Inkjet Printer Maintenance Unit Orthogonal Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in reducing maintenance time for recording heads while minimizing the increase in apparatus size, particularly due to the weight of the recording head and the need for significant space for rotational movement, which complicates height dimension management.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a support section and a maintenance unit that switches positions using a movement mechanism involving a movable carriage, guide member, and link member, allowing the maintenance unit to move orthogonally to the recording head and maintain a horizontal posture, thereby reducing the need for large space and minimizing height increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the maintenance unit is disposed outside the recording region and the recording head is moved to the maintenance position, then maintenance can be performed, but the time taken for maintenance increases due to the weight of the recording head
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the recording head to the maintenance position, the invention inverts the approach by moving the maintenance unit to the recording position. The maintenance unit is disposed inside the recording region and can be moved to the recording head position without requiring the recording head itself to move, thereby reducing maintenance time despite the recording head's weight.
2Ease of repair
If the maintenance unit is disposed at the lower side of the recording head, then maintenance can be performed, but the apparatus height dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spatial arrangement by moving the maintenance unit from a vertical position (lower side of recording head) to a horizontal position (inside the recording region). The maintenance unit can be moved along the transport direction (horizontally) to reach the recording head, eliminating the need for excessive height while maintaining maintenance accessibility.
3Ease of repair
If the support section and cap are rotationally moved to switch between recording and maintenance positions, then maintenance can be performed without moving the recording head, but a large space is necessary particularly in the height direction
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using rotational movement of the support section and cap, the invention employs linear movement of the maintenance unit along the transport direction. The maintenance unit is movable in the transport direction to reach the recording head position, eliminating the need for rotational movement and the associated large space requirements in the height direction.
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 configuration enables faster maintenance of the recording head without increasing the apparatus size, reduces wear and leakage risks, and maintains the horizontal posture of the cap to prevent ink dripping, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing uncleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
when the maintenance unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, by the link member rotating using the guided section as a support point
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a recording apparatus including a recording head which performs recording on a recording medium, a support section which is displaced between a support position which faces the recording head and supports the recording medium, and a position which is retreated from the support position, a capping unit which carries out maintenance on the recording head at a facing position which faces the recording head by switching the support section, and a movement mechanism which moves the capping unit between the facing position and the position which is retreated from the facing position, and when the capping unit comes close to the facing position, or separates from the facing position, the movement mechanism moves the capping unit in a direction which is orthogonal to a head surface of the recording head.