Ink Distribution Support Reference Features for Printhead Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing cartridges for inkjet printers face challenges in accurately determining the position of ink ejection nozzles due to misalignment and movement of the printhead ICs relative to the cartridge body, which can degrade print quality, especially in systems requiring low nozzle alignment tolerances like color inkjet printers for digital photo printing.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves providing reference features directly on the printhead assembly's ink distribution support, which mounts the printhead ICs, allowing for precise determination of nozzle location upon mounting, eliminating the effects of misalignment and movement, and ensuring a full printing range across a 100 mm page width for 4 inch by 6 inch digital photo printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference features are provided on the cartridge body, then the assembly structure is simpler, but the nozzle position determination becomes inaccurate due to misalignment and movement of the printhead ICs
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into separate functional components: the cartridge body and the printhead assembly. The printhead assembly is further segmented into the printhead ICs and the ink distribution support. This segmentation allows the reference features to be isolated on the ink distribution support rather than being distributed throughout the entire cartridge structure, thereby improving measurement precision while managing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink distribution support acts as an intermediary component between the printhead ICs and the cartridge body. By providing reference features on this intermediary component, the system establishes a stable reference frame that is coupled to the printhead assembly rather than the cartridge body, eliminating the misalignment and movement issues while maintaining a relatively simple overall assembly structure.
2Reliability
If the printhead ICs are mounted on the cartridge body, then the assembly is simpler, but misalignment and movement occur reducing print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The ink distribution support serves as a mediator component that mounts the printhead ICs separately from the cartridge body. This intermediary structure provides a stable platform for the printhead ICs, preventing misalignment and movement relative to the cartridge body, thereby improving reliability while maintaining assembly simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The printhead assembly is segmented into distinct components (printhead ICs and ink distribution support) that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation allows for improved alignment stability by isolating the printhead ICs on their own support structure, while the modular nature keeps the overall assembly complexity manageable.
3Manufacturing precision
If reference features are provided on the ink distribution support, then nozzle location can be determined accurately, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By providing reference features on the ink distribution support (an intermediary component), the system achieves accurate nozzle location determination. The reference features are integrated into this existing structural component, allowing precise measurements without requiring additional separate reference elements, thus managing the increase in assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink distribution support performs multiple functions: it distributes ink from the supply to the nozzles, mounts the printhead ICs, and provides reference features for positioning. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve manufacturing precision without adding separate dedicated reference structures, thereby limiting the increase in assembly complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing cartridge for an inkjet printer is provided having an ink supply and a printhead assembly which has at least one printhead integrated circuit having ink ejection nozzles and an ink distribution support mounting the printhead integrated circuit(s). The ink distribution support distributes ink from the ink supply to the nozzles. The printing cartridge is mounted to the printer at the ink distribution support which is provided with at least one reference feature. The reference feature(s) serves to provide information on the location of the nozzles upon mounting of the printing cartridge to the printer. The ink distribution support is a molding formed from liquid crystal polymer. The liquid crystal polymer of the ink distribution support having thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of a silicon wafer of which the printhead integrated circuit is formed.