Head Unit Position Adjuster for Liquid Discharge Nozzle Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-array head units face challenges in positional adjustment of short heads, leading to inefficient nozzle overlap and increased gap widths, which affects the compactness and performance of the head unit.
Innovation Solution
The head unit incorporates a position adjuster with V-shaped cutouts at both ends of each head and intermediate members, allowing the eccentric cam and pin to be disposed between adjacent heads, enabling precise tilt and position adjustment while narrowing the gap between heads, thereby increasing nozzle overlap and reducing the overall size of the unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If multiple short heads are arrayed to form a long head unit, then the head unit can achieve longer printing coverage, but the gap width between adjacent heads increases and nozzle overlap decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The head unit is divided into multiple independent short heads (first head, second head, third head) that can be individually positioned and adjusted. Each head is mounted on separate intermediate members with independent position adjusters, allowing precise control of each segment's position to achieve proper nozzle overlap while maintaining overall long printing coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The head unit incorporates adjustable and movable components including position adjusters with eccentric cams, tilt adjusters, and movable intermediate members that can be repositioned along the head mount. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise positioning of each head to optimize nozzle overlap and gap width, resolving the contradiction between long coverage and positioning accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If position adjusters are added to each head for precise positioning, then head positioning accuracy improves, but the device complexity and overall size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjuster and tilt adjuster functions are merged into a single integrated assembly. The position adjuster with its eccentric cam mechanism simultaneously controls both the lateral position and tilt angle of each head, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining precise positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate members serve multiple functions: they support the heads, provide positioning adjustment through eccentric cams, enable tilt adjustment, and allow movement along the head mount. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the gap width between adjacent heads is reduced to increase nozzle overlap, then printing performance improves, but it becomes difficult to accommodate position adjusters between heads
Solution Approach 1:
The position adjusters are positioned in the width direction (lateral dimension) between adjacent heads rather than requiring space in the length direction (printing direction). The intermediate members can move along the head mount in the length direction while the position adjustment occurs in the width direction, effectively utilizing three-dimensional space to achieve both narrow gaps and adjustable positioning.
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 allows for a more compact head unit design with increased nozzle overlap, improving performance and reducing the need for additional position adjusters, resulting in a more efficient and compact liquid discharge apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a position adjuster to adjust a position of each of the plurality of heads, each of the plurality of heads includes cutouts at both ends of each of the plurality of heads in a head alignment direction
Data Source
AI summary
A head unit includes a plurality of heads; and a head mount on which the plurality of heads is arrayed. The head mount includes a position adjuster to adjust a position of each of the plurality of heads, each of the plurality of heads includes cutouts at both ends of each of the plurality of heads in a head alignment direction, the cutouts of adjacent heads are opposed each other, and the position adjuster is disposed between the opposed cutouts of the adjacent heads.