Printer Carriage Balance Control via Cartridge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Recording apparatuses that use multiple ink cartridges for color printing can become unbalanced if not all cartridges are attached, leading to reduced recording quality and potential damage due to pressure issues from ink moisture.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus design with a carriage that includes a first cartridge for ink supply and a second non-supplying cartridge with an information holder, allowing the control portion to recognize the second cartridge's state and perform recording operations using only the ink from the first cartridge, maintaining balance and preventing pressure buildup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If only one cartridge is attached to the carriage, then the device can perform monochrome printing, but the carriage becomes unbalanced and recording quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonochrome printing capabilityVSAvoidrecording quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the balance function from the mechanical carriage structure and transfers it to the control system. The control portion detects the presence/absence of cartridges and dynamically adjusts operation mode accordingly, separating the mechanical balance requirement from the printing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The control portion receives feedback from cartridge presence detection and adjusts the operation mode based on this information. When only one cartridge is detected, the system switches to monochrome mode with adjusted carriage control to maintain balance and recording quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cartridges are attached to the carriage, then color printing is enabled, but pressure buildup from ink moisture damages the recording head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor printing capabilityVSAvoidpressure buildup damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control portion continuously monitors cartridge status and ink levels, providing feedback to prevent pressure buildup. When pressure reaches dangerous levels or ink moisture is detected, the system adjusts operation parameters or alerts the user to prevent damage to the recording head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9914304B2Recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.03.13 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A recording apparatus includes a carriage including a recording head that performs recording on a medium, the carriage being movable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a control portion that controls the recording head and the carriage. The carriage has a first disposal section in which a first cartridge that supplies a liquid to the recording head is disposed and a second disposal section in which a second cartridge that does not supply a liquid to the recording head is disposed. The first cartridge includes a first information holder that holds information about the first cartridge. The second cartridge includes a second information holder that holds information about the second cartridge. The control portion executes a control of performing recording by using only the liquid contained in the first cartridge on the basis of the information held by the second information holder.