Vacuum System for Printing Apparatuses Using Resilient Couplings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems face challenges in achieving cost-competitive manufacturing while maintaining acceptable image quality, often resulting in issues like vertical banding, media jams, smears, and wrinkles due to air movement and non-smooth print platens.
Innovation Solution
A modular printing apparatus with a vacuum system that connects multiple print units via a structural member with a fluid conduit, using resiliently deformable couplings to provide negative pressure and ensure smooth platen surfaces, reducing air leaks and improving assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional printing systems use fixed print platens, then structural stability is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases and assembly flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The print platen is divided into multiple modular print units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module contains a print platen section, vacuum chamber, and integrated components, allowing cost-effective manufacturing through standardization while enabling flexible assembly configurations to match different production needs.
2Reliability
If print units are rigidly connected, then structural stability is improved, but air leaks increase and vacuum sealing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible vacuum bellows are used to connect adjacent print units and to link the print platen to the vacuum chamber. These bellows provide vacuum sealing while accommodating relative movement between modules, eliminating air leaks without requiring rigid connections or complex sealing mechanisms.
3Reliability
If multiple separate seals are used to connect print units, then vacuum sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum bellows serve dual functions: they act as both the vacuum seal and the mechanical connector between print units. This integration eliminates the need for separate seals and fasteners, reducing assembly steps and components while maintaining reliable vacuum sealing.
4Ease of manufacture
If print platens are non-smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but image quality deteriorates due to vertical banding
Solution Approach 1:
The print platen is segmented into multiple independent modules, each with its own vacuum chamber. This allows each section to be manufactured separately with standard tolerances, then precisely positioned and connected using flexible bellows, achieving overall smoothness without requiring the entire platen to be manufactured as a single precision component.
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 a cost-effective, efficient printing system with reduced defects such as vertical banding, jams, and wrinkles, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without additional seals, while maintaining high image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system to connect a number of print units to a source of a vacuum, with each print unit being connected to a fluid conduit of a structural member
Implementation Method 2
the coupling comprises a resiliently deformable end to connect to the print unit to the structural member
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum system for a printing apparatus comprises a structural member. The structural member comprises a fluid conduit to be connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum system comprises a coupling. The coupling comprises a first end and a second end defining a fluid passage therebetween. The coupling is attached to the structural member at its first end thereby connecting the fluid passage of the coupling to the fluid conduit of the structural member. The second end of the coupling comprises a resiliently deformable material. The second end is to connect to a vacuum chamber of a print unit.