Ink-jet Base Member Stiffness Design for Gap Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses with resin base members are prone to significant deformation under external forces, leading to bending or inclination of conveyor unit shafts and changes in the gap between the recording unit and sheet, affecting image quality and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base member with a center base and side bases, featuring side walls and a main board that connects them, where the main board's shiftability is greater than the side walls', enhancing the apparatus' resistance to external forces and maintaining the gap between the recording unit and sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a resin base member is used instead of sheet metal to reduce size and cost, then manufacturing cost and component count are reduced, but the base member deforms more greatly under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is divided into multiple functional portions: a first side base portion, a second side base portion, and a center base portion. Each portion is positioned to support specific components (conveyor unit, recording unit) and is connected through side walls and a main board to distribute external forces, preventing localized deformation while maintaining resin construction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
Side walls extend in the second direction (perpendicular to the conveying direction) from the center base portion, creating a three-dimensional structural framework. This vertical dimension adds structural rigidity to the resin base member, enabling it to resist bending moments and external forces more effectively while maintaining the integrated resin construction
2Weight of moving object
If the base member is made lighter and smaller using resin, then device size and weight are reduced, but the conveyor unit shaft may bend or incline under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is segmented into first and second side base portions that specifically support the conveyor unit, with the center base portion supporting the recording unit. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while the overall structure distributes loads to prevent shaft bending and maintain positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The side walls project in the second direction from the center base portion, creating a curved or angled structural support that distributes external forces more evenly across the base member, preventing concentrated stresses that would cause shaft bending in lighter resin constructions
3Device complexity
If the base member structure is simplified to reduce component count, then assembly complexity is reduced, but the gap between recording unit and sheet may change under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The base member integrates multiple functions into a single resin component: it provides structural support, positions the conveyor and recording units, and maintains the critical gap between the recording unit and sheet through its geometric design. The side walls and main board work together as an integrated structure to prevent gap changes under external forces, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the base member have different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The side walls provide vertical support and rigidity, the main board connects the side walls and supports the conveyor unit, and the center base portion positions the recording unit. This local optimization maintains the recording gap precision while keeping the overall structure integrated and simple
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a base member; a conveyor unit for conveying a sheet in a first direction; and a recording unit for ejecting ink when opposed to a sheet in a second direction. The base member includes: a first side base portion; a second side base portion; a center base portion located between the first side base portion and the second side base portion in a third direction; first and second side walls extending in the first direction and projecting in the second direction from opposite edge portions of the center base portion in the third direction; and a main board connecting the first side wall and the second side wall and configured to support the conveyor unit and the recording unit. The main board is greater in stiffness than the first side wall and the second side wall.