Carriage Posture Stabilization via Resilient Slide Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet image recording apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing the posture of the carriage during image recording due to rotational moments caused by the tension of the endless belt, leading to unstable image quality and difficult carriage mounting and detachment processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a carriage with first and second slidable projection sections that contact a third slide surface on the second support member, assisted by a resilient member, to stabilize the carriage's posture and reduce rotational moments, allowing for stable movement and easier operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a round support shaft is used to support the carriage, then dimensional precision and rigidity are improved, but the cost increases and the carriage becomes difficult to mount or detach
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a fixed support shaft and a detachable carriage assembly. The carriage can be separated from the support shaft by detaching the belt, allowing easy mounting and detachment without requiring detachment of the entire support shaft from the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt acts as an intermediary element connecting the carriage to the support shaft. By attaching or detaching the belt, the carriage can be easily mounted or detached from the support shaft, simplifying maintenance operations while maintaining the precision benefits of the round support shaft.
2Speed
If the carriage is moved by an endless belt driven by a motor, then reciprocating motion is achieved, but rotational moment from belt tension causes unstable carriage posture
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is provided that balances the weight of the carriage in the vertical direction. This counterweight reduces the net gravitational force on the carriage, thereby reducing the rotational moment caused by belt tension during acceleration and improving posture stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the carriage assembly by adding a counterweight that modifies the weight distribution. This parameter change (adding counterbalancing mass) compensates for the unstable rotational moment generated during belt-driven motion.
3Ease of manufacture
If plate-like support members are used instead of a round shaft, then cost is reduced and carriage mounting is easier, but dimensional precision and rigidity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both support structures: the round support shaft provides high dimensional precision and rigidity, while the belt-driven detachable carriage system provides easy mounting and cost-effectiveness. The combination achieves both precision and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt serves as an intermediary that allows the carriage to be easily attached and detached from the round support shaft. This mediator enables the use of a precision round shaft while maintaining ease of maintenance and reduced manufacturing cost compared to integrated designs.
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 ensures stable movement of the carriage in the main scanning direction, improves image recording quality, and simplifies the carriage's attachment and detachment processes, reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member for resiliently energizing the second slidable projection sections toward the third slide surface
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus includes a carriage which carries a recording head and moves reciprocally in a main scanning direction; and a first support member and a second support member arranged on an upstream side and a downstream side, respectively, in a sub-scanning direction, the first support member and the second support member having a first slide surface and a second slide surface, respectively, for supporting the carriage slidably, the second support member having a third slide surface orthogonal to the second slide surface and positioned between the first slide surface and the second slide surface, and the carriage having one pair of first slidable projection sections slidable in contact with the third slide surface and one pair of second slidable projection sections facing the first slidable projection sections with the third slide surface between them, and a resilient member for resiliently energizing the second slidable projection sections.