Dynamic Light Source Positioning for Uniform Curing in Liquid Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variation in medium thickness causes changes in the distance between the medium and light sources in liquid ejecting apparatuses, leading to increased overlapping or distance between irradiation ranges, resulting in density variations of cured liquid, known as banding, which affects the quality of the cured photo-curing liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a liquid ejecting head, first and second light sources that move relative to the medium, and a controller that adjusts the positions and angles of the light sources based on the distance from the medium to the light sources, ensuring optimal overlap and distance between the irradiation ranges to minimize density variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the distance from the medium to the light sources is fixed, then the irradiation ranges are stable, but the density variation (banding) occurs due to medium thickness variation
Solution Approach 1:
The light source position is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The adjusting mechanism allows the light source to move along the optical axis in response to different medium thicknesses, thereby maintaining optimal irradiation conditions and preventing density variation (banding) across various medium types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the light source based on detected medium thickness. By adjusting the light source position parameter dynamically, the irradiation ranges remain properly positioned on the medium regardless of thickness variations, thus eliminating banding while adapting to different medium specifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light source position is adjusted to accommodate different medium thicknesses, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to additional adjusting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where the thickness detection unit measures the actual medium thickness and sends this information to the control unit. The control unit then automatically adjusts the light source position accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to medium variations without requiring complex manual intervention or overly sophisticated mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a more streamlined approach combining simple mechanical adjustment capabilities with electronic control. The adjusting mechanism works in conjunction with thickness detection and control units, substituting elaborate mechanical designs with a integrated system that achieves the same adaptability with reduced complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple light sources are used to cover the medium, then curing uniformity improves, but the relative positioning of irradiation ranges becomes critical and difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the positioning control of multiple light sources into a unified control mechanism. By coordinating the adjustment of all light sources together based on a single thickness measurement, the system maintains consistent relative positioning of irradiation ranges while adapting to medium thickness variations, thus preserving both uniformity and reliability.
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 the occurrence of density variations in the cured liquid by precisely defining the relative positions of the irradiation ranges, maintaining consistent quality across the medium.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source and a second light source that move relative to a medium onto which the liquid has been ejected from the liquid ejecting head in a direction intersecting an ejection direction in which the liquid is ejected, and with which the medium is irradiated with light from the first light source and the second light source
Data Source
AI summary
When a medium is located immediately under a distance sensor in printing, a controller of a printer acquires a distance from the medium to a first irradiator and a second irradiator in a direction orthogonal to a relative movement direction in which the medium moves relative to a liquid ejecting head, on the basis of a detection signal from the distance sensor. On the basis of the distance, the controller changes relative positions of irradiation ranges irradiated with light from the first irradiator and the second irradiator on the medium so as to define relative positions of the irradiation ranges such that the degree of overlapping between the irradiation ranges and the distance between the irradiation ranges do not increase significantly.