Print Head Flat Cable Guides for Accurate Insertion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses using flat cables for electrical signal input often face issues with improper insertion, such as oblique or shifted positions, due to the lack of guidance from both sides in the longitudinal direction.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a head unit featuring an insertion port and a guiding portion that includes at least two opposing guide members with parallel surfaces aligned to the insertion direction, ensuring the flat cable is guided from both sides during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wall-shaped portion is formed in a tapered shape to restrict the position of the flat cable, then the flat cable is easy to insert, but the flat cable is not guided from both sides in the longitudinal direction, leading to oblique or shifted insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding portion is divided into multiple guide members (first guide member and second guide member) that are opposed to each other. Each guide member has a guiding surface that contacts opposite sides of the flat cable, providing segmented guidance from both sides to prevent oblique or shifted insertion while maintaining ease of insertion.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide members are added to guide the flat cable from both sides, then insertion position accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are integrated with the housing structure, merging the guiding function into the existing housing rather than adding separate independent components. The first and second guide members are formed as part of the housing, reducing overall device complexity while still providing guidance from both sides to improve insertion position accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a head unit including an insertion port into which a flat cable is to be inserted; and a guiding portion configured to guide the flat cable when the flat cable is inserted into the insertion port. The guiding portion includes at least two guide members opposed to each other. The guide members opposed to each other each include a parallel surface to an insertion direction of the flat cable into the insertion port, and are disposed with the parallel surfaces opposed to each other. The distance between the parallel surfaces of the guide members that are opposed to each other matches a width in a longitudinal direction of the insertion port.