Printer Ink Tube Support Beam Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The tube engaging member in printers limits the working space when paper jams occur, making it difficult to remove paper from the printer's opening portion.
Innovation Solution
A printer design with a first and second ink storage unit, a discharging head, a carriage, and a tube system supported by beams, allowing the carriage to move in two directions and enabling the tube to be curved around the beams, reducing the risk of bending and improving operational access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tube engagement member is provided across the opening portion to support the ink tube, then the ink tube is stably supported, but the working space is limited when paper jam occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tube engagement member is divided into a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion separated by a gap. This segmentation allows the opening portion to remain accessible for paper removal while still providing stable support for the ink tube through the distributed engagement portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink tube is configured to be curved around the first and second engagement portions, nesting the tube within the structure formed by these portions. This allows the tube to be securely supported without requiring a continuous beam across the entire opening portion.
2Reliability
If the beam is extended across the opening portion to support the tube, then the tube position is regulated, but the range of motion of the carriage is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The beam structure is segmented into discrete engagement portions rather than a continuous beam, creating gaps that allow the carriage to move freely while still providing sufficient support points for the ink tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink tube is configured to curve around the engagement portions in three-dimensional space, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions to achieve stable positioning without requiring horizontal extension of the beam across the opening portion.
3Reliability
If the tube engagement member spans the opening portion, then the ink supply path is stabilized, but the nozzle surface is exposed to potential contact with the star wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (star wheel) is extracted from the direct path between the ink tube and nozzle surface. The engagement portions are positioned to provide support without creating interference zones where the star wheel could contact the nozzle surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second engagement portions act as intermediary support elements that stabilize the ink tube at a safe distance from the nozzle surface, preventing direct contact between the tube and star wheel while maintaining ink supply stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A first ink storage unit, a second ink storage unit, a discharging head configured to discharge the ink, a carriage configured to move the discharging head and the second ink storage unit in a first direction and a second direction, a tube that couples the first ink storage unit and the second ink storage unit, and a case provided with a first opening portion located vertically above a home position and a second opening portion located vertically above a first printing position, and including a beam located between the first opening portion and the second opening portion, are provided. The beam is an edge of the second opening portion, and when the carriage is located at the home position, the first ink storage unit and the second ink storage unit are located in the same direction with respect to the beam and the tube is supported by the beam.