Compact Printing Unit Cable Routing for Liftable Printheads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers face challenges in integrating compact full-color printing units with efficient aerosol extraction systems while maintaining a minimal footprint, particularly in high-speed thermal inkjet systems with small drop sizes, and require efficient management of electrical cabling and ink lines.
Innovation Solution
A printing unit design featuring a fixed maintenance chassis with movable print modules, an integrated aerosol extraction unit, and a lift mechanism for printhead movement, along with a compact aerosol extractor system and cable management system that allows for efficient aerosol removal and cabling organization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a compact printing unit configuration is implemented, then the footprint is minimized, but aerosol extraction efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aerosol extractors are positioned underneath the bottom plate in a vertically stacked configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than horizontal space. This allows efficient aerosol extraction to occur below the compact printing unit footprint, resolving the contradiction between minimal footprint and effective aerosol removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerosol extraction unit is nested within the overall printing unit structure, with extractors positioned in the space underneath the bottom plate. This nested arrangement integrates the aerosol extraction function within the compact footprint boundaries, allowing both functions to coexist in a space-efficient manner.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple print modules are integrated in a compact arrangement, then the footprint is reduced, but cable management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system is segmented into separate conduits for different functions (electrical power, data, ink supply). Each conduit is routed independently through the compact structure, allowing organized cable management that accommodates multiple print modules without increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Cables and conduits are routed vertically through the stacked print module arrangement, utilizing the vertical dimension for cable management. This approach organizes the complex cabling infrastructure in the vertical space rather than horizontal plane, maintaining a compact footprint while managing multiple connections efficiently.
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
Enables a compact configuration for multiple print modules with efficient aerosol extraction and minimal footprint, facilitating integration into existing systems and reducing development time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an air knife having a knife slot for directing a flow of air towards print media
Implementation Method 2
an air knife to disrupt aerosol trapped in a boundary layer associated with moving media
Implementation Method 3
a suction nozzle positioned upstream of the knife slot for directing aerosol into a suction channel
Data Source
AI summary
A printing unit includes: a fixed unit chassis having a lower cable tray mounted to a front part thereof; a movable printhead chassis having an upper cable tray mounted to a front face thereof, the printhead chassis supporting an upstream print module and a downstream print module relative to a media feed direction; a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the printhead chassis relative to the unit chassis; upstream and downstream cable trunkings positioned at opposite upstream and downstream ends of the unit chassis for receiving electrical cabling from the lower cable tray; and upstream and downstream conduits connected to the upstream and downstream print modules respectively. The downstream cable trunking feeds cabling from the lower cable tray into the upstream conduit via the upper cable tray, and the upstream cable trunking feeds cabling from the lower cable tray into the downstream conduit via the upper cable tray.