Composite Medium Pressing Member for Thermal Deformation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the stability of the medium pressing member, leading to potential deformation and interference with the printing head, which can result in jamming and image quality issues due to the mechanical stiffness and thermal expansion characteristics of the materials used.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus design featuring a medium pressing member with a base portion composed of materials with different coefficients of thermal expansion, where the first material has a higher expansion rate than the second material, and a heating mechanism to suppress deformation by creating a drag force that keeps the member attached to the supporting portion, preventing interference with the printing head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the medium pressing member is made thin to reduce the interval between the head and the medium, then the printing quality is improved, but the mechanical stiffness is weakened and the member is easily deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The medium pressing member is constructed as a composite structure with a base portion made of resin material and a pressing portion made of elastic material. This composite design allows the member to maintain thin overall thickness for improved printing quality while the elastic material provides the necessary mechanical stiffness and deformation resistance.
2Manufacturing precision
If the medium pressing member is made thin to reduce the interval between the head and the medium, then the printing quality is improved, but the member is easily deformed by strong forces
Solution Approach 1:
The medium pressing member combines resin base portion with elastic pressing portion, where the elastic material specifically provides deformation resistance under strong forces while maintaining the thin overall structure needed for high printing quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the medium pressing member is widely provided to suppress medium floating, then the medium stability is improved, but the mechanical stiffness is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The medium pressing member uses elastic material for the pressing portion, which provides both the width needed to suppress medium floating and the mechanical stiffness to resist deformation, overcoming the trade-off present in uniform thin structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the medium pressing member is deformed by strong forces, then the member flexibility is increased, but the head may malfunction due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material in the pressing portion provides controlled flexibility to adapt to medium variations while maintaining sufficient stiffness to prevent deformation that would interfere with the head, thus protecting head operation reliability.
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 effectively prevents deformation of the medium pressing member, even under strong forces, thereby enhancing the reliability and quality of the printing process by maintaining a stable interface between the medium and the printing head, reducing the risk of jamming and improving long-term performance.
Implementation Method 1
a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first material is higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material
Implementation Method 2
a force (Hereinafter, refer to as drag force) against the deformation force acts on the medium pressing member
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a medium supporting portion for supporting a medium, a head for printing on the medium, a medium pressing member that includes a plurality of materials stacked thereon, and a platen heater for heating the medium pressing member. The medium pressing member includes a base portion being attached to the medium supporting portion, and an eaves portion which forms a gap with the medium supporting portion and suppresses floating of the medium from the medium supporting portion. The base portion includes a first material for forming a first surface being attached to the medium supporting portion, and a second material for forming a second surface on an opposite side of the first surface, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first material is higher than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material.