X-Shaped Link Table Mechanism to Suppress Tilt in Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing up-down moving mechanisms in printing apparatuses can cause the table to tilt, leading to an inconsistent distance between the recording medium and the ink ejection head, resulting in printing failures.
Innovation Solution
A table device with an X-shaped link member mechanism that includes a coupling member and a regulating member to synchronize the movement of the link members, preventing tilt by ensuring the link members expand and contract uniformly, using a rod-shaped regulating member inserted into a through hole and supported by a support member to maintain horizontal alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an X-shaped link member mechanism is used for up-down movement, then the table can be moved vertically, but the table may tilt due to uneven expansion/contraction of link members
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling member is introduced as an intermediary element that connects opposing long members of the X-shaped link mechanism. This coupling member ensures synchronized movement of the link members during expansion and contraction, preventing differential movement that would cause table tilt. The coupling member acts as a mediator that transfers motion uniformly between the link members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a regulating member that controls the movement parameters of the coupling member. By regulating the fluctuation of the coupling member during expansion/contraction, the system maintains consistent geometric parameters of the X-shaped link mechanism, ensuring uniform expansion and contraction that prevents table tilt while preserving vertical movement capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the table moves with expansion/contraction of the link mechanism, then the distance between recording medium and ink ejection head can be adjusted, but printing failure occurs due to table tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member serves as a mediator that ensures the table moves uniformly during distance adjustment. By connecting opposing long members and regulating their synchronized movement, the coupling member prevents tilt that would otherwise cause printing failure, thereby maintaining reliability during adaptability operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member controls the movement parameters of the coupling member to maintain precise geometric relationships during table position adjustment. This parameter regulation ensures that the table remains horizontal while achieving the required distance adjustment, preventing printing failures and maintaining high reliability.
3Device complexity
If link members are allowed to move freely during expansion/contraction, then the mechanism is simple, but the table tilts due to uneven movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is a relatively simple intermediary component that connects opposing long members. It adds minimal complexity to the mechanism while effectively ensuring synchronized movement and preventing table tilt. The coupling member's simple structure makes it an efficient solution that balances complexity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulating member introduces controlled parameter regulation with minimal added complexity. By simply regulating the fluctuation of the coupling member, the system achieves stable table alignment without requiring complex control systems or additional sophisticated components, maintaining overall mechanism simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A table device and a printing apparatus are provided. The table device includes a X-shaped link member in which two long members are turnably coupled in an X-shape, an expansion/contraction mechanism that expands/contracts with at least a pair of X-shaped link members arranged facing each other, a table that is disposed on one end side of the expansion/contraction mechanism and moves in the expansion/contraction direction of the expansion/contraction mechanism, a support member disposed on the other end side of the expansion/contraction mechanism, a coupling member that couples the opposing long members of the long members forming the expansion/contraction mechanism and moves with the expansion/contraction of the expansion/contraction mechanism, and a regulating member that regulates a fluctuation of the coupling member that moves when the expansion/contraction mechanism expands/contracts.