Common Motor Drives Gap Switching and Maintenance in Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple dedicated motors for various drive targets, leading to increased size and cost, as well as limitations in simultaneous operation of gap switching and paper feed operations.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus configuration where the gap switching unit and maintenance unit are driven by a common motor, utilizing a planetary gear mechanism to differentiate rotation directions for efficient operation, and overlapping motor components to minimize space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple dedicated motors are provided for each drive target, then each drive target can operate independently and efficiently, but the apparatus size increases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drive functions (carriage drive, paper feed, gap switching, maintenance unit) into a single motor system. The motor is equipped with multiple transmission mechanisms including a belt mechanism for carriage drive, a gear mechanism for paper feed, and a cam mechanism for gap switching and maintenance unit operations. This merging reduces the number of motors from multiple dedicated motors to a single motor, thereby reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining operational efficiency through coordinated control of all drive targets.
2Device complexity
If a single motor drives both gap switching unit and feed rollers, then the number of motors is reduced, but gap switching operation and paper feed operation cannot be performed at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission mechanisms into functionally independent units: a belt mechanism for carriage drive, a gear mechanism for paper feed, and a cam mechanism for gap switching and maintenance unit. Each mechanism can be actuated independently by the single motor through selective engagement, allowing simultaneous operation of gap switching and paper feed functions without mechanical interference, thereby maintaining high throughput while using only one motor.
3Reliability
If various drive targets are provided with dedicated motors, then each function can be optimized independently, but the apparatus width and depth dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the transmission mechanisms in a compact, multi-dimensional layout within the apparatus. The belt mechanism, gear mechanism, and cam mechanism are positioned to utilize vertical and lateral spaces efficiently, allowing all drive functions to be integrated into a compact footprint. This dimensional arrangement maintains functional independence of each drive target while minimizing the apparatus width and depth dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a carriage, a medium support member, a gap switching unit, and a maintenance unit. The carriage includes a recording head configured to record on a medium. The medium support member is provided at a position facing the recording head and is configured to support the medium. The gap switching unit is configured to switch a gap between the medium support member and the recording head. The maintenance unit is configured to perform maintenance on the recording head. The gap switching unit and the maintenance unit are driven by a common motor.