Suction Region Alteration Mechanism for Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in downsizing the mechanism for closing suction holes while maintaining effective suction of recording media, especially when dealing with varying widths of recording media.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus incorporates a suction region alteration unit with a first guide member and a second guide member, along with first and second mobile bodies, a synchronization mechanism, a first blocking structure, and first and second accommodation units. This configuration allows for the adjustment of the suction region by moving the first sheet and second sheet to cover specific suction holes, ensuring reliable suction of recording media regardless of width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flat plate-shaped blocking body is used to close suction holes, then the suction region can be altered, but a large space is required for housing the blocking body, making it difficult to downsize the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking body is divided into multiple independent blocking elements (first blocking element, second blocking element, etc.) that can be selectively positioned. Each blocking element corresponds to specific suction holes and can be independently moved to block or unblock them, allowing the suction region to be altered without requiring a large monolithic blocking structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking elements are arranged in multiple rows extending in the width direction of the recording medium, and can be positioned at different locations in the transport direction. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows compact housing of the blocking mechanism while maintaining the ability to selectively block different regions of the suction holes.
2Volume of moving object
If a flexible sheet-like blocking body is used to close suction holes, then the mechanism can be downsized, but it is difficult to move the blocking body such that it remains perpendicular to the transport direction of the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
Each blocking element is designed with specific local characteristics - the width of each blocking element corresponds to the spacing of suction holes in the width direction, and the blocking elements are arranged in specific rows. This local optimization allows each blocking element to effectively block its corresponding suction holes while maintaining perpendicular movement relative to the recording medium transport direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking elements are movable along guide members, allowing dynamic adjustment of their positions in the transport direction. This dynamic positioning capability enables precise control of which suction holes are blocked, while the guide members ensure the blocking elements move perpendicular to the recording medium transport direction.
3Productivity
If the suction region is altered to match the width of the recording medium, then suction efficiency is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The effective suction area is adjusted by changing the positional parameters of the blocking elements along the transport direction. By moving the blocking elements to different positions, the suction region can be expanded or contracted to match the width of different recording media, optimizing suction efficiency without requiring complex mechanical structures.
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 solution enables the printing apparatus to reliably suction recording media of varying widths without losing suction force, improving printing quality and allowing for a more compact design by eliminating the need for a large space to accommodate blocking structures.
Implementation Method 1
an air intake unit configured to suck air from the plurality of suction holes via a duct disposed at a surface on an opposite side from the support surface
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing head discharging ink onto a recording medium, a recording medium support unit supporting the recording medium by a support surface, an air intake unit sucking air from suction holes, and a suction region alteration unit. The suction region alteration unit includes a first guide member and a second guide member disposed side by side, a first mobile body movable along the first guide member, a second mobile body movable along the second guide member, a synchronization mechanism synchronizing the movement of the first mobile body and the movement of the second mobile body, a first blocking structure movable together with the first mobile body and the second mobile body and including a first sheet having flexibility, and a first accommodation unit accommodating at least a portion of the first sheet.