Carriage Fixing Tool for Liquid Jet Head Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid jet recording apparatuses face difficulties in accurately adjusting the position of the liquid jet head with respect to the carriage, as positioning in one direction, the other direction, and the height direction are independent of each other, making it challenging to perform precise adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A carriage design that includes a base movable in one direction, a liquid jet head with a support plate, and a fixing tool system allowing for sliding and pressing mechanisms to facilitate precise positioning in multiple directions, including the use of a positioning pin and flat spring portions for enhanced accuracy and ease of adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever is used to position the liquid jet head in one direction, the other direction, and height direction independently, then the liquid jet head can be fixed to the carriage, but it becomes difficult to adjust only the height direction while maintaining positioning in the other two directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning functions into a single integrated fixing tool. The fixing tool includes a fixing member that can position the liquid jet head in the first direction (sliding direction), second direction (perpendicular direction), and height direction (thickness direction) simultaneously through coordinated engagement with engagement portions on the support plate, eliminating the need for separate independent positioning mechanisms for each direction
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing tool is designed as a multi-functional device that performs positioning and fixing operations in multiple directions. The fixing member can slide in the first direction while engagement portions engage with the support plate to constrain movement in the second direction and height direction, allowing the same tool to handle all three positioning dimensions without requiring separate specialized mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fixing tool is made slidable in the first direction with temporary fixation, then positioning in the first direction is enabled, but the fixing tool may lift off from the base, compromising positioning accuracy in the height direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary counteracting forces through pressing portions that press the fixing tool toward the base in the height direction. This preliminary action prevents the fixing tool from lifting off when the fixing member is in a temporarily-fixed state, ensuring that positioning accuracy in the height direction is maintained even while allowing sliding adjustment in the first direction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the fixing member between temporarily-fixed and fixed states. When temporarily-fixed, the fixing member allows sliding in the first direction for positioning adjustment. Pressing portions apply force to maintain contact in the height direction. When fully fixed, positioning is complete and the fixing member is secured to maintain the positioned state
Data Source
AI summary
A carriage includes: a base plate; a liquid jet head including a support plate attached to the base plate; a first engagement portion formed on one end in a Y direction of the support plate; a fixing tool for positioning and fixing the support plate with respect to the base plate, the fixing tool being fixed to the base plate slidably in an X direction by screws and engaged with the first engagement portion; and a flat spring portion that presses the fixing tool toward the base plate. The fixing tool allows movement in the Y direction of the first engagement portion with respect to the fixing tool, and restricts movement in the X direction of the first engagement portion and movement in a thickness direction of the base plate of the first engagement portion with respect to the fixing tool.