Recording Apparatus Carriage Gap Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in adjusting the gap between the recording head and the recording material effectively, particularly when switching between thick materials like envelopes and specialty papers like glossy paper, leading to potential image quality degradation and increased costs due to complex component requirements.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a carriage and guiding member that utilizes a sliding member and switch mechanism to adjust the gap between the recording head and the recording material, allowing for multiple adjustable positions without the need for additional sensors or complex torque systems, enabling high-quality image recording at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding member is used to adjust the gap between the recording head and recording material, then the gap can be adjusted for different materials, but the carriage becomes tilted with respect to the recording material causing the gap to vary depending on different nozzle positions which degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the carriage height adjustable by providing a height adjustment mechanism that allows the carriage to be positioned at different heights relative to the recording material. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the gap to be optimized for different material types while maintaining carriage parallelism to the recording material surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and manufacturing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sliding member is provided separately from the carriage to adjust the gap, then the gap can be adjusted, but this configuration includes a component tolerance equivalent to a single component which unfavorably affects precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the height adjustment function directly into the carriage structure by providing a height adjustment mechanism within the carriage itself. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate sliding member and reduces the number of component interfaces, thereby minimizing cumulative tolerances and improving gap positioning precision while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cams, springs, and a driving source are used to adjust the guide shaft height, then the gap can be adjusted, but a sufficient torque is necessary which requires highly functional components increasing the cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex cam-spring-driving source mechanism from the system. Instead, it employs a simplified height adjustment mechanism that achieves the same gap adjustment function without requiring high-torque components, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the carriage is rotated about a guide shaft to adjust the gap, then the gap can be widened for thick materials or narrowed for specialty paper, but the carriage is tilted with respect to the recording material causing gap variation across nozzle positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic height adjustment mechanism that moves the entire carriage vertically in a parallel manner relative to the recording material surface. This dynamic adjustment maintains constant carriage parallelism across all nozzle positions while achieving the required gap variations for different material types, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a carriage configured to carry a recording head and to move in a main scanning direction, and a guide plate rail configured to guide the carriage when it moves. The carriage is provided with a sliding member movable relative to the carriage in a height direction of the carriage. The carriage and the sliding member have a switch member provided therebetween. The switch member moves in the main scanning direction relative to the carriage and the sliding member to cause the carriage and the sliding member to be relatively displaced in the height direction of the carriage.