Printer Reciprocating Carriage Two-Stage Frame Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printers with stiff frame structures to absorb high inertia forces during rapid carriage movement in large format printing suffer from increased costs and weight, leading to potential distortions and vibrations that degrade print quality.
Innovation Solution
The drive mechanism is directly supported by the lower frame, allowing reaction forces to bypass the upper frame, which supports the platen, enabling a lightweight and inexpensive upper frame construction while maintaining accurate image registration through a compliant mechanical link and detection system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the frame structure is made very stiff to absorb high inertia forces during rapid carriage acceleration and deceleration, then the print quality is maintained by avoiding distortions and vibrations, but the costs and weight of the frame structure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is divided into two functional parts: an upper frame supporting the platen and a lower frame supporting the drive mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the upper frame can be lightweight while the lower frame handles the inertia forces, resolving the contradiction between print quality and overall frame weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic inertia forces are extracted from the upper frame system by providing a separate lower frame and direct support path. The drive mechanism is supported by the lower frame rather than the upper frame, so the high inertia forces during rapid carriage acceleration are absorbed by the lower frame, allowing the upper frame to remain lightweight while maintaining print quality.
2Weight of stationary object
If the upper frame is made lightweight and inexpensive, then the costs and weight are reduced, but distortions and vibrations occur that degrade print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful inertia forces are extracted from the upper frame system by providing a separate lower frame and direct support path. The drive mechanism is supported by the lower frame rather than the upper frame, so the high inertia forces during rapid carriage acceleration are absorbed by the lower frame, allowing the upper frame to remain lightweight while maintaining print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower frame acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the drive mechanism and the ground. It provides a dedicated path for inertia forces to reach the ground without passing through the upper frame, enabling the upper frame to be lightweight while still maintaining the precision required for high-quality printing.
3Productivity
If the carriage is accelerated and decelerated rapidly to achieve high throughput in large format printing, then the productivity is improved, but the drive mechanism is subject to relatively high forces of inertia that must be absorbed by the frame structure
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is segmented into upper and lower parts with distinct functions. The lower frame is specifically designed to handle the high inertia forces from rapid carriage acceleration, while the upper frame maintains the platen position precision. This allows high-speed printing without requiring the entire frame to be heavily reinforced.
Solution Approach 2:
The inertia forces are extracted from the upper frame system by providing a separate lower frame and direct support path. The drive mechanism is supported by the lower frame rather than the upper frame, so the high inertia forces during rapid carriage acceleration are absorbed by the lower frame, allowing the upper frame to remain lightweight while maintaining print quality.
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 design achieves high print quality with reduced distortions and vibrations, allowing for predictable and reproducible operation, even with a lightweight upper frame, by isolating reaction forces from the upper frame and using a detection system for precise carriage positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the mechanical link between the drive mechanism and the lower frame may be formed by a leaf spring that is oriented in the Y-Z-plane
Implementation Method 2
The accuracy of image registration may be improved further by utilizing a detection system for the Y-position of the carriage, which measures the position of the carriage not in relation to the guide rail but directly in relation to the recording medium or the platen
Data Source
AI summary
A printer including: a frame composed of a lower frame and an upper frame supported on the lower frame, a platen rotatably supported in the upper frame for advancing a recording medium, a guide rail extending in parallel with an axial direction (Y) of the platen, a carriage guided at the guide rail and carrying a printhead, and a drive mechanism adapted to drive the carriage reciprocatingly along the guide rail, wherein the drive mechanism is directly supported in said axial direction (Y) by the lower frame.