Printer Head Alignment Assembly with External Adjustment Handles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head alignment methods in printers are cumbersome, requiring skilled personnel and extensive time for fine adjustments, as they involve disassembling the head section and are prone to misalignment due to external factors like vibration and shock.
Innovation Solution
A head alignment assembly that allows for simple external adjustment using a handle system with push rods, support blocks, and reaction force members, enabling precise alignment without disassembling the printer head section, allowing unskilled personnel to perform fine adjustments efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fine adjustment method using fine adjustment screw is used, then head position can be adjusted, but the operation becomes cumbersome requiring disassembly and assembly of head section
Solution Approach 1:
The head section is divided into a movable head unit and a fixed base plate with separate adjustment mechanisms. The head can be independently adjusted along the main scan direction and sub scan direction without disassembling the entire head section, allowing precise alignment while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Linear driving plates and oscillating plates are introduced as intermediary elements between the head and base plate. These intermediaries enable fine adjustment through rotation of linear driving plates and oscillation of oscillating plates, converting simple rotational operations into precise linear and angular adjustments of the head position.
2Manufacturing precision
If head section is disassembled for fine adjustment, then alignment can be performed, but time consumption increases due to disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanisms (linear driving plates, oscillating plates) are pre-installed and configured within the head section during manufacturing. This preliminary setup allows operators to perform fine adjustments by simply rotating the linear driving plates without any disassembly, eliminating the time-consuming disassembly and reassembly steps while maintaining alignment precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional adjustment method is used, then head position can be set, but repeated adjustment is needed due to vibration and external shock
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating plates are designed to accommodate dynamic adjustments. When external factors like vibration or shock cause misalignment, operators can simply rotate the linear driving plates to re-establish the correct head position. The oscillating mechanism allows for quick, dynamic corrections without requiring complex disassembly procedures, improving both reliability and ease of maintenance.
4Manufacturing precision
If fine adjustment screw is used, then biaxial movement is achieved, but operation requires skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical operation of manipulating fine adjustment screws for biaxial movement is replaced with a simpler rotational mechanism. By rotating the linear driving plates, operators can achieve precise adjustment in the main scan direction, and by oscillating the oscillating plates, adjustment in the sub scan direction is achieved. This substitution of mechanical systems reduces the skill requirement while maintaining alignment precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a head alignment assembly in which a deviation of the head can be aligned conveniently with simple operation from the outside of the printer head section. The head alignment assembly includes a base plate to which at least one head unit is fixed to be exposed downward by a first head support block and a second head support block; a first fine adjustment section configured to shift the first head support block in a longitudinal direction of the head unit; and a second fine adjustment section configured to shift the second head support block in a transverse direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the head unit. The first fine adjustment section includes a first push rod supported by fixed guides, which are fixed on the base plate to press the first head support block; and a first handle fixed to one end of the first push rod to move the first push rod in the longitudinal direction. The second fine adjustment section includes a second push block configured to press the second head support block in the transverse direction; a second push rod supported by a plurality of fixed guides which are fixed on the base plate; and a second handle fixed to one end of the second push rod to move the second push rod in the axial direction.