Printhead Carriage Mechanical Protector for Connector Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wide-format printers, printheads are prone to mechanical forces that can damage electrical connectors and dislodge them from datum surfaces, leading to instability and vulnerability to dust and liquids, which existing solutions fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A printhead carriage with a mechanical protector that includes a rotatable latch and elastic members to secure and protect the electrical connectors, using a metallic or flexible sheet to maintain contact with datum surfaces and absorb collision forces, ensuring stable positioning and protection from environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a latch is provided to exert vertical force on the printhead, then mechanical connection in the vertical direction is ensured, but the electrical connectors become vulnerable to damage from mechanical forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical connection stabilityVSAvoidelectrical connector reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical protector acts as an intermediary element between the printhead and the electrical connectors. This protector absorbs and dampens mechanical forces, preventing them from being transmitted directly to the fragile electrical connectors while maintaining the necessary mechanical connection stability through the latch mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical protector is positioned in advance to cushion and absorb mechanical forces before they can damage the electrical connectors. This preemptive protection mechanism dampens collision forces and prevents direct transmission of mechanical stress to the connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If the printhead is securely connected to datum surfaces, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the electrical connectors are exposed to dust and liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinthead positioning accuracyVSAvoidexposure to dust and liquids

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical protector functions as a protective barrier that shields the electrical connectors from harmful environmental factors such as dust and liquids. This protective element maintains the secure connection to datum surfaces while preventing contamination of the electrical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If electrical connectors protrude to maintain printhead position, then transversal positioning is ensured, but the connectors become vulnerable to mechanical damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransversal positioning stabilityVSAvoidconnector mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical protector serves as a mediator that allows the electrical connectors to maintain their protruding position for transversal stability while protecting them from mechanical damage. The protector absorbs external forces before they can impact the connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protector is positioned beforehand to cushion and absorb mechanical forces that could damage the protruding electrical connectors. This preemptive protection allows the connectors to maintain their positioning function without being directly exposed to mechanical stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 effectively secures the printhead to datum surfaces, protects electrical connectors from damage and environmental exposure, and dampens movement and collision forces, ensuring accurate and repeatable positioning and reliable operation.

Implementation Method 1

the mechanical protector further comprising an elastic member biased towards the second wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Mechanical protectors that protect electric connections and dampen unwanted movements of the printhead away from the datum surfaces within the carriage may be provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS11052666B2Printhead carriages with mechanical protectors

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In an example, a printhead carriage to be used in a printing system is disclosed herewith wherein the carriage includes a pocket defined by a first wall and a second wall opposite to the first wall; a set of electrical connectors provided on the first wall; and a mechanical protector. In an example, the mechanical protector may be a sheet with a determined length that extends from the first wall into the pocket and a width that extends along the width of the first wall over the electrical connectors. In an example, the mechanical protector includes an elastic member biased towards the second wall.