Line Head Wiper Carriage With Integrated Paper Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printers with line heads, integrating a paper width detection sensor increases the size and cost of the apparatus due to the need for a dedicated carriage, which is not applicable to printers with fixed line heads.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a liquid ejection head elongated in the medium width direction, a wiper carriage for wiping the head surface, and an edge detection unit integrated into the wiper carriage, eliminating the need for a separate carriage for the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dedicated carriage is provided for mounting a paper width detection sensor in a line head printer, then the paper width can be detected, but the size and cost of the apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the edge detection sensor and wiper onto a single wiper carriage that moves in the medium width direction. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate dedicated carriage for paper width detection, thereby reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining the capability to detect medium edges accurately
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper carriage is designed to perform multiple functions: it houses both the wiper for cleaning the liquid ejection head and the edge detection sensor for detecting medium edges. This multi-functional design allows a single component to serve multiple purposes, reducing the overall complexity and number of separate mechanisms required in the printer
2Measurement precision
If a dedicated carriage is provided for edge detection, then accurate edge detection is possible, but the number of moving parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the edge detection sensor with the wiper on the same wiper carriage. This consolidation reduces the number of separate moving parts and carriages in the system while maintaining accurate edge detection capability through the sensor's integration into the existing wiper mechanism
3Ease of operation
If the wiper motor is used to move the wiper carriage for wiping, then the wiping function is achieved, but applying load to the wiper motor during edge detection may affect detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs edge detection at a specific position where the wiper carriage is located, and the control unit determines the medium width based on detection results. The wiper motor is controlled to position the carriage appropriately for detection before wiping operations begin, ensuring that edge detection occurs under optimal conditions without motor load interference
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the edge detection sensor to determine medium width and adjust operations accordingly. The system monitors the position of the wiper carriage and coordinates the wiper motor operation to ensure accurate detection is performed at the correct position before wiping begins
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a liquid ejection head including a plurality of nozzles configured to eject a liquid onto a medium, the liquid ejection head being elongated in a medium width direction that is a direction intersecting a medium transport direction, a facing portion disposed to face the liquid ejection head, and a wiper configured to wipe a head surface of the liquid ejection head while moving in the medium width direction, and the wiper is provided on a wiper carriage that moves in the medium width direction using power from a first motor, and an edge detection unit for detecting an edge of the medium is included at a position facing the facing unit in the wiper carriage.