Road Surface Printer Supports for Stable Head Distance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses struggle to maintain precise positioning on irregular surfaces while ensuring the distance between the installation surface and the discharge head remains within a specified range, leading to potential vibration and printing inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus equipped with a discharger, conveyor, and multiple supports, including first and second supports, which allows for precise positioning through the use of adjustable supports and conveyance mechanisms to stabilize the printer on the installation surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the printing apparatus is moved to each divided printing region to perform printing on a road surface, then the printing coverage is improved, but the positioning stability and distance control between the discharge head and road surface deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting coverageVSAvoidpositioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is segmented into multiple independent supports (first support, second support, third support) distributed at different locations on the printing apparatus. Each support independently contacts the road surface, allowing the apparatus to maintain stability across large printing areas while adapting to local surface irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support system enables dynamic adaptation to road surface irregularities through the coordinated action of multiple supports. The apparatus can adjust its posture and maintain stable positioning by utilizing the combined support points, allowing reliable operation during movement between printing regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the distance between the road surface and discharge head is adjusted within a specified range, then the printing quality is improved, but the positioning speed on irregular surfaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting qualityVSAvoidpositioning speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The printing apparatus is equipped with multiple supports that are pre-positioned to contact the road surface. This preliminary configuration allows the apparatus to quickly establish stable positioning upon arrival at each printing region, eliminating the need for time-consuming adjustments when distance correction is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple supports act as intermediaries between the printing apparatus and the road surface. They provide a stable reference framework that enables quick positioning while maintaining the ability to adjust discharge head distance, thus bridging the conflict between speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the printing apparatus is quickly fixed on the road surface, then the positioning speed is improved, but the distance control between installation surface and discharge head deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning speedVSAvoiddistance control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support system divides the positioning function into multiple independent contact points. This segmentation allows rapid initial positioning through the combined support of multiple points while maintaining the flexibility to precisely control the discharge head distance from the road surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different supports serve different functions: some provide primary positioning stability while others enable distance adjustment. This local differentiation of support functions allows the system to achieve both quick fixation and precise distance control simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the quick and stable fixation of the printer's position relative to the installation surface, maintaining the distance between the surface and the discharge head within a specified range, thereby preventing vibration and ensuring accurate printing.

Implementation Method 1

The second support is attached to a lower portion of the discharger to support the discharger with the second support biased by a predetermined biasing force with respect to the installation surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiasing force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4403367B1Liquid discharge apparatus and conveyor
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4403367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4403367B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4403367B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus (1) includes a wheeled platform (20) and a discharger (10). The discharger (10) is disposed on the wheeled platform to discharge a liquid onto an installation surface on which the discharger (10) is installed. The wheeled platform (20) movably holds the discharger in a vertical direction. The discharger includes at least three or more first supports and a second support (15). The at least three or more first supports (14) are disposed at different corners of the discharger in a plan direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, to contact the installation surface to support the discharger. The second support (15) is disposed at a corner different from the corners of the at least three or more first supports (14) in the plan direction, to support the discharger. A position of the second support is adjustable in the vertical direction with respect to the installation surface.