Pivotable Printhead Holder for Ribbon Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers for marking electrical components face difficulties in efficiently inserting and positioning ink ribbons, requiring significant effort and precise alignment to ensure high print quality, especially when dealing with diverse object dimensions and materials.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a pivotably mounted print head holder and spring arms on the ink ribbon cassette, allowing easy insertion and removal of ribbons while maintaining a predetermined distance for precise printing, along with optical sensors for ribbon identification and adaptive printing parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the printhead is fixed in position for precise printing, then print quality is maintained, but ribbon replacement becomes difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead holder is made pivotable between a closed printing position and an open replacement position. This dynamic mechanism allows the printhead to be easily accessed for ribbon replacement while maintaining precise positioning during printing operations, resolving the contradiction between fixed precision and operational ease
2Measurement precision
If spring arms are added to automatically position the ribbon cartridge, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Spring arms are integrated into the ribbon cartridge itself, allowing it to automatically position and engage with the printhead holder when inserted. This self-positioning mechanism eliminates the need for complex external positioning systems while ensuring precise alignment for high-quality printing
3Adaptability or versatility
If the printer is designed to handle diverse object dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of maintaining consistent print quality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printer is designed with a universal receiving device that can accommodate various object dimensions and types. The spring-armed ribbon positioning system and adjustable printhead holder provide consistent positioning and printing parameters across different objects, maintaining print quality while handling diverse materials
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer (1) for printing on objects (2) for marking electrical components is shown and described, comprising a housing (3), a printing chamber (4) formed within the housing (3), a printhead (5), a replaceable ribbon cassette (6), a receiving device (8) for a printing object (2), a control and evaluation unit (10) and an input and display device (12), wherein the receiving device (8) is movable between a loading and unloading position outside the printing chamber (3) and a printing position inside the printing chamber (3).In the printer (1) according to the invention, an ink ribbon (7) can be used with minimal effort and at the same time it is ensured that, during printing operation, the ink ribbon (7) has a predetermined distance to the printhead (5), that a printhead holder (15), to whose underside (16) the printhead (5) is attached, is pivotably mounted in the housing (3) such that, in the closed position of the printhead holder (15), the printhead (5) is arranged in a working position above the ink ribbon cassette (6), and in a pivoted position of the printhead holder (15), an ink ribbon cassette (6) can be inserted into the housing (3).is removable from the housing (3), and that at least one spring arm (17, 18) is designed on the top of the ribbon cassette (6) or on the bottom (16) of the printhead holder (15) such that the spring arm (17, 18) is deflected in the closed position of the printhead holder (15) so that the ribbon cassette (6) has a predetermined distance to the printhead (5).