Staggered Recording Heads with Movable Maintenance Unit

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image forming apparatuses with maintenance assemblies for multiple recording heads increase in size due to the need for multiple components and space in the main scanning direction, which hampers productivity and print width.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a carriage with two recording heads and a maintenance assembly with a frame member and reciprocally movable second maintenance device that opposes both recording heads in the sub-scanning direction, allowing for staggered displacement and reduced apparatus width by using a guide portion and contact portions for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple maintenance units are arranged to service multiple recording heads displaced in the sub-scanning direction, then the maintenance capability is improved, but the apparatus width in the main scanning direction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoidapparatus width

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance assembly is designed to be movable in the sub-scanning direction, allowing a single maintenance unit to dynamically service multiple recording heads at different positions. The maintenance assembly can move between a retracted position and a maintenance position where it opposes the recording heads, eliminating the need for multiple fixed maintenance units and thereby reducing the apparatus width in the main scanning direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance assembly is designed with universal functionality to service multiple recording heads displaced in the sub-scanning direction. By incorporating a movable maintenance unit that can oppose multiple recording heads at different positions, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate maintenance units for each recording head, thus reducing the overall apparatus width.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple maintenance units are arranged for multiple recording heads, then the maintenance coverage is improved, but the number of components and space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance coverageVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance assembly is designed to be movable in the sub-scanning direction, allowing a single maintenance unit to dynamically service multiple recording heads at different positions. The maintenance assembly can move between a retracted position and a maintenance position where it opposes the recording heads, eliminating the need for multiple fixed maintenance units and thereby reducing the apparatus width in the main scanning direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple maintenance functions are merged into a single movable maintenance assembly. Instead of having separate maintenance units for each recording head, the invention combines all maintenance capabilities into one assembly that can service multiple recording heads by moving to the appropriate position, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8714699B2Image forming apparatus having carriage mounting recording head for ejecting liquid droplets

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image apparatus includes a carriage, a first recording head, a second recording head, and a maintenance assembly. The carriage is movable in a main scanning direction. The second recording head is displaced from the first recording head on the carriage in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The maintenance assembly includes a frame member, a first maintenance device, and a second maintenance device. The frame member has a guide portion, a first contact portion, and a second contact portion. The second maintenance device is reciprocally movable along the guide portion in the sub scanning direction between a first position to oppose the first recording head and a second position to oppose the second recording head. The second maintenance device stops at the first position in contact with the first contact portion and at the second position in contact with the second contact portion.