Flatbed Printer Detachable Carriage System for Print Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flatbed printer assemblies face challenges in efficiently managing multiple print units and maintaining print speed and accuracy when handling a variety of recording substances, due to increased weight and complexity, making them unsuitable for sophisticated applications in the graphic arts.
Innovation Solution
The design allows for a detachable carriage system with multiple carriages and a carriage station, enabling easy switching between different print units and non-printing units, along with a position detection and alignment system for precise positioning, and a calibration station for maintaining print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more print units are arranged on a single carriage to handle diverse recording substances, then the printing versatility is improved, but the carriage weight increases leading to higher demands on drive units and reduced positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is divided into multiple separate carriages, each carrying a subset of print units. Instead of one heavy carriage holding all print units, the system uses several lighter carriages that can be independently managed. Each carriage can be selectively engaged with the gantry based on the printing requirements, thereby reducing the weight burden on each individual carriage while maintaining overall printing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The gantry is designed with universal engagement capability to work with different types of carriages. The carriage support system can accommodate various carriage configurations, allowing the same gantry structure to handle diverse printing needs through multiple specialized carriages rather than requiring one overloaded universal carriage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more print units are added to handle sophisticated applications, then the printing capability is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase making accurate positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the printing functionality into modular carriages, where each carriage contains specific print units for particular applications. This modular approach reduces overall system complexity by allowing independent management of each carriage unit rather than managing one complex integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each carriage is equipped with its own drive unit and control systems, enabling independent operation and positioning. This self-service capability allows each carriage to be optimized individually for its specific function, reducing the complexity of coordinating a single heavy carriage with multiple print units.
3Device complexity
If a single carriage with all print units is used, then the device structure is simplified, but the productivity decreases due to maintenance interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The printing system is segmented into multiple independent carriages that can operate separately. When one carriage requires maintenance, the other carriages can continue printing, thereby maintaining productivity while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous printing operations by allowing multiple carriages to work in parallel or sequence. While one carriage undergoes maintenance, another carriage can continue the printing task, ensuring that the useful action of printing continues without interruption and maximizing overall productivity.
4Productivity
If multiple carriages are provided for continuous printing operations, then the productivity is improved, but the positioning accuracy and alignment become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through position detection systems that monitor the location of each carriage. This feedback allows the control system to adjust and coordinate the positioning of multiple carriages, ensuring accurate alignment and registration even when multiple carriages are operating simultaneously or being exchanged during continuous printing.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
A flatbed printer assembly includes a medium support table for supporting a recording medium, the table extending in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction; a gantry arranged to be moveable over the medium support table in the first direction; a carriage support movably arranged on the gantry to move over the medium support table in the second direction; a carriage configured to be detachably coupled to the carriage support; a carriage station for holding the carriage, when such carriage is detached from the carriage support; wherein the carriage support is configured to engage and disengage the carriage at the carriage station.