Removable Box Module for Printer Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses, such as franking machines, face difficulties in maintenance due to limited access to sensors, transport elements, and inkjet print heads, leading to risks of injury and contamination, as well as dryout of inkjet print heads during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A modular printing apparatus design allows for the removal of a box-shaped module, enabling easy access to the ink sump, pressure unit, and transport path, with a locking mechanism that switches between operating and service modes to prevent electrical contact with inkjet print heads and maintain inkjet print head functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lower transport unit is lowered or folded to correct a paper jam, then access to the transport path is improved, but the risk of injury to the operator increases and access to sensors and transport elements remains difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to transport pathVSAvoidrisk of injury to operator

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus is divided into a stationary upper housing shell and a removable lower housing shell that can be completely detached from the transport unit. This segmentation allows the operator to remove the entire lower housing shell for safe access to the transport path, eliminating the risk of injury while maintaining easy access to all components including sensors and transport elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If the lower housing shell is made removable for maintenance access, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases due to locking mechanisms and mode switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidlocking mechanism and mode switching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower housing shell is designed with dynamic characteristics, being removable only in service mode and fixed only in operating mode. The locking mechanism automatically engages or disengages based on the operational state, providing easy access during maintenance while ensuring safety during operation without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism operates automatically based on the operational mode of the printing apparatus. When switching between operating and service modes, the locking mechanism self-activates to either secure or release the lower housing shell, eliminating the need for complex manual locking procedures and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If the box-shaped module is made removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential contamination and electrical contact risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to ink sump and pressure unitVSAvoidcontamination risk and electrical contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before removing the box-shaped module for maintenance, the system automatically executes preliminary actions including deactivating electrical connections to the inkjet print heads and positioning the print carriage in a sealed position. This prevents electrical contact and contamination risks before the module is removed, ensuring safe maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A sealed position mechanism acts as an intermediary between the inkjet print heads and the external environment during module removal. The print carriage is positioned in this sealed position to block electrical connections and prevent contamination, serving as a protective mediator that allows safe access to the ink sump and pressure unit without exposing operators to harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the print carriage is moved to a sealed position to prevent electrical contact, then reliability is improved, but the inkjet print heads may dry out during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of electrical contactVSAvoiddryout of inkjet print heads

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning and sealing station continuously performs cleaning actions on the inkjet print heads while they remain in the sealed position during module removal. This continuous cleaning action prevents ink drying and maintains the functionality of the print heads, ensuring that the useful action of keeping the print heads moist continues even when the module is removed for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8702229B2Modular printing apparatus with a removable, box-shaped module

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 FRANCOTYP POSTALIA AG & CO KG

AI summary

A modular printing apparatus has a printing device with an inkjet print head and a box-shaped module that urges items toward the print head, for printing thereon. In an operating mode, the box-shaped module is inserted into the printing apparatus via a mechanical connection and can be removed from the printing apparatus in a service mode. A triggering mechanism acts on a locking mechanism with first and second force components that couple the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to one another in the operating mode to lock the box-shaped module in a bay of the printing apparatus at the printing apparatus. The second force component acts in an opposite direction in the service mode, to disengage the locking mechanism and the mechanical connection element to unlock and remove the box-shaped module.