Printing Unit Head Positioning Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current printing apparatuses face challenges with precise and cost-effective adjustment of printing heads, requiring specialized personnel and leading to expensive maintenance, bulky designs, and limited flexibility in adjustment, especially in high-precision applications like UV printing.

Innovation Solution

A printing unit with a support plate and positioning members that include an actuation device and kinematic conversion system, allowing for precise adjustments in multiple directions, including translation and rotation, which can be easily accessed and operated by non-specialized personnel, reducing the need for component removal and enabling quick maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If mechanical adjustment with extremely precise working tolerances is used for support plate, then positioning precision of printing heads is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of printing headsVSAvoidcomplexity of support plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with electronic adjustment devices that use motors and control systems to position printing heads. This substitution achieves high positioning precision without requiring extremely precise mechanical working tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the required precision for UV printing applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If electronic adjustment systems are used for printing heads, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates for high-precision applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustment operationVSAvoidpositioning precision of printing heads
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electronic adjustment systems with motors and electronic control mechanisms that provide both ease of operation and high positioning precision. The electronic systems include control algorithms and feedback mechanisms that enable precise positioning of printing heads while being easily operable, thus resolving the contradiction between operational ease and positioning precision for UV printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If linear electronic adjustment systems are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adjustment versatility deteriorates due to lack of angular adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustment operationVSAvoidadjustment versatility including angular adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment systems that can perform both linear translations and angular rotations of printing heads. The system includes multiple degrees of freedom with electronic actuators that enable versatile positioning movements, allowing printing heads to be adjusted in various directions and angles while maintaining ease of operation through electronic control interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If a priori adjustment systems are implemented, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of printing headsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment system
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a priori adjustment systems that pre-position printing heads with high precision before printing operations begin. The system includes pre-calibration procedures and preliminary positioning mechanisms that establish accurate reference positions, enabling subsequent precise adjustments while managing system complexity through structured adjustment protocols and integrated control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

5Manufacturing precision

If specialized personnel are required for maintenance and adjustment operations, then positioning precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to long machine downtimes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of printing headsVSAvoidproductivity of printing apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-diagnostic and self-adjustment capabilities that enable operators to perform maintenance and positioning adjustments without requiring specialized personnel. The system includes automated monitoring, error detection, and guidance systems that allow non-specialized operators to maintain positioning precision through simplified interfaces and automated procedures, thereby reducing machine downtime and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3147128B1Printing unit for a printing apparatus and printing apparatus comprising said printing unit
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 JET SET SRL
  • EP3147128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3147128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3147128B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Printing unit comprising at least a printing head (20), a support plate (15) to which said printing head (20) is associated, and at least one positioning member (45a, 45b) associated to the support plate (15) and to the printing head (20) to adjust the reciprocal position of the latter two; the support plate (15) defines an adjustment plane (α) with respect to which the printing head (20) is positioned; the positioning member (45a, 45b) comprises at least an actuation device (50) which can be selectively actuated above the adjustment plane (α) and a kinematic conversion device (46) configured to convert the actuation of said actuation device (50) into an adjustment of the position of the printing head (20) with respect to the support plate (15) in at least one direction lying on the adjustment plane (α); the actuation device (50) is associable with a cam element (48) able to engage in a suitably shaped seating made in the printing head (20).