Printhead Capping Layout for Compact Carriage-Platen Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in space efficiency, with the head needing to travel to a capping unit after passing the platen, potentially increasing the overall size of the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus is designed with a capping unit that overlaps the platen in a plan view, allowing the carriage to reach the capping unit before passing the platen, thereby reducing the distance and size of the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the capping unit is disposed after the carriage passes the platen, then the head can be capped, but the apparatus size increases and space efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capping unit is positioned to overlap with the platen in the width direction (Y-axis) rather than being disposed sequentially after the platen in the scanning direction (X-axis). This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimension allows the carriage to access the capping unit before passing the platen, reducing the overall apparatus footprint while maintaining the head sealing function.
2Reliability
If the carriage travels to a capping unit after passing the platen, then the head can be maintained, but the scanning distance increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capping unit is positioned upstream in the scanning direction, allowing the carriage to perform the capping action before reaching the platen for printing. This preliminary action eliminates unnecessary backward travel or post-printing maintenance trips, optimizing the carriage movement path and improving printing productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a platen configured to support a medium, a head configured to eject a liquid from a nozzle to the medium supported by the platen, a carriage configured to hold the head and to be movable in a scanning direction, and a capping unit configured to cap the head to seal the nozzle, wherein a part of the carriage overlaps the platen in a plan view in a state where the capping unit caps the head.