Handheld Printer Sensor Displacement Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld printing apparatuses risk deteriorating printing quality due to sensors rubbing against printed areas, causing ink detachment and transfer, especially when ink is not yet fixed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second detection unit that can be separated from the print medium during printing operations to prevent contact with the printed area, while using a guide unit and displacement mechanism to maintain accurate detection of the printing apparatus's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a plurality of sensors constantly contact a print medium to detect the moving amount of the printing apparatus, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the sensors may rub against the printed area causing ink detachment and transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidink detachment and transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The first detection unit is configured to be movable relative to the print medium, switching between a first state where it contacts the print medium for detection and a second state where it is separated from the print medium. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain detection accuracy when needed while preventing harmful contact during printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement unit periodically displaces the first detection unit between contacting and separated states in synchronization with the printing process. During non-printing periods, the sensor contacts the medium for detection; during printing periods, the sensor is separated to prevent ink interference, thus achieving both accurate detection and prevention of ink detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the first detection unit is separated from the print medium to prevent ink detachment, then printing quality is improved, but the detection of moving amount may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting qualityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the contact state of the first detection unit based on the printing process phase. The displacement unit controls the timing and extent of separation, ensuring that detection accuracy is maintained during non-printing phases while preventing ink interference during printing phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that coordinates between the printing unit and the first detection unit. It manages the timing of separation and contact, ensuring that the detection unit is separated only when necessary to prevent ink detachment, thereby maintaining both printing quality and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a displacement unit is added to separate the first detection unit from the print medium, then ink detachment is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink detachment and transferVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it separates the first detection unit from the print medium to prevent ink detachment, and simultaneously maintains the detection capability when needed. This multi-functional design reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The displacement unit is integrated with the existing sensor assembly and control system, combining the separation function with the detection function in a unified structure. This integration approach minimizes the addition of separate components and reduces overall system complexity while achieving the goal of preventing ink detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11833845B2Hanheld printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.05 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a printing apparatus including: a holding unit configured to be held by a user to move the printing apparatus; a printing unit configured to print an image onto a print medium according to a movement of the printing apparatus; a guide unit configured to guide the movement of the printing apparatus; a first detection unit configured to detect a relative moving amount between the printing apparatus and the print medium; a second detection unit provided at a position different from a position of the first detection unit; and a displacement unit configured to displace the first detection unit from a state where the first detection unit and the second detection unit are both in contact with the print medium into a state where the first detection unit is separated from the print medium.