Print Head Mounting Link for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibrations in the cable guide and cables of reciprocating print heads, such as in ink jet printers, can degrade the quality of printed images due to transmission of vibrations to the print head, despite existing solutions that attempt to absorb or attenuate these vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A rigid and play-free link connecting the print head carrier and cable guide carrier along the scan axis, allowing them to move as a single rigid body, while being resilient in other degrees of freedom to absorb vibrations, thereby minimizing oscillatory movements and maintaining precise position control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible cable guide is used to guide cables from stationary parts to the moving print head, then cables can be transmitted without entanglement, but vibrations are induced in the cable guide and transmitted to the print head, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is divided into two independently guided components: a print head carrier and a cable guide carrier. Each has its own runner block that guides it independently along the beam, separating the cable guidance function from the print head mounting function to prevent vibration transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A link mechanism connects the print head carrier and cable guide carrier, allowing them to move jointly while providing play in all degrees of freedom to reduce vibration transmission. The link acts as an intermediary that couples the two carriers while filtering out vibrational disturbances.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cable guide carrier separate from the print head carrier is used with independent guidance at the beam, then vibration-induced forces are absorbed directly in the beam, but a link must be designed to reduce vibration transmission while ensuring joint movement
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism provides play (clearance) in all degrees of freedom, changing the mechanical parameter from rigid connection to compliant connection. This allows the link to accommodate vibrations while maintaining the joint movement requirement, reducing vibration transmission without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a pin and slot connection with play is used in the link, then vibrations in the scan axis direction are suppressed to some extent, but the connection must allow relative movement in lengthwise directions
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic connection with play that adapts to vibrational movements. The pin can move freely within the slot in lengthwise directions while maintaining connection, allowing the system to dynamically respond to vibrations while preserving the functional relationship between carriers.
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
This solution effectively reduces vibrations and perturbations in the print head carrier and cable guide carrier, ensuring improved image quality by shifting resonance frequencies away from vibration frequencies and maintaining precise movement control along the scan axis.
Implementation Method 1
the link is resilient in all remaining degrees of freedom
Implementation Method 2
the link is rigid and play-free in the direction of the scan axis
Implementation Method 3
As the link is play-free in this direction, no shocks will be created when the direction of movement of the carriage is reversed
Implementation Method 4
the resonance frequency of such oscillations is shifted into a range far away from the vibration frequencies of the cable guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A print head mounting structure comprises a beam (10) that extends along a scan axis y of the print head; and a carriage (14) adapted to be driven for reciprocating movement along the beam. The carriage comprises a print head carrier (16) for carrying the print head, a cable guide carrier (32) and a link (42). The print head carrier has a first runner block (24) arranged to guide the print head carrier along the beam. The cable guide carrier (32) is connected to a flexible cable guide (34) that extends along the beamand has a second runner block (40) arranged to guide the cable guide carrier (32) along the beam independently of the print head carrier (16). The link (42) connects the print head carrier (16) and the cable guide carrier (32) for joint movement along the beam (10), wherein the link (42) is rigid and play-free in the direction of the scan axis y and is resilient in all remaining degrees of freedom.