Discharge Unit Ribs for Inkjet Medium Bending and Air Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face issues with medium bending and air flow interference between the droplet discharge head and the platen, which affect landing accuracy and medium flattening.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates protruded portions along the scanning direction on the discharge unit, which press the medium towards the support portion and guide air flow away from the discharge head, reducing medium bending and air flow rate between the discharge unit and the support portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a slant-surfaced pressing portion is provided to press the recording medium toward the platen, then the bend of the recording medium is reduced, but air is guided into the gap between the droplet discharge head and the platen which adversely affects landing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing portion is divided into multiple pressing portions that are separated in the transport direction, rather than using a single continuous slant surface. Each pressing portion has a pressing surface that contacts the recording medium, and the gaps between adjacent pressing portions prevent air from being continuously guided into the gap between the droplet discharge head and platen, thus resolving the contradiction between bend reduction and landing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pressing structure have different functions: the pressing surfaces contact and press the recording medium to reduce bends, while the gaps between pressing portions allow air to escape and prevent air from being guided into the critical gap between the droplet discharge head and platen. This local differentiation of structure resolves the contradiction
2Manufacturing precision
If a through hole and guide groove are provided to discharge air from the gap, then air flow is reduced, but the structure complexity increases and only a portion of air is discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the pressing portion (guiding air into the gap) is extracted and eliminated by dividing it into separate pressing portions with gaps between them. This natural segmentation removes the need for additional through holes and guide grooves, simplifying the structure while effectively discharging air
Solution Approach 2:
The gaps between the pressing portions automatically serve the dual function of pressing the recording medium while allowing air to escape. The structure self-regulates air flow without requiring additional air discharge mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity
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 design effectively reduces medium bending and air flow interference, enhancing landing accuracy and medium flattening while minimizing the risk of discharge head damage.
Implementation Method 1
The protruded portions press a bend of the medium toward the support portion as the mobile body moves along the scanning direction
Implementation Method 2
the protruded portions reduce the flow rate of gas guided toward a gap between the discharge unit and the support portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a support portion that supports a sheet that is transported and a discharge unit that includes a carriage that is freely movable in scanning directions that intersect with a transport direction of the sheet and a liquid discharge head that is mounted on the carriage and that discharges ink to the sheet. End portions of the discharge unit in the scanning directions are provided with a plurality of ribs that are protruded along the scanning directions and that are provided so as to be juxtaposed with intervals in the transport direction. The ribs press a bend of the sheet toward the support portion as the carriage moves along the scanning directions.