Detachable Sensor Mounting for Print Media Alignment Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Adjusting positional accuracy and posture accuracy among multiple sensors in a printing apparatus is challenging, which can lead to issues such as print quality deterioration and sensor misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus design that includes a medium support portion, a head for ink ejection, and a sensor unit with attachable and detachable sensors, each equipped with a light-projecting and light-receiving unit, allowing for precise alignment and adjustment of sensor positions and inclinations using adjustable fixing members and elevating components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are attached to one printing apparatus, then detection reliability is improved, but adjustment difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidadjustment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors (first sensor and second sensor) are integrated into a single sensor attachment component, allowing them to be adjusted together as one unit. The sensor attachment component includes a common adjusting mechanism that simultaneously adjusts the positions and inclinations of both sensors, resolving the adjustment difficulty while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor attachment component serves multiple functions: it holds both sensors, provides common adjustment mechanisms for positional accuracy, provides adjustment mechanisms for posture accuracy (inclination), and allows collective attachment and detachment. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall adjustment process while maintaining reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of repair

If sensors are made detachable, then ease of maintenance is improved, but positional accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoidpositional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor attachment component includes pre-configured adjusting mechanisms for positional accuracy and posture accuracy. Before detachment for maintenance, the sensors can be precisely adjusted to their required positions and inclinations. The adjustment mechanisms remain in place, so when sensors are reattached, the precise positioning capability is preserved, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If sensor positions are fixed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor position precisionVSAvoidadjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor attachment component transforms fixed sensor positions into dynamically adjustable positions. The component includes adjusting mechanisms that allow positional accuracy adjustment and posture accuracy adjustment (inclination adjustment). This enables the system to adapt to different requirements while maintaining precise positioning when needed, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances print quality by maintaining appropriate distance between the printing head and medium, reducing contact and foreign matter adherence, and minimizing sensor misalignment errors.

Implementation Method 1

The first sensor and the second sensor each include a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit facing each other with a space through which the medium support portion passes interposed therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS12565051B2Printing apparatus for adjusting positional accuracy of sensors

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus including a medium support portion configured to support a medium, a head configured to eject ink onto the medium supported by the medium support portion, a first sensor configured to detect the medium supported by the medium support portion, a second sensor configured to detect the medium supported by the medium support portion, and a sensor attachment component to which the first sensor and the second sensor are attached, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor each include a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit facing each other with a space through which the medium support portion passes interposed therebetween, and the sensor attachment component is attachable and detachable with the first sensor and the second sensor attached.