Liquid Ejecting Head Reference Projection for Stable Tilt Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting heads face issues with deviation in the position of the center of rotation during inclination adjustment due to improper contact of supporting parts with the head holder, leading to difficulties in precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

The liquid ejecting head incorporates a reference projection or recessed part that passes through equidistant points in the circumferential direction, allowing rotation around a fixed axis to avoid center of rotation deviation, and a fitting part with a moving mechanism for precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If two supporting parts are used to adjust head inclination, then the head posture can be adjusted, but the position of the center of rotation deviates when supporting parts are not in contact with appropriate locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehead inclination adjustmentVSAvoidcenter of rotation position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A reference projection is introduced as an intermediary element between the head holder and the supporting parts. The reference projection includes a reference cylindrical surface with a predetermined radius, centered on the rotary axis line. The first and second supporting parts contact this reference cylindrical surface, ensuring that the head rotates precisely around the rotary axis line regardless of minor positioning variations, thus eliminating center of rotation deviation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the center of rotation position is maintained precisely, then accurate positioning is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter of rotation positionVSAvoidhead holder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference projection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it defines the center of rotation, provides a contact surface for supporting parts, and ensures precise positioning. By integrating these functions into a single structural element rather than adding separate components, the solution maintains manufacturing precision without significantly increasing device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4670977A1Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus and head supporting apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 BROTHER KOGYO KK
  • EP4670977A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4670977A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4670977A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a liquid ejecting head capable of avoiding any deviation in the position of a center of rotation relating to adjustment of inclination of the head. The liquid ejecting head includes a supply member 10 which supplies an ink to a nozzle forming member 30 via an alignment plate 20. A plurality of nozzles 31 including a reference nozzle 31Q are formed in a nozzle surface 30B of the nozzle formation member 30. A reference projection 15 projected upward is formed in the upper surface of the supply member 10. The outer surface of the reference projection 15 passes through at least three reference points equidistant from an axis α passing through the reference nozzle 31Q along the vertical direction, the at least three reference points being located, respectively, at mutually different positions in a circumferential direction of which center is the axis α.