Print Head Service Shuttle Dynamics and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for servicing print heads in printers often increase the printer's footprint and can lead to misalignment of print heads with the media being printed upon.
Innovation Solution
A printing system that includes a movable print head servicing system with service shuttles and guides, allowing for servicing operations like wiping, spitting, and capping without lateral movement of print heads or repositioning of the media, thereby maintaining compactness and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If existing methods for servicing print heads are used, then print head maintenance can be performed, but the printer footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service shuttle is designed to be movable along the media width rather than stationary. The actuator moves the service shuttle between a retracted position (during printing) and an extended position (during servicing), allowing the servicing functionality to be integrated without permanently increasing the printer footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The service shuttle moves along the media width dimension (transverse to the printing direction), utilizing the available space in this dimension to provide servicing functionality without expanding the printer's longitudinal footprint.
2Ease of repair
If existing methods for servicing print heads are used, then print head maintenance can be performed, but misalignment of print heads with media occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The servicing function is separated from the print head assembly itself and placed on a独立的 service shuttle. This segmentation allows the service shuttle to perform maintenance operations without requiring lateral movement of the print heads, thereby maintaining print head alignment with the media.
Solution Approach 2:
The service shuttle acts as an intermediary between the servicing operations and the print heads. It can extend to provide services like wiping and capping without disturbing the print head positions, thus maintaining alignment precision.
3Ease of repair
If service shuttles are extended to service print heads, then servicing operations can be performed, but interference with printing process may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The service shuttle is dynamically positioned - retracted during printing operations to avoid interference, and extended only when servicing is required. This dynamic positioning ensures that printing productivity is not compromised while still enabling comprehensive print head maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The service shuttle operates periodically - extending to service print heads at scheduled maintenance intervals and retracting during continuous printing operations. This periodic action pattern allows servicing without interfering with the printing process continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a first print head support carrying a plurality of print heads. The first print head support is movable towards and away from the media support and includes one or more guides movably supporting a first print head service shuttle along the media support.