Printer Platen Leveling Mechanism with Spring Restoring Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet recording devices have limited range and accuracy in adjusting the levelness of the platen, which can lead to inadequate leveling and potential backlash, affecting printing quality due to variations in ink droplet placement on the printing medium.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a platen with a leveling mechanism featuring a female screw, an adjusting member with a male screw, an engaging member, and a spring, allowing for precise adjustment of the platen's levelness by compressing the spring to generate a restoring force, reducing backlash and enhancing printing quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If elastic support members are used to adjust platen levelness, then the platen can be leveled, but the adjustment range is limited and backlash may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic leveling mechanism where the adjusting member can be rotated to change the engagement position of the male screw with different threads of the female screw. This dynamic adjustment capability allows continuous variation of the platen's vertical position, eliminating the limited range problem of elastic support members while maintaining reliability through precise mechanical engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of adjustment range by replacing elastic support members with a screw mechanism. The female screw and male screw configuration allows for continuous adjustment of the platen's vertical position by rotating the adjusting member, thereby changing the engagement depth along the threaded portion. This provides a large adjustment range without the backlash issues inherent in elastic materials.
2Length of stationary object
If elastic support members are tightened to adjust levelness, then the platen distance can be varied, but the adjustment range remains small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the adjusting member can be rotated to engage the male screw at different positions along the female screw's threaded portion. This allows continuous adjustment of the distance between the platen and platen mounting plate over a large range, overcoming the limited adjustment capability of elastic support members while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the elastic mechanical system (elastic support members that rely on material deformation) with a threaded mechanical system (female screw and male screw). This substitution enables large-range adjustment through the linear displacement achieved by rotational movement along the threads, providing both extensive adjustment range and fine adjustment capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the platen leveling is inadequate, then assembly is simpler, but printing quality deteriorates due to ink droplet position shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a dynamic leveling adjustment mechanism that allows the platen to be leveled precisely after assembly. The adjusting member can be rotated to modify the engagement position of the screw components, enabling fine-tuning of the platen's levelness. This ensures high printing quality by allowing precise adjustment of ink droplet landing positions while maintaining relatively simple assembly procedures.
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
The solution enables more precise adjustment of the platen's levelness, reducing backlash and ensuring consistent printing quality by allowing for greater range of adjustment and minimizing wobbling of the adjusting screw, thus improving the overall printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
The spring generates a restoring force when the spring compressed between the engaging member and the female screw
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a discharge portion, a platen, a support portion, a female screw, an adjusting member, an engaging member, and a spring. The discharge portion discharges a liquid. The platen has a platen hole, is disposed to face the discharge portion, and supports a printing medium. The support portion is disposed on the opposite side of the platen from the discharge portion and faces the platen. The adjusting member is rotatably attached to the platen by being inserted into the platen hole, and screws into the female screw provided on the support portion. The engaging member is disposed between the platen and the female screw, and engages with the adjusting member. The spring is disposed around the circumference of the adjusting member, between the engaging member and the female screw. The spring generates a restoring force when the spring compressed between the engaging member and the female screw.