Inkjet Printer Flexible Detection Plate Wrinkle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with image quality deterioration and potential damage to the recording head due to wrinkles in the recording medium, which can cause jamming and erroneous detection by rotating members used for proximity sensing.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer design featuring a flexible detection plate on the carriage that deforms upon contact with the recording medium, equipped with sensors to output signals for controlling the carriage and recording head operations, preventing damage and jamming by maintaining optimal distance and preventing ink adherence to rotating parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotating member is used to detect proximity of the recording medium to the ink head, then the detection function is achieved, but ink may adhere to the rotating part causing erroneous detection or locking the member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rotating mechanical detection member with a non-contact detection system using light reception sensors that detect reflected light from the recording medium. This eliminates the mechanical rotating part that was susceptible to ink adhesion, thereby maintaining detection functionality while improving reliability by preventing ink-related failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for detection. Instead of direct mechanical contact between the rotating member and recording medium, light serves as the mediator to convey information about proximity, allowing detection without physical contact and thus preventing ink adhesion issues.
2Manufacturing precision
If the recording medium is supported on the platen, then the medium is kept flat for stable recording, but wrinkles may still occur causing image quality deterioration or damage to the recording head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of wrinkles using light reception sensors before the recording head reaches the problematic area. Upon detecting a wrinkle, the system提前 (in advance) stops the movement of the recording head, preventing contact with the wrinkled portion and avoiding potential damage or image quality deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where light reception sensors continuously monitor the recording medium surface, and the controller adjusts the recording head position based on this feedback. When wrinkles are detected, the system responds by stopping or adjusting the recording head movement to maintain recording quality and prevent damage.
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 effectively prevents damage to the recording head and maintains image quality by accurately detecting medium proximity without rotating members, thus avoiding erroneous detection and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible detection plate disposed on the side surface of the carriage and spaced a predetermined distance from the platen in a direction in which the recording head and the platen face each other, the detection plate being configured to deform due to contact with the recording medium
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printer includes: a head for ejecting ink to a recording medium; a platen for supporting the recording medium; a conveying unit for conveying the recording medium in a conveying direction; a carriage on which the head is mounted, the carriage moving in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; a plate disposed on a side of the carriage and spaced from the platen, the plate deforming due to contact with the recording medium; a sensor fixed to the plate and configured to output a signal in response to deformation of the plate; a position sensor for detecting a position of the carriage; and a controller that, upon detecting contact of the recording medium with the plate based on the signal while the carriage is moving, controls operation of the carriage and head based on a moving direction of the carriage and the position detected by the position sensor.