Printer Sub-Carriage Temperature Sensor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers face issues with ink head nozzle drying out when the carriage moves to measure surface temperature, leading to potential ink ejection failures.
Innovation Solution
A printer design featuring a sub-carriage with a temperature sensor that moves independently of the print carriage, allowing temperature measurement without exposing the ink head to drying conditions, and an adjustable dryer to maintain optimal temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the carriage is moved to measure the temperature, then the temperature measurement is achieved, but the ink head nozzle may dry out causing ink ejection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is divided into two independent parts: the print carriage that holds the ink head and remains stationary, and the sub-carriage that moves independently to perform temperature measurement. This segmentation allows the measurement function to be performed without moving the ink head, thus preventing nozzle drying while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sub-carriage acts as an intermediary device that performs the temperature measurement function without requiring the print carriage to move. The sub-carriage carries the temperature sensor and can move independently to measure temperature at different positions, serving as a mediator between the measurement requirement and the ink head stability requirement.
2Reliability
If the print carriage remains stationary to prevent ink head drying, then ink ejection reliability is maintained, but temperature measurement capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is separated from the printing function by creating an independent sub-carriage. This allows the print carriage to remain stationary and maintain ink ejection reliability, while the sub-carriage independently performs temperature measurements across different positions to maintain measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-carriage serves as an intermediary that enables temperature measurement without requiring the print carriage to move. It carries the temperature sensor and can be positioned at various locations to measure temperature, thus maintaining both ink ejection reliability and temperature measurement precision.
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 solution enables accurate temperature measurement and adjustment without risking ink head drying, ensuring reliable ink ejection and improved print quality.
Implementation Method 1
the sub-carriage is movable relative to the print carriage to measure a temperature on or above the mount surface using the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
a dryer to dry an ink ejected from the ink head onto the medium
Implementation Method 3
the dryer is adjustable such that the temperature to be measured approaches a predetermined temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a print carriage including an ink head, a sub-carriage movable relative to the print carriage, a mount surface where a medium is to be mounted, a dryer to dry an ink ejected from the ink head onto the medium. The sub-carriage includes a temperature sensor and is movable relative to the print carriage to measure a temperature on or above the mount surface using the temperature sensor. The dryer is adjusted such that the temperature to be measured approaches a predetermined temperature.