Segmented Base Member Stiffness for Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses with resin base members are prone to significant deformation under external forces, leading to issues like bent or inclined roller shafts and inconsistent ink droplet placement when the apparatus is placed on uneven surfaces, affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a base member divided into three regions: a first base portion, a second base portion with reduced stiffness located downstream, and a third base portion, where the second base portion's stiffness is less than the first and third, absorbing external forces and minimizing deformation, thus maintaining component alignment and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a resin base member is used to support the conveyor unit and recording unit, then the number of components and cost are reduced, but the base member deforms greatly under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is divided into three base portions along the conveying direction. The first base portion supports the conveyor unit, the second base portion (with lower stiffness) absorbs external forces, and the third base portion supports the recording unit. This segmentation allows each portion to have optimized properties for its specific function while collectively reducing overall deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second base portion is designed with different stiffness characteristics compared to the first and third base portions. Specifically, the second base portion has lower stiffness to absorb external forces, while the first and third base portions have higher stiffness to maintain precise positioning of the conveyor and recording units. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between component reduction and deformation resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the base member is made as one resin member, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but positioning precision of components deteriorates under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The single resin base member is segmented into three functional portions along the conveying direction. Each portion is designed with specific stiffness characteristics: the first and third portions maintain high stiffness for precise component positioning, while the second portion has reduced stiffness to absorb external forces. This segmentation within a monolithic structure preserves manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base member are assigned different mechanical properties through strategic design of the second base portion with lower stiffness. This local quality differentiation allows the base member to maintain overall structural integrity and manufacturing simplicity while providing precise positioning capability where needed, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and positioning precision.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the second base portion has lower stiffness, then external force absorption is improved, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is segmented into three portions, with the second portion specifically designed to have lower stiffness for absorbing external forces. The first and third portions maintain higher stiffness to provide structural strength and support for the conveyor and recording units. This segmentation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve force absorption and strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The second base portion is designed with locally reduced stiffness to absorb external forces, while the first and third base portions maintain higher stiffness for structural strength. This local quality differentiation ensures that the overall structure achieves both force absorption capability and sufficient strength, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a base member; a conveyor unit, supported by the base member, for conveying a sheet in a conveying direction parallel to a first direction; and a recording unit, supported by the base member, for ejecting ink when the recording unit is opposed to the sheet in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The base member is divided into a first base portion that supports the conveyor unit and the recording unit, a second base portion contiguous to the first base portion and located downstream of the first base portion in the conveying direction, and a third base portion contiguous to the second base portion and located downstream of the second base portion in the conveying direction. A stiffness of the second base portion is less than that of each of the first base portion and the third base portion.