Inclined Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, the arrangement of nozzle rows at different vertical positions leads to significant differences in ink thickening, causing uneven ink discharge and potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with a liquid ejecting head that has multiple nozzle rows for different inks, supported in an inclined posture. The nozzle rows are positioned such that the ink with higher thickening resistance is placed below the ink with lower thickening resistance, and the caps covering the ejection surfaces are inclined at different angles to manage ink thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzle rows are arranged at different vertical positions, then the liquid ejecting head can eject different inks simultaneously, but the difference in ink thickening between nozzle rows becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by arranging nozzle rows at different vertical positions according to the thickening resistance characteristics of different inks. Specifically, nozzles ejecting inks with high thickening resistance are positioned at lower vertical positions, while nozzles ejecting inks with low thickening resistance are positioned at higher vertical positions. This localized arrangement compensates for the natural thickening differences caused by gravity and position, ensuring uniform ink discharge across all nozzle rows.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle rows are arranged at different vertical positions, then multiple inks can be ejected, but ink discharge uniformity deteriorates due to thickening differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial parameter (vertical position) of nozzle rows based on the physical parameter (thickening resistance) of different inks. By correlating the vertical position parameter with the thickening resistance parameter, the system achieves consistent ink discharge across multiple ink types. This parameter-based arrangement ensures that inks with different thickening characteristics are discharged uniformly despite their different vertical positions.
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 difference in ink thickening between nozzle rows, ensuring consistent ink discharge and improving image quality by minimizing waste and maintaining optimal ink properties.
Implementation Method 1
the first nozzle row is positioned above the second nozzle row in a vertical direction... a thickening resistance of the second ink is higher than a thickening resistance of the first ink
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having an ejection surface including a first nozzle row configured to eject a first ink and a second nozzle row configured to eject a second ink; and a support configured to support the liquid ejecting head in an inclined posture in which the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, in which the first nozzle row is positioned above the second nozzle row with respect to a vertical direction in a state where the support supports the liquid ejecting head in the inclined posture, and a thickening resistance of the second ink is higher than a thickening resistance of the first ink.