Discharge Unit Head Mount Torsion Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in adjusting gap variations between heads and liquid application targets due to torsional deformation of the mounting surface, which limits processing accuracy and consistency in liquid application.

Innovation Solution

The discharge unit incorporates a head mount with multiple rotation mechanisms and eccentric cams, allowing for independent rotation of the head mount's ends to reduce torsion and adjust gaps effectively, enabling precise alignment and operation from either end of the head mount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If only the inclination angle of the mounting surface is adjustable, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to adjust gap variation between the head and liquid application target due to torsional deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap adjustment precisionVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head mount is divided into multiple independent sections along its longitudinal direction, each with its own rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each section's inclination angle, enabling compensation for torsional deformation while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure transitions from a fixed inclination angle to a dynamically adjustable configuration. Each section of the head mount can be independently rotated to change its inclination angle, allowing the system to adapt to torsional deformation and achieve precise gap adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple rotation mechanisms are added to independently rotate ends of the head mount, then torsion is reduced and gap adjustment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsion control precisionVSAvoidrotation mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head mount is divided into multiple independent sections along its longitudinal direction, each with its own rotation mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each section's inclination angle, enabling compensation for torsional deformation while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the head mount are equipped with independent rotation mechanisms that can be adjusted locally. This allows each section to have its own optimal inclination angle, compensating for local torsional deformation without affecting other sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the operation part is extended to pass through both side plates, then operation from either end is enabled, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation accessibilityVSAvoidoperation part structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation part is designed as a universal component that can be accessed and operated from either end of the head mount. This multi-functional design allows a single operation part to control rotation mechanisms at different locations, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This configuration reduces torsion and improves the ability to adjust gaps between heads and the liquid application target, enhancing processing accuracy and consistency in liquid application, thereby improving the overall performance of the liquid discharge apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

the head mount includes eccentric cams and each of the side plates includes an elongated hole, wherein each of the eccentric cams engages with a respective one of the elongated holes so as to rotate each respective end of the head mount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP4000935B1Discharge unit and liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4000935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4000935B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP4000935B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A discharge unit (33) includes a head (100) configured to discharge a liquid, a head mount (302) to which the head (100) is detachably attached, and a holder (400) holding the head mount (302). The head mount (302) includes multiple rotation mechanisms (307) on respective multiple portions of the head mount (302) in a longitudinal direction of the head mount (302), and the holder (400) rotatably and independently holds the multiple portions of the head mount (302) with the respective rotation mechanisms (307).