Retractable Impact Damping Device for Print-Head Carriage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional print-head assemblies require significant overrun space and longer carriage lengths due to safety fence designs, which increase installation space and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A print-head assembly with an impact damping device featuring a retractable impact member and mounting mechanism that absorbs impacts and optimizes space by moving from an extended to a retracted position, providing feedback to operators and reducing the need for extensive overrun space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional safety fence design is used to protect the print-head assembly, then safety is improved, but the carriage length and overrun space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impact member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between an extended position (providing safety barrier) and a retracted position (reducing carriage length). The mounting mechanism enables this dynamic adjustment, allowing the safety feature to be deployed only when needed for protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact member is received within the hollow space formed by the cover structure when in the retracted position. This nesting arrangement allows the safety component to be compactly stored within the existing carriage structure, minimizing the overall carriage length while maintaining safety functionality.
2Reliability
If a conventional safety fence design is used to protect the print-head assembly, then safety is improved, but the installation space and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic positioning of the impact member allows the safety barrier to be extended only when protection is needed, reducing the permanent space requirement for the safety system while maintaining adequate protection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
By nesting the impact member within the hollow space of the cover structure, the design eliminates the need for separate overrun space that would be required for a fixed safety fence, thereby reducing total installation space requirements.
3Reliability
If a conventional safety fence design is used to protect the print-head assembly, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impact member is integrated with the existing cover structure to form a combined assembly. The mounting mechanism utilizes the hollow space already present in the cover design, merging the safety function with the structural components rather than adding a separate complex safety system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover structure serves multiple functions: it provides the structural housing for the carriage end and simultaneously creates the hollow space for receiving the impact member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall device design.
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 reduces the required installation space and manufacturing costs while ensuring safety by absorbing impacts and providing operators with feedback to prevent carriage stoppage, thus enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The mounting mechanism is connected to the impact member to provide for movement of the contact surface over a buffer distance substantially parallel to the travel direction from a first extended position to a second retracted position for absorbing an impact during movement of the carriage in the travel direction
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
The present invention provides a print-head assembly (1) for a printing apparatus, comprising: a carriage (2) with a frame (3) configured to be supported on a gantry for movement in a travel direction (D) over a print surface (S); a print-head unit (4) having one or more print heads mounted on the carriage (2); and an impact damping device (10) mounted on an end region (6) of the carriage (2) in the travel direction (D), wherein an impact member (11) of the damping device (10) presents a contact surface (12) in the travel direction (D). The impact member (11) is mounted to the carriage frame (3) for resilient movement over a buffer distance (dB) substantially parallel to the travel direction (D) between a first extended position (A) and a second retracted position (B) for absorbing or damping an impact during movement of the carriage (2) in the travel direction (D).