Pressing Unit With Adjustable Force For Inkjet Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressing mechanisms in liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, lack the ability to adjust and switch the pressing force of transport rollers uniformly across the medium, leading to inconsistent medium transportation and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A pressing unit with detachable attachment portions and a pressing force generation mechanism that uses rocking frames and tension coil springs to transmit actuation forces, allowing for adjustable pressing forces by changing the attachment position of the pressing member, and a switching mechanism for discrete force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed pressing force mechanism is used for all transport rollers, then the structure is simple, but the pressing force cannot be adjusted for different medium widths and types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressing force adjustabilityVSAvoidpressing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent pressing units, each capable of applying pressing force to specific regions of the medium. Each pressing unit can be independently adjusted to provide different pressing forces for different medium widths and types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing mechanism transitions from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable system. Each pressing unit can be independently positioned and adjusted along the transport direction, allowing real-time adaptation to different medium characteristics while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If uniform pressing force is applied across all transport rollers, then the mechanism is simple, but medium transportation consistency deteriorates due to non-uniform pressing forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium transportation consistencyVSAvoidpressing force control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different pressing units are assigned different pressing forces based on local requirements. The pressing force generation mechanism provides variable pressing forces to different regions of the medium, ensuring consistent transportation while avoiding the complexity of a completely uniform system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing force parameter is changed independently for each pressing unit. By adjusting the pressing force magnitude and position for each roller, the system achieves consistent medium transportation without requiring complex coordination across all rollers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pressing force is increased to prevent medium damage, then reliability improves, but the risk of medium damage increases due to excessive pressing force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedium transportation reliabilityVSAvoidmedium damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing force is optimized locally for each region and medium type. By providing different pressing forces to different pressing units based on the specific medium characteristics and position, the system achieves reliable transportation while minimizing the risk of damage from excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing force parameter is dynamically adjusted for each pressing unit based on medium type, width, and position. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient pressing force for reliable transportation while avoiding excessive force that could damage the medium.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables flexible and efficient adjustment of pressing forces across the medium, reducing the risk of damage and improving medium transportation consistency by allowing for strong or weak pressing forces to be applied as needed.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing force generation mechanism which generates different pressing forces in each of the attachment portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

using rocking frames and tension coil springs to transmit actuation forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of actuation force transmission members which receive an actuation force of the plurality of actuation members discretely and transmit the actuation force to the attachment portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS9498979B2Pressing unit and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A pressing unit used for pressing a pressing member into a pressing target includes a plurality of attachment portions to which the pressing member is attached, in a detachable manner; and a pressing force generation mechanism which generates different pressing forces in each of the attachment portions.