Printing Apparatus Gap Adjusting Mechanism for Foreign Object Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face damage to the printing head and power transmission unit due to the inability of the carriage to escape upward when a foreign object is encountered, as the force maintaining the carriage's height position prevents upward movement, leading to potential damage from thrusting forces during a hit.

Innovation Solution

A gap adjusting unit with a relative displacement mechanism, such as an idling mechanism, allows the carriage to escape upward when a thrusting force is applied, even when the locking function is engaged, by enabling relative displacement between members of the power transmission unit or lifting unit, thereby preventing damage to the printing head and gap adjusting unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a locking function (e.g., worm gear) is used to maintain the carriage height position, then the carriage can be held at the gap position, but the carriage cannot escape upward when a foreign object is encountered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarriage height position stabilityVSAvoidcarriage escape capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic release mechanism that allows the locking function to be activated during normal operation to maintain carriage position, but automatically deactivated when upward thrust is detected. The detection unit monitors forces on the carriage, and when upward thrust exceeding a threshold is detected (indicating foreign object contact), the release mechanism engages to allow the carriage to escape upward, preventing damage while maintaining stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection unit continuously monitors the force state of the carriage during printing operations. When the carriage encounters a foreign object, the detection unit detects the resulting upward thrust and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit then activates the release mechanism based on this feedback, allowing the carriage to escape upward. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the locking function is maintained during normal operation but automatically released when needed to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If the carriage is constrained to maintain height position, then printing precision is improved, but damage occurs when the printing head hits a foreign object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting precisionVSAvoiddamage from foreign object impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the constraint state of the carriage based on operational conditions. During normal printing, the carriage is constrained to maintain precise height position for printing accuracy. When foreign object contact is detected through upward thrust measurement, the constraint is dynamically released to allow upward escape movement, preventing damage to the printing head while maintaining precision during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The release mechanism acts as a preventive protective measure that is activated before significant damage can occur. When the detection unit senses upward thrust from foreign object contact, the release mechanism is activated in advance to allow the carriage to escape upward, cushioning against the potential damage that would otherwise occur from the printing head impacting the foreign object with full force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a driving unit continuously maintains carriage position, then the carriage remains stable, but energy is wasted and the carriage cannot escape when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarriage position stabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the carriage's own weight and the detection of upward thrust to automatically trigger the release mechanism when needed. The detection unit monitors forces on the carriage, and when upward thrust is detected (indicating foreign object contact), the carriage's own weight and the released constraint enable automatic upward escape without requiring additional energy input from the driving unit, while maintaining stability during normal operation through the locking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240270000A1Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a conveyance belt that supports a medium, a carriage where a printing head is disposed for printing on a medium, and a gap adjusting unit that adjusts the gap between the conveyance belt and the printing head. The gap adjusting unit includes a gap adjusting motor, a power transmission unit including a rotation shaft that rotates with the driving force of the motor, a lifting unit, and a relative displacement mechanism. The lifting unit moves the carriage up and down with the rotational force of the rotation shaft transmitted by the power transmission unit. The relative displacement mechanism relatively displaces one of two members making up at least one of the power transmission unit or the lifting unit in the direction of allowing the upward displacement of the carriage with respect to the other that is in an operation stop state.