Head Adjustment Device for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the position of head modules, leading to image defects such as streaks and unevenness, due to complex internal structures and increased costs associated with automatic adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A head adjustment device with an actuator, movement unit, and movement control unit that sets coordinates based on a reference position, allowing for automatic position adjustment of head modules by aligning the actuator and adjustment member, while reducing the load on the head module and simplifying the mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If head module automatic adjustment mechanisms are built into the head modules, then automatic position adjustment is achieved, but the internal structures of the head modules become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into two parts: a simple adjustment member built into the head module and a separate actuator built into the carriage. This segmentation allows the head module to remain simple while still achieving automatic adjustment through coordination with the carriage-mounted actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mediator mechanism where the carriage acts as an intermediary between the control system and the head module. The carriage-mounted actuator serves as the mediator that transmits adjustment forces to the head module without requiring complex internal mechanisms within the head module itself.
2Extent of automation
If head module automatic adjustment mechanisms are built into the head modules, then automatic position adjustment is achieved, but the sizes of the head modules become large
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the adjustment system into a compact adjustment member within the head module and a separate actuator in the carriage, the volume of the head module is minimized. The adjustment member is designed to be space-efficient while the bulk of the adjustment mechanism resides outside the head module.
3Extent of automation
If the same number of automatic adjustment mechanisms as the head modules are provided, then each head module can be adjusted independently, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage-mounted actuator serves as a universal adjustment mechanism that can adjust multiple head modules sequentially. Instead of providing dedicated adjustment mechanisms for each head module, the single actuator in the carriage performs the adjustment function for all head modules, reducing the total number of mechanisms required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the adjustment functions for multiple head modules into a single carriage-mounted actuator. This consolidation allows one actuator to perform the work of multiple separate actuators by sequentially positioning each head module, thereby reducing the overall number of adjustment mechanisms and associated costs.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a head adjustment device, a head device, and a printing apparatus with which it is possible to perform automatic position adjustment of a head module in a head including one or more head modules. Provided is a head adjustment device (150) which adjusts a position of a head module in a head including one or more head modules, the head adjustment device (150) including an adjustment unit that includes an actuator that is connected to an adjustment member, which is operated in a case where the position of the head module is to be adjusted, and operates the adjustment member, a movement unit (248) that moves the adjustment unit relative to the head, and a movement control unit (244) that sets coordinates to be applied to the movement unit based on a reference position of the head module and moves the adjustment unit based on coordinate values of the adjustment member.