control substrate and another at the recording head. This segmentation allows cables to be connected and maintained at the recording head location without requiring access to the secluded control substrate area, thereby improving maintenance accessibility and reducing work time.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording head acts as an intermediary connection point for the flexible flat cables. Instead of requiring direct access to the control substrate for cable maintenance, the intermediary connection at the recording head enables servicemen to perform maintenance operations at a more accessible location, reducing the time and effort required for cable exchange.
2Ease of repair
If multiple cables and ink tubes extend from the recording head to the control section, then the device functionality is complete, but the complexity of maintenance and exchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system by providing separate connection points for cables and ink tubes at the recording head. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to access and maintain individual components (cables or tubes) at the recording head location without having to manage all connections through the control substrate, thereby simplifying the maintenance process despite the presence of multiple connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the cable connection function from the secluded control substrate area and relocates it to the recording head location. This extraction allows maintenance personnel to perform cable maintenance at the more accessible recording head location, separating the maintenance operation from the complex control substrate area and thereby improving ease of repair.
3Ease of operation
If the control substrate is located in a secluded area for device integration, then the device structure is compact, but the accessibility for cable exchange becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable connection functionality into two locations: the secluded control substrate area and the accessible recording head area. This segmentation allows the control substrate to remain in its integrated secluded location while providing an alternative connection point at the recording head for maintenance operations, thereby maintaining device compactness while improving cable exchange accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The recording head serves as an intermediary connection point that mediates between the secluded control substrate and the external maintenance environment. This intermediary allows cable exchanges to be performed at the accessible recording head location without requiring access to the secluded control substrate area, thereby resolving the conflict between device integration and maintenance accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a recording apparatus including: a recording section that performs recording on a recording medium; a cable relay section that is provided between a first area, in which the recording section is arranged, and a second area in which a control section for control is arranged, and that relays cables; a first cable that is configured to extend from the recording section and is connected to the cable relay section on a side of the first area; and a second cable that is configured to extend from the control section and is connected to the cable relay section on a side of the second area.