Printing Apparatus Head Set Cover Joint Unit Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face difficulties in easily and reliably attaching and detaching printing heads from carriages without increasing the apparatus size, especially when positioning portions are close to the rotation center of the cover, leading to potential size increments and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus design featuring a rotatable and axially supported head set cover with a joint unit that moves between connected and separated positions in cooperation with the cover's orientation, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of the printing head without increasing the apparatus size, utilizing a joint lever and spring mechanism to regulate the joint unit's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If positioning portions of the joint unit and printing head are arranged in positions relatively separated from the rotation center of the cover, then the joint unit can be vertically inserted into the printing head, but the size of the printing apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint unit is designed to dynamically change its position relative to the cover during operation. When the cover rotates from the open state to the closed state, the joint unit automatically moves from a retracted position to an extended position where it engages with the printing head. This dynamic positioning allows the system to achieve reliable insertion without requiring the joint unit to be permanently positioned far from the rotation center, thus maintaining compact apparatus size while ensuring operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The joint unit is preliminarily positioned in a retracted state when the cover is open, allowing easy access for printing head replacement. Before the cover closes, the joint unit is prepared in a position that enables vertical insertion. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the cover rotates to the closed state, the joint unit is already in the correct configuration for reliable engagement with the printing head, eliminating the need for larger permanent positioning structures
2Volume of moving object
If positioning portions of the joint unit and printing head are arranged in positions close to the rotation center of the cover, then the apparatus size is reduced, but it becomes difficult to vertically insert the joint unit into the printing head
Solution Approach 1:
The joint unit incorporates a dynamic positioning mechanism that allows it to change its radial position relative to the cover's rotation center. When the cover is in the open state, the joint unit is positioned closer to the rotation center to minimize apparatus size. As the cover rotates toward the closed state, the joint unit automatically extends outward to achieve the correct insertion position. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing close positioning during storage while ensuring proper insertion geometry during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the joint unit based on the cover's rotational state. Before the cover closes, the joint unit is preliminarily configured in a retracted position near the rotation center. During the closing rotation, the joint unit is prepared to extend to the insertion position, ensuring that vertical insertion is achieved without requiring permanent placement far from the rotation center. This preliminary action enables compact design while maintaining insertion reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a carriage, a supply tube, a head set cover that moves to a first orientation at which the printing head is fixed to the carriage and a second orientation at which the printing head is attachable to or detachable from the carriage, and a joint unit that moves to a first position connected to the printing head and a second position separated from the printing head, wherein the joint unit does not move to the first position from the second position when the head set cover moves to the first orientation from the second orientation, and moves to the second position from the first position in cooperation with movement of the head set cover when the head set cover moves to the second orientation from the first orientation.