Print Head Actuator Positioning With Pretensioned Screw Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing arrangement for positioning an actuator device relative to a support body in inkjet printers lacks adjustable mechanisms, leading to variations in the second actual distance X2 between the ram face and the nozzle inflow opening, resulting in inconsistent ink droplet sizes due to manufacturing tolerances, which significantly affect the quality of the printed image.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a screw joint with a thread and counter-thread system that allows for the adjustable attachment of the actuator device to the support body, enabling the adjustment of the first actual distance X1 to match a predetermined target distance S2, thereby ensuring the second actual distance X2 is also set to an optimal value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a motor-driven actuator is used to adjust the angle of incidence of a solar collector, then the solar energy collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system uses the weight of the solar collector assembly itself as the counterbalance, eliminating the need for separate springs or weights. The system serves itself by utilizing its own components (collector weight) to achieve automatic balancing and positioning, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining energy collection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The motor-driven actuator serves multiple functions: it positions the collector for optimal energy collection, maintains balance during tracking movements, and can operate in both powered and unpowered modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate balancing mechanisms, simplifying the overall system
2Force
If a motor-driven actuator with gear drive is used, then the actuating force is sufficient to overcome friction, but the reliability decreases due to friction and wear in gear teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional gear drive mechanism with a direct-drive or belt-driven system that eliminates gear teeth contact. This substitution removes the friction and wear problems associated with gear meshing while maintaining sufficient actuating force through direct motor-to-load connection or alternative transmission methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the transmission by using a different drive mechanism with lower friction coefficients. The motor is selected with appropriate torque characteristics to directly overcome friction without requiring high-force gear reduction, thereby improving reliability through reduced mechanical stress and wear
3Device complexity
If a spring-loaded actuator is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the actuator can only be positioned in two discrete positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static two-position spring mechanism to a dynamic continuously-adjustable system. The actuator can be positioned at any angle within its range of motion, allowing real-time adaptation to varying solar positions and conditions, thereby achieving both simplicity and positioning flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is segmented into multiple controllable zones or intervals, allowing the actuator to stop at various predetermined positions while maintaining the simplicity of a spring-assisted mechanism. This segmentation provides adaptability without requiring full continuous control complexity
4Speed
If the actuator is positioned close to the pivot point to reduce moment of inertia, then the positioning speed is improved, but the actuating force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves the force-speed trade-off by adding a temporal dimension through controlled acceleration profiles. The actuator applies higher force initially to overcome inertia and achieve rapid positioning, then reduces force once the desired position is approached, optimizing both speed and force requirements through time-based control strategies
Solution Approach 2:
The motor selection and control parameters are optimized to match the specific moment of inertia of the reduced-radius configuration. By changing the motor torque characteristics and control algorithm parameters, the system achieves high positioning speed with manageable actuating force through precise parameter matching rather than brute-force design
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement for a print head, comprising a support body for fixing the arrangement to the print head, an actuator device having a main body attached to the support body, the actuator device additionally comprising first means for moving a push-rod, by which means the push-rod is attached to the main body and, when electrically activated, is movable relative to the main body, the main body being in engagement with an element for positioning the actuator device relative to the support body, the arrangement comprising: a screw joint which is designed such that the screw joint movably attaches the basic body to the support body, the screw joint comprising a thread and a counter-thread which is screwed into the thread, a resilient element, wherein the screw joint and the at least one resilient element are designed to co-operate for positioning of the actuator device such that the thread and the counter-thread are clamped with a pretension with respect to one another and a rotation of the element causes a movement of the main body relative to support body along a translational direction.