Ink Tube Holding Mechanism for Recording Carriage Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording devices face issues where the ink tube is subjected to forces that can displace the carriage from its guide shaft, leading to unintended states due to the carriage being displaced by forces acting through the ink tube during reciprocation.
Innovation Solution
The recording device incorporates a tube holding unit that is displaced relative to the guide shaft when external forces exceed a threshold, using a displacement portion with a shaft member and elastic member to absorb these forces, preventing the carriage from being displaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the ink tube is directly connected to the carriage without a displacement mechanism, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the carriage may be displaced from the guide shaft when external force acts on the ink tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a displacement portion as an intermediary mechanism between the tube holding unit and the guided portion. This displacement portion includes a shaft member and an elastic member that act as mediators to absorb external forces acting on the ink tube, preventing these forces from directly displacing the carriage from the guide shaft. The elastic member specifically serves as a force-absorbing intermediary that protects the carriage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by incorporating an elastic member in the displacement portion that is pre-configured to absorb external forces before they can cause harmful displacement. The elastic member is positioned in advance to cushion against potential force impacts on the ink tube, preventing the carriage from being displaced from the guide shaft during operation.
2Reliability
If a displacement portion with elastic member is added to allow tube holding unit displacement, then the carriage reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the attachment portion into distinct functional components: a tube holding unit, a displacement portion, and a guided portion. The displacement portion is further segmented into a shaft member and an elastic member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability, with the elastic member specifically designed to absorb external forces and prevent carriage displacement.
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 configuration prevents the guided portion and carriage from entering unintended states by allowing the tube holding unit to displace smoothly when external forces exceed a threshold, thereby maintaining the carriage's alignment with the guide shaft.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment portion where the tube holding unit is attached to the guided portion includes a displacement portion configured such that the tube holding unit is displaced relative to the guided portion when external force equal to or greater than a threshold value acts on the tube holding unit
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device includes a head, a main body portion, a carriage provided with the head and configured to be able to reciprocate along a guide shaft, and an ink tube configured to supply ink to the head from an ink accommodating portion disposed at the main body portion. The carriage includes a guided portion supported by the guide shaft, a tube holding unit attached to the guided portion and configured to hold the ink tube, and a head placement portion where the head is disposed, the head placement portion being attached to the guided portion. An attachment portion where the tube holding unit is attached to the guided portion includes a displacement portion configured such that the tube holding unit is displaced relative to the guided portion when external force equal to or greater than a threshold value acts on the tube holding unit.