Shock-Absorbing Color Measurement Filter for Print Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The narrow gap in variable wavelength interference filters used in printing apparatuses is prone to breakdown and erroneous operation due to oscillations and impacts from carriage movement and transportation, which cannot be precisely controlled.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shock-absorbing member between the carriage and the color measuring unit, such as elastic, viscous, or fluid materials, to absorb oscillations and impacts, and using an actuator to fix the color measuring unit at a predetermined position during measurement, thereby reducing breakdowns and improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a variable wavelength interference filter with a narrow gap is used in the color measuring unit, then color measurement precision is improved, but the filter becomes susceptible to breakdown and erroneous operation due to oscillations and impacts from carriage movement and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a shock-absorbing member between the carriage and the color measuring unit. This member is positioned in advance to prevent oscillations and impacts from reaching the variable wavelength interference filter during carriage movement and transportation, thereby protecting the narrow gap structure from breakdown while maintaining measurement precision
2Device complexity
If the color measuring unit is mounted on the carriage for integrated printing and colorimetry, then device complexity is reduced, but the filter gap cannot be precisely controlled due to propagated oscillations and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The shock-absorbing member is installed beforehand between the carriage and color measuring unit to prevent oscillations and impacts from propagating to the variable wavelength interference filter. This cushioning mechanism maintains precise gap control in the filter despite the integrated mounting arrangement, enabling both device simplification and precision maintenance
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 shock-absorbing member effectively reduces the propagation of oscillations and impacts to the variable wavelength interference filter, minimizing breakdowns and erroneous operations while enhancing the accuracy of color measurement by maintaining the filter's gap stability.
Implementation Method 1
The shock-absorbing member is configured to absorb oscillations of the carriage, and may be, for example, an elastic member such as a sponge, a spring, or a rubber
Implementation Method 2
The shock-absorbing member is configured to absorb oscillations of the carriage, and may be, for example, an elastic member such as a sponge, a spring, or a rubber, may be a viscous member such as gel
Implementation Method 3
A variable wavelength interference filter having a pair of substrates which are arranged so as to face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween and are provided respectively with reflecting films on surfaces thereof facing each other is known. The variable wavelength interference filter is configured to cause incoming light to be multiply-reflected at the two reflecting films and to be emitted as light having a specific wavelength corresponding to a distance of the gap.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes: a discharging unit configured to discharge liquid onto a medium: a color measuring unit configured to measure a color of the medium on which the liquid has been discharged; a carriage on which the discharging unit and the color measuring unit are mounted; and a relative transporting unit configured to transport the medium and the carriage with respect to each other. The color measuring unit includes a variable wavelength interference filter configured to change a gap between reflecting films on substrates that face each other with the gap therebetween and shock-absorbing members are provided between the carriage and the color measuring unit.