Printer Height Detection Using Multiple Detectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile printers lack accurate detection of print target height, leading to potential nozzle contact and reduced printing accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The printer incorporates multiple height detectors positioned at different points in the sub-scanning direction, allowing for precise detection of the print target's height and preventing nozzle contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a single height detector is used to detect the print target, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of printing are compromised due to inaccurate height detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoiddetector arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height detection function is segmented into multiple detectors positioned at different locations along the sub-scanning direction. Each detector monitors a specific region, and the control unit integrates information from all detectors to determine the overall print target height, achieving comprehensive and accurate height detection without requiring a single complex detector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system transitions from a single-point detection to multi-point detection along the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis). By adding the spatial dimension of detector distribution, the system achieves more comprehensive height information across the entire print width, improving printing accuracy while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the holder moves the print target quickly in the sub-scanning direction, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential nozzle contact from inaccurate height detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidgap control between nozzle and print target

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The multiple height detectors perform preliminary detection of the print target height and position before the printing operation begins. The control unit processes this detection information in advance to calculate the optimal holder position, ensuring the correct gap is established before high-speed printing starts, thus preventing nozzle contact while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The height detectors provide continuous feedback information about the print target position to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit dynamically adjusts the holder position to maintain the optimal gap between the nozzle and print target during high-speed operation, preventing nozzle contact while sustaining high printing speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12202278B2Printer

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A printer includes: a liquid discharger configured to discharge a liquid onto a print target; a carriage configured to move the liquid discharger in a main scanning direction; a holder configured to hold the print target and relatively move the print target in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction to cause the print target to face the liquid discharger; and multiple height detectors at different positions in the sub-scanning direction, the multiple height detectors configured to detect the print target on the holder.