Carriage Assembly Head Position Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carriage assemblies for printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning the print head due to potential degradation in positioning accuracy, leading to deteriorated image quality, especially when printing on sheets of varying thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

A carriage assembly comprising a first structure with a first sliding face that contacts the guide member and a second structure with a second sliding face that holds the first structure for positional adjustment, allowing precise adjustment of the gap between the print head and the sheet, thereby enhancing positioning accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a position adjustment mechanism is added to adjust the gap between the print head and sheet, then the adaptability to different sheet thicknesses is improved, but the device complexity increases and positioning accuracy may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different sheet thicknessesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carriage assembly is divided into two separate structures: a first structure that directly contacts the guide member for positioning, and a second structure that holds the first structure and provides gap adjustment. This segmentation allows the positioning function and adjustment function to be separated, maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling adaptability to different sheet thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first structure acts as an intermediary between the guide member and the print head. It directly contacts the guide member to receive precise positioning, while being held by the second structure that provides gap adjustment capability. This intermediary structure transmits the positioning accuracy from the guide member to the print head while allowing the gap to be adjusted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a position adjustment mechanism is added to adjust the gap between the print head and sheet, then the adaptability to different sheet thicknesses is improved, but the positioning accuracy of the print head is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different sheet thicknessesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy of the print head

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first structure acts as an intermediary between the guide member and the print head. It directly contacts the guide member to receive precise positioning, while being held by the second structure that provides gap adjustment. This intermediary structure transmits the positioning accuracy from the guide member to the print head while allowing the gap to be adjusted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 improves the accuracy of print head positioning and facilitates easy adjustment of the gap, resulting in enhanced image quality across different sheet thicknesses without requiring additional positioning mechanisms, thus maintaining high printing precision.

Implementation Method 1

a first sliding face that contacts the guide member, and a second sliding face that contacts the guide member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10144230B2Carriage assembly and head position adjustment mechanism

Publication Date: 2018.12.04 CANON KK

AI summary

The present invention provides a mechanism that improves accuracy for positioning a head relative to a carriage, and easily performs positional adjustment for the head. A carriage unit includes a first carriage structure and a second carriage structure. The first carriage structure includes a first sliding face that can slide along a guide shaft, and a head can be mounted on the first carriage structure. The second carriage structure includes a second sliding face that can slide along the guide shaft, and can hold the first carriage structure to allow positional adjustment for the first carriage structure in a predetermined direction in which a position where the first sliding face contacts the guide shaft is to be shifted.