Printer-Plotter Head Segmentation for Motor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printer-plotter devices require large electric motors to drive both the printer and cutting heads, leading to increased size and cost, and risk contamination of the cutting head due to ink adhesion, especially with solvent inks, which can damage electrical components.
Innovation Solution
A printer-plotter design featuring independent movement of the printer and cutting heads along a guide rail using a driving belt, with mechanisms to detachably connect and disconnect each head from the belt, allowing for separate operation and reducing the need for a large motor capacity and minimizing ink contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer head is connected directly to the cutting head during printing, then both heads can be moved together, but large belt driving force is required which increases motor size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the head movement system into two independent segments: the cutting head is connected to the belt for lateral movement, while the printer head is fixed to the guide rail. This segmentation allows the belt to only drive the cutting head, reducing the required motor capacity while maintaining both cutting and printing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer head is extracted from the belt-driven moving system and fixed to the guide rail. This extraction removes the unnecessary load from the belt driving system, allowing a smaller motor to suffice for driving only the cutting head during cutting operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printer head is connected directly to the cutting head during printing, then both heads are moved together, but ink droplets may adhere to the cutting head causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the positioning systems so that the printer head is fixed to the guide rail while the cutting head moves independently on the belt, the patent prevents physical contact between the two heads during printing, thereby eliminating ink contamination of the cutting head.
Solution Approach 2:
The printer head is extracted from the moving assembly and fixed separately, creating physical separation between the ink ejection path and the cutting head. This extraction prevents solvent ink from adhering to the cutting head and its electrical components.
3Reliability
If the printer head is fixed to the fixing member during cutting, then only the cutting head moves, but the apparatus requires large motor capacity to move both heads together during printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements permanent segmentation by fixing the printer head to the guide rail and connecting only the cutting head to the belt. This eliminates the need to switch between fixed and moving configurations, allowing a smaller motor to continuously drive only the cutting head without requiring excessive capacity.
4Reliability
If expensive ink-resistant materials are used for wire coatings and harnesses, then the cutting head can resist solvent ink, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the printer head from proximity to the cutting head and fixing it to the guide rail, the patent eliminates the need for expensive ink-resistant materials on the cutting head's electrical components. The physical separation prevents solvent ink contact, allowing use of standard, cost-effective materials.
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 design reduces the motor size and cost, prevents ink adhesion and contamination of the cutting head during printing, and eliminates the need for expensive ink-resistant materials, enhancing operational reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a driving mechanism for moving the driving force transmitting member
Data Source
AI summary
A printer-plotter includes a guide rail, a first head, a second head, a driving device, a first connecting mechanism and a second connecting mechanism. The guide rail extends in a longitudinal direction. The first head is supported by the guide rail and movable along the longitudinal direction. The second head is supported by the guide rail and movable independently of the first head along the longitudinal direction. The driving device includes a driving force transmitting member and a driving mechanism configured to move the driving force transmitting member. The first connecting mechanism is configured to detachably connect the first head to the driving force transmitting member. The second connecting mechanism is configured to detachably connect the second head to the driving force transmitting member.