Ink Jet Recorder Slider Locking Lever Wiper Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining accurate wiper approach distance to the recording head due to manufacturing errors and the need for horizontal portions on slider cams, leading to instability and increased apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism using a rotatable lock lever, supported by a frictional force, locks the slider in a stable wiping position without requiring horizontal portions on the cam faces, allowing precise regulation of the wiper approach distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If horizontal portions are provided on slider cams to regulate slider position, then the slider can be positioned accurately, but the apparatus size increases and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the position regulation function from the slider cam structure by introducing a separate lock lever mechanism. The lock lever with its cam surface engages with a stopper on the slider to define the wiping position, eliminating the need for horizontal portions on the original slider cams. This separation of functions allows the slider cam to focus only on motion guidance while position regulation is handled by the dedicated locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever acts as an intermediary element between the slider and the fixed structure. Instead of directly incorporating position regulation features into the slider cam, the patent introduces the lock lever as a mediator that translates the slider's motion into a locked position through its cam surface and stopper engagement. This intermediary mechanism achieves precise positioning without requiring modifications to the original cam geometry.
2Stability of the object's composition
If horizontal portions are provided on slider cams to ensure stable slider posture, then positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the position regulation function from the motion guidance function. The slider cam is responsible only for guiding the slider's motion path, while the lock lever with its cam surface and the stopper handle the positioning and stability functions. This segmentation simplifies the overall cam structure by removing the need for complex horizontal portions, as the stability function is transferred to the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock lever introduces a dynamic locking mechanism that adapts to the slider's position. The spring-loaded lock lever engages with the stopper at the appropriate point in the slider's travel, providing stability only when needed. This dynamic approach replaces the static horizontal portions on the cam, reducing structural complexity while maintaining posture stability during the wiping operation.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the slider, then wiping position stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through spring force. The lock lever is biased by a spring to engage with the stopper on the slider, automatically providing locking action without requiring external control. This self-service approach ensures reliable positioning while minimizing the complexity of the control system, as the mechanism regulates itself through the inherent spring force and geometric constraints.
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
This solution enables high-precision regulation of the wiper approach distance, stabilizes the slider posture, and miniaturizes the apparatus by eliminating the need for horizontal portions on the slider cams, resulting in improved wiping performance and reduced apparatus size.
Implementation Method 1
a locking means which locks the slider with an apparatus main body side when the slider has moved to a wiping position where the wiper wipes the recording head
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable locking lever is provided in a slider and is movable in a direction intersecting a moving direction of a carriage, and the slider is made to stop in a wiping position by the locking lever being locked by an apparatus main body side when the slider moves to a wiping position. It is possible to regulate an approach amount of a wiper to a recording head with a high degree of accuracy even if horizontal portions are not provided on cam surfaces for restricting a position of the slider mounting the wiper.