Printer Suction Duct Gap for Motor Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face reduced cooling efficiency due to suction ports being covered by recording media, limiting airflow and indirect cooling of motors, which affects the motor's heat dissipation and overall performance.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus design featuring a suction duct with a cover member that forms a gap with the motor, including an opening to enhance airflow and direct cooling, allowing outside air to flow effectively and reduce motor temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If suction ports are covered by recording medium, then the platen can effectively suction the recording medium, but the airflow through the flow path is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction forceVSAvoidairflow

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The suction duct is divided into multiple flow paths, with some dedicated to cooling the motor and others to suction the recording medium. This segmentation allows airflow and suction force to occur simultaneously without interfering with each other, resolving the contradiction between maintaining suction ports covered and ensuring adequate airflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If motor is cooled indirectly through outer case, then the motor can be cooled, but the cooling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor temperatureVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A dedicated cooling flow path acts as an intermediary channel, directing airflow directly from the suction duct to the motor. This intermediary path enables efficient heat removal from the motor without relying on indirect cooling through the outer case, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining the necessary suction force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration improves cooling efficiency by increasing airflow around the motor, maintaining negative pressure for efficient suction of the recording medium while effectively dissipating heat, thus enhancing the printer's performance and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a suction fan 14 configured to generate negative pressure in the suction duct 13

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a platen 12 having a plurality of suction ports 121 for sucking a recording medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

an opening 134 formed in the cover member 133... improves cooling efficiency by increasing airflow around the motor... effectively dissipating heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11884061B2Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a printer including: a platen having a plurality of suction ports for sucking a recording medium, a suction fan, a suction duct configured to couple the plurality of suction ports and the suction fan to each other, and a motor, wherein the suction duct includes a cover member covering a portion of the motor, a gap is formed between the cover member and the motor, and an opening is formed in the cover member.