Modular Printer Carriage Segmentation for Layout Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing flexibility is limited in printing devices due to high costs associated with modifying existing manufacturing lines for different printhead layouts, which require varying numbers, positions, and distances of printheads.

Innovation Solution

A modular printhead carrier component system that allows for the selection and attachment of predefined printhead layouts to a frame component using registration elements and attachment mechanisms, enabling easy reconfiguration of printhead arrangements and distances without modifying the manufacturing line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a manufacturing line is modified to produce printing devices with a new printhead layout, then the printing device can accommodate different printhead configurations, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinthead layout flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The printhead carrier is divided into separate modular components: a frame component and interchangeable printhead carrier components, each with specific bays for different printhead layouts. This segmentation allows the manufacturing line to produce standardized frame components while storing different printhead carrier variants, eliminating the need to modify the manufacturing line for each printhead layout configuration and thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining layout flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different printhead carrier components with pre-configured bays for various printhead layouts are manufactured and stored in advance. The manufacturing line produces these pre-configured components separately, and then they are assembled with the frame component as needed. This preliminary action of pre-manufacturing different configurations allows the line to serve multiple printing device types without continuous modification, reducing overall manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the manufacturing line is modified for different printhead layouts, then various printing settings can be produced, but the production time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinthead layout optionsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the printhead carrier into a standardized frame component and separate printhead carrier components with fixed layouts, the manufacturing process is simplified. The frame component can be produced using a single standardized process, while different printhead carrier components are pre-manufactured and stored. This reduces the complexity of the manufacturing line itself, as it only needs to produce the standardized frame and then assemble the pre-configured components, rather than reconfiguring the entire assembly process for each layout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The different printhead carrier components with various layouts are prepared in advance through preliminary manufacturing actions. This allows the main manufacturing line to focus only on producing the standardized frame component and then performing a simple assembly operation with the pre-configured components. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of the ongoing manufacturing process and enables quick production of different printing device configurations without line modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing manufacturing lines are modified to accommodate new printhead layouts, then product versatility improves, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting device configuration optionsVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the printhead carrier into a standardized frame component and interchangeable printhead carrier components. This allows the manufacturing line to maintain a single standardized production process for the frame component while storing different printhead carrier variants. As a result, the line can produce various printing device configurations without modifying the production line, thereby maintaining low production costs while improving product versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized frame component serves as a universal base that can accommodate multiple types of printhead carrier components with different layouts. This multi-functionality allows a single manufacturing line to produce multiple printing device configurations by simply changing the printhead carrier component, not the frame component or the manufacturing line itself. This universality maintains production cost efficiency while enabling product versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12145380B2Modular printer carriage

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A method of manufacturing a printer carriage comprises providing a printhead carrier component to receive a plurality of printheads according to a predefined printhead layout, providing a frame component, and attaching the printhead carrier component to the frame component. The printhead carrier component and the frame component are distinct components, which can be separately manufactured.