Distance-Sensed Head Positioning for Stable Liquid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent liquid discharge due to variations in recording medium thickness, leading to image quality deterioration and potential head unit breakage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a conveyor system featuring conveyance guides and a distance detector, along with a lifter mechanism, adjusts the head unit position based on detected distances to maintain consistent nozzle-to-medium spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the head unit position is fixed, then the structure is simple, but image quality deteriorates and head unit breakage occurs due to recording medium thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the recording medium thickness using a distance detector before the liquid discharge operation. Based on this preliminary information, the lifter mechanism pre-adjusts the head unit position to the appropriate height, ensuring optimal nozzle-to-medium spacing before discharge begins, thereby preventing both image quality deterioration and head unit breakage
Solution Approach 2:
The distance detector continuously monitors the position of the recording medium surface relative to the head unit. This feedback information is used by the control system to dynamically adjust the lifter mechanism, maintaining the head unit at the correct height despite variations in medium thickness, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed structure simplicity and operational reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If the head unit is moved closer to the medium, then liquid discharge accuracy improves, but the risk of head unit breakage increases due to medium thickness variations
Solution Approach 1:
The head unit position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The lifter mechanism enables continuous adjustment of the head unit height based on real-time feedback from the distance detector about the recording medium surface position. This dynamic positioning allows the system to maintain optimal discharge accuracy while adapting to varying medium thickness, thereby preventing head unit breakage
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
Ensures accurate and stable liquid discharge, preventing image quality issues and head unit damage by compensating for medium thickness variations.
Implementation Method 1
a distance detector to detect a first distance and a second distance; and a lifter to move the head unit in the discharge direction according to the first distance from the distance detector to the conveyance surface of the conveyor; and the second distance from the distance detector to the nozzle surface of the head
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head having a nozzle surface having nozzles to discharge a liquid onto a medium in a discharge direction; a conveyor to convey the medium to the head along a conveyance surface in a conveyance direction, the conveyor including a pair of conveyance guides on an upstream side and a downstream side of the head in the conveyance direction; a support between the pair of conveyance guides in the conveyance direction, the support supportable a distance detector at a position facing the head in the discharge direction, and the distance detector to detect a first distance and a second distance; and a lifter to move the head in the discharge direction according to the first distance from the distance detector to the conveyance surface of the conveyor; and the second distance from the distance detector to the nozzle surface of the head.