Rolled Sheet Printer Vertical Component Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Serial-type printers using rolled sheets face challenges in downsizing due to the need for larger lateral space for the carriage movement, which results in dead space and difficulties in incorporating mechanisms to prevent ink mist from soiling the linear scale, especially when space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The printer design utilizes the dead space on either side of the rolled sheet chamber to house the control board and ink supplying member vertically, and incorporates an air flow regulating plate to block ink mist from reaching the linear scale, allowing for a compact design without additional space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carriage moving space is increased to accommodate the printing head movement, then the printing functionality is improved, but the printer size increases and downsizing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the ink supplying member from the traditional lateral arrangement to a vertical arrangement above the rolled sheet chamber. This dimensional change allows the ink supply mechanism to be located in the vertical space rather than consuming lateral space, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining printing functionality and reducing printer lateral dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If mechanisms to prevent ink mist from soiling the linear scale are added, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air stream generating mechanism that creates a protective air flow between the ink jet head and the linear scale. This intermediary air stream acts as a barrier to prevent ink mist from reaching and soiling the linear scale, thereby maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex protective enclosures or additional cleaning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the linear scale from the direct path of the ink jet head by positioning it above the carriage moving path, outside the ink mist generation zone. This separation removes the linear scale from the harmful environment, preventing soil contamination without requiring additional protective structures.
3Volume of moving object
If the printer is downsized by reducing lateral space, then the compactness is improved, but the carriage cannot move sufficiently for printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension above the rolled sheet chamber to house the ink supplying member and control board. This vertical arrangement frees up lateral space, allowing the carriage to achieve its full moving range within a more compact overall printer footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between downsizing and maintaining carriage mobility.
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
This configuration reduces the printer's height, minimizes ink mist generation, and prevents the linear scale from being soiled, effectively addressing the challenge of downsizing while maintaining printing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
when the carriage which carries the ink jet head reciprocally moves, a negative pressure is created in the gap, and a part of the ink drop is blown off to generate the ink mist
Implementation Method 2
The generated ink mist flies on an air stream which is created with the movement of the carriage and is scattered around
Data Source
AI summary
In a printer, a first section is sized to accommodate a rolled sheet therein. A printing head is horizontally movable along a moving path extending in a first direction and operable to perform printing on a part of the rolled sheet which is drawn out from the first section. A second section is provided on a first side of the first section relative to the first direction. A third section is provided on a second side of the first section relative to the first direction opposite to the first side. A control board on which a circuit operable to control an operation of the printer is mounted is disposed in the first section so as to extend vertically. An ink supplying member is disposed in the third section that supplies ink to the printing head. The moving path is longer than a dimension of the first section in the first direction.