Printer Resin Base Integrating Carriage and Platen Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers face challenges in reducing size and cost while maintaining high accuracy due to the limitations of metal chassis construction, which affects the positioning of components and leads to increased costs and reduced space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The printer employs a base with molded resin side members that hold key components like the carriage chassis, platen, and feed unit, optimizing their positioning for high accuracy and reducing the number of components, thereby enabling a compact and lightweight design with reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sheet metal construction with multiple bends is used to position components, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the number of components increases and space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate sheet metal components into a single integrated base structure. The base includes integrated positioning portions for the carriage shaft, transport roller, and platen, eliminating the need for separate side plate portions and stay members. This reduces the number of components while maintaining positioning accuracy through direct integration of all positioning functions into one molded piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, positions the carriage shaft, positions the transport roller, and supports the platen. The single base structure integrates all these positioning and support functions that previously required multiple separate components, improving space efficiency while maintaining all necessary positioning capabilities.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used for chassis construction, then positioning of component parts can be achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate chassis components into a single molded base structure. This integration reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining positioning accuracy through the integrated design of all positioning features within the single base component.
3Length of moving object
If roller length is increased to match carriage shaft length, then transport coverage is improved, but flexure increases and transport accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different length characteristics to different rollers based on their specific functional requirements. The transport roller has an optimized length that provides sufficient transport coverage without excessive flexure, while the discharge roller and feed roller have lengths optimized for their respective functions. This localized optimization of roller lengths ensures each roller performs its function with maximum accuracy without the compromises required by a uniform length design.
4Weight of stationary object
If resin material is used instead of sheet metal, then weight and cost are reduced, but strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a molded resin base structure that achieves the necessary mechanical strength through material selection and structural design. The resin material is formulated and molded to provide sufficient strength and rigidity for positioning and supporting all transport and recording components, while simultaneously reducing weight compared to traditional sheet metal construction. The integrated molding process creates a structure with optimized wall thickness and reinforcement features that compensate for the lower inherent strength of resin compared to metal.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer has a base, first and second side members placed on opposite side portions of a base with respect to a first direction, at least one roller for transporting a sheet in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a print unit and a platen, the roller, the print unit and the platen being held with the first side member and the second side member. The first side member and the second side member are formed by a molded first resin material and the base is formed by a molded second resin material, and a bending elastic modulus of the first resin material is larger than that of the second resin material.