Print-head Carriage Rotatable Latch Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wide-format printers, unwanted movements of the print-head can lead to connectivity failures between the print-head and the electrical board, causing interruptions or noise, and existing mechanisms do not ensure ergonomic and secure attachment of the print-head to the carriage surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A print-head carriage mechanism with a rotatable latch system that allows for a wide aperture angle, incorporating push mechanisms and auxiliary push mechanisms with elastic elements to ensure secure mechanical and electrical connections, facilitating ergonomic insertion and preventing tilting of the print-head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional latch mechanism is used to secure the print-head, then the print-head can be attached to the carriage, but the aperture angle is limited and insertion is not ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed with rotational freedom around a pivot point, allowing the lever to move through a wide aperture angle (greater than 180 degrees) during insertion. This dynamic movement enables ergonomic access while maintaining secure attachment when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The latch is positioned at a location remote from the pivot point, creating a lever arm that amplifies the aperture angle. By operating in a different spatial dimension (rotational movement around pivot), the mechanism achieves both wide aperture for ergonomics and secure closure
2Ease of operation
If the latch is positioned close to the pivot point, then the mechanism is compact, but the aperture angle is reduced and ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch is positioned far from the pivot point in the rotational dimension, which amplifies the aperture angle and improves ergonomics. The compactness is maintained by efficiently arranging the lever arm and spring mechanism in the available space
3Reliability
If a simple attachment mechanism is used, then the device is simple, but secure mechanical and electrical connections cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to exert a pushing force on the print-head before the latch is fully closed. This preliminary action ensures that mechanical and electrical connections are established and secured before final locking occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the latch mechanism and the print-head, providing continuous pushing force to ensure secure connection. This intermediary force maintains reliable contact throughout the attachment process
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
The mechanism provides stable, ergonomic, and secure attachment of the print-head, preventing connectivity failures and ensuring accurate alignment, thus maintaining uninterrupted printing and improving user experience by ensuring proper mechanical and electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating push mechanisms and auxiliary push mechanisms with elastic elements to ensure secure mechanical and electrical connections
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed a print-head carriage comprising base and a tab with a rotatable connection to the base on a first end, the rotation of the tab defining a closed position in which a second end opposite to the first end is in contact with the base and an open position in which the second end is separated from the base, the base being adapted to receive a print-head along an insertion direction when the tab is in the open position wherein the tab further comprises a latch located at a position remote to the rotatable connection comprising a lever, that separates from the tab in an unlocked position and moves towards the tab in a locked position; wherein the latch comprises a biasing mechanism to bias the latch to the locked position.