Inclined Liquid Ejecting Head for Uniform Ink Discharge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, the arrangement of nozzle rows at different vertical positions leads to significant differences in ink thickening resistance, causing uneven ink discharge and potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with a support mechanism that inclines the ejection surface, positioning nozzle rows in a specific vertical order to minimize the difference in thickening resistance between inks, using a cap with a moisturizing liquid to maintain the nozzles, and varying the effective water content of different inks to achieve balanced thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzle rows are arranged at different vertical positions, then the liquid ejecting head can eject multiple types of ink simultaneously, but the difference in thickening between nozzle rows becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning nozzle rows at different vertical heights according to the specific requirements of each ink type. Nozzle rows ejecting ink with lower thickening resistance are positioned higher, while those ejecting ink with higher thickening resistance are positioned lower. This localized spatial arrangement ensures that each nozzle row operates under optimal gravity conditions for its specific ink, thereby maintaining uniform discharge characteristics across all nozzle rows while preserving the ability to eject multiple ink types simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If nozzle rows are positioned at different vertical positions, then the ejection surface can be inclined to reduce thickening differences, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by intentionally creating an inclined ejection surface rather than using a horizontal one. The ejection surface is tilted at a specific angle to optimize the gravitational effect on ink flow from different nozzle rows. This asymmetric configuration allows nozzle rows at different vertical positions to experience adjusted gravity components, thereby reducing thickening differences. The asymmetry is achieved through a relatively simple support mechanism that holds the ejection surface at the required inclination, avoiding the need for complex active adjustment systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ejection surface is inclined, then the difference in thickening between nozzle rows is reduced, but the stability of ink discharge may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and optimizing the inclination angle of the ejection surface. By adjusting this geometric parameter, the gravitational force components acting on the ink in different nozzle rows are modified. The specific inclination angle is determined to balance two competing effects: reducing thickening differences through optimized gravity components while maintaining sufficient discharge stability. Additionally, the vertical positioning parameters of different nozzle rows are adjusted in conjunction with the inclination angle to achieve optimal performance across all ink types.
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 thickening between nozzle rows, ensuring consistent ink discharge and improved image quality by maintaining the nozzles in an optimal state, thereby minimizing waste and enhancing printing stability.
Implementation Method 1
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
Implementation Method 2
using a cap with a moisturizing liquid to maintain the nozzles
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 configure to eject a first ink and a second nozzle row configure 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, one or both of the first ink and the second ink contain a moisturizer, and a thickening resistance of the first ink is higher than a thickening resistance of the second ink.