Active Printhead Mounting Assembly for Dynamic Nozzle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid deposition systems, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in precisely positioning nozzles relative to substrates and neighboring printheads, which affects printing accuracy and requires complex alignment procedures, especially under varying operating conditions like thermal changes.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly for printheads that includes active and passive mounts with drive mechanisms, allowing for dynamic adjustment of nozzle positions in multiple directions, enabling precise alignment and realignment without interrupting the printing process, with a precision of approximately ½ micron.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed mounting system is used for printheads, then the device structure is simple, but the nozzle positioning precision deteriorates under thermal changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed mounting structures with adjustable mounts that can dynamically change position. The mounting assembly includes movable components with drive mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of printhead positions, enabling the system to adapt to thermal changes and maintain precision without being statically fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the mounting system to modify physical parameters such as position and orientation of printheads. The adjustable mounts can change their spatial coordinates in response to thermal expansion or contraction, thereby maintaining optimal nozzle-to-substrate positioning despite environmental parameter variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment adjustments are made during printing, then the printing accuracy is maintained, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the mounting system to automatically perform alignment adjustments without requiring external intervention. The drive mechanisms are integrated into the mounting assembly, allowing the system to self-correct positioning errors due to thermal changes during continuous printing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating sensors that continuously monitor the relative positions of nozzles and substrates. This feedback information is used by the control system to actuate the drive mechanisms, making real-time corrections to maintain alignment accuracy throughout the printing process.
3Productivity
If multiple printheads are used for high productivity, then the output increases, but the alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized mounting assembly that can accommodate multiple printheads with consistent adjustment capabilities. Each printhead is mounted on an identical adjustable mount with drive mechanisms, allowing uniform positioning and alignment across all printheads in the array, thereby maintaining precision while supporting high productivity.
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
Enables precise and dynamic alignment of nozzles relative to substrates and neighboring printheads, correcting misalignment in real-time due to thermal changes or other operating conditions, ensuring high accuracy and continuous printing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric actuator can have a layer of piezoelectric material that changes geometry or flexs, in response to an applied voltage. Flexing of the piezoelectric layer pressurizes ink in a pumping chamber located along the ink path.
Implementation Method 2
The active first direction mount includes a top component, a bottom component and two side components substantially forming a parallelogram configuration. The bottom component is fixed from movement and the top component is configured to move in the first direction while remaining substantially parallel to the bottom component.
Implementation Method 3
The mounting connector moves in the first direction in response to movement in the first direction of the two side and top components of the active first direction mount, thereby providing movement in the first direction to the printhead assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
In the field of an ink jet printer with multiple printheads, it can be necessary to precisely position nozzles relative to a substrate, where the nozzles are included in the printheads. It can be difficult to achieve a precision printing, unless the nozzles are precisely aligned relative to one another, if multiple printheads are used to print contemporaneously. A mounting assembly for a printhead assembly includes one or more active direction mounts, which can control the position of the printhead in one or more directions. It can allow dynamic nozzle and drop placement adjustment in one or more directions.