Print Head Assembly Dynamic Shifting Circuit Board
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial ink jet printers face damage risks to circuit boards during ink cartridge installation and removal due to inadvertent contact, requiring larger and more cumbersome systems for angular cartridge shifting, which increases size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A print head assembly with a dynamically shifting circuit board that moves outward from the cartridge cavity upon opening the cover, utilizing a cooperative mechanism between a front plate and bias members, along with an interactive cam system, allowing for vertical cartridge installation and protection of the circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink cartridges are installed at an angle and shifted angularly into place contacting the circuitry, then the cartridge can be securely held at the interface, but the circuit board becomes vulnerable to damage from inadvertent contact and the system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is made dynamically movable relative to the cartridge cavity through a shifting mechanism. The board can move between a retracted position (away from the cavity) and an extended position (toward the cavity for engagement). This dynamic positioning allows the system to protect the circuit board during cartridge installation/removal while maintaining secure electrical contact during operation, resolving the contradiction between protection and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is segmented from the fixed housing structure, allowing it to move independently. The board is mounted on a mechanism that separates it from the main housing, enabling it to shift position relative to the cartridge cavity. This segmentation permits the board to be pulled back during cartridge handling to prevent damage, while still allowing vertical cartridge insertion without requiring angular shifting or increased cavity space.
2Reliability
If the circuit board is positioned close to the cartridge cavity for engagement, then electrical contact is maintained, but the circuit board is susceptible to damage during cartridge removal and installation
Solution Approach 1:
Before cartridge installation or removal, the circuit board is preliminarily moved to a retracted position that pulls it away from the cartridge cavity. This preliminary action creates clearance that prevents inadvertent contact between the cartridge and circuit board during the insertion/removal process. After the cartridge is properly installed, the board is then moved to the extended position to establish electrical contact, ensuring both protection and functionality.
3Ease of operation
If angular installation of ink cartridges is used, then cartridge securement is achieved, but larger cavity space and overall larger parts are required to accommodate the shifting action
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the cartridge at an angle to achieve securement (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the cartridge insertion path vertical and straight. The circuit board is the moving element that shifts position to accommodate the vertical cartridge insertion. This inversion allows vertical installation without requiring angular movement or additional cavity space, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compact design.
Data Source
AI summary
A print head assembly includes a dynamically shifting circuit board. The circuit board is forced into a rear position toward a cavity for a print ink cartridge and is allowed to move forward away from the cavity for removal of the cartridge, which allows vertical removal and installation rather than requiring angular shifting. The circuit board may be biased in the forward direction away from the cavity and held in place by a plate. The plate is movable between two positions which respectively move the circuit board to the rear position against the bias and allow the circuit boar to move to the forward position via the bias force.