Printer Vacuum Platen Segmentation for Mass Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large flat bed printers face challenges in maintaining a constant vacuum over a large area, leading to heavy and noisy equipment, increased energy consumption, and vibrations that degrade print quality due to the use of long, heavy vacuum tubing.
Innovation Solution
A printer assembly with a movable aperture in the vacuum communication path, utilizing a hollow profile and carriage to deliver vacuum through short flexible tubes, allowing the aperture to move with the platen, reducing the need for long tubing and minimizing mass and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long large diameter vacuum tubing is used to supply vacuum to the flat bed, then the vacuum can be delivered to hold the substrate in position, but the tubing becomes heavy and significantly increases the flat bed mass
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum delivery system is segmented into multiple smaller diameter tubes instead of one large diameter tube. The patent uses multiple small bore tubes (e.g., four 19mm tubes) to replace a single large bore tube, distributing the vacuum flow across multiple channels. This segmentation reduces the mass of the tubing while maintaining effective vacuum delivery to the platen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point vacuum connection to a distributed multi-point vacuum delivery system. By arranging multiple tube outlets across the platen surface, the vacuum is delivered across multiple dimensions/locations simultaneously, improving coverage and reducing the required tube length and diameter for each individual connection.
2Reliability
If long vacuum tubing is used to supply vacuum to the moving flat bed, then the vacuum can be maintained, but the tubing causes friction due to continuous movement requiring a powerful drive
Solution Approach 1:
The single long vacuum tube is segmented into multiple shorter tubes that can be independently managed. This segmentation reduces the total length of tubing that must move with the platen, thereby reducing friction and the energy required by the drive system to move the flat bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces flexible vacuum hoses as intermediaries between the stationary vacuum pump and the moving platen. These flexible connections allow the platen to move freely while maintaining vacuum supply, reducing the friction and mechanical constraints that would otherwise require a more powerful (and energy-consuming) drive system.
3Reliability
If long vacuum tubing is used to supply vacuum to the flat bed, then the vacuum can be delivered, but the tubing produces undesirable vibrations which can degrade the print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The long single tube is divided into multiple shorter tubes, each contributing less to vibration. The distributed arrangement of multiple short tubes reduces the vibrational impact compared to one long tube, thereby improving print quality while maintaining vacuum delivery reliability.
4Quantity of substance
If large diameter tubing is used to deliver vacuum at the required flow rate, then the vacuum flow requirement is met, but the tubing is heavy and causes maintenance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by using multiple small bore tubes instead of a single large bore tube to deliver the required vacuum flow rate. The combined cross-sectional area of multiple small tubes equals or exceeds that of a single large tube, maintaining flow capacity while significantly reducing the mass and improving the reliability of the tubing system.
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
The solution results in a lighter printer assembly with reduced energy consumption, quieter operation, and improved print quality by eliminating the need for heavy tubing and minimizing vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source in fluid communication with the platen to provide a vacuum communication path to draw air through the platen such that a sheet of media arranged on the platen is biased towards it
Data Source
AI summary
A printer assembly (10) adapted for use with a print head comprising a platen (14) operable to move in a first plane; and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the platen (14) to provide a vacuum communication path to draw air through the platen (14) such that a sheet of media arranged on the platen (14) is biased towards it, characterised by a movable aperture (52) in the vacuum communication path between the vacuum source and the platen (14), the movable aperture (52) being arranged to move with the platen (14).