Inclined Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Height Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in managing ink viscosity variations, leading to ink mixing and reduced printing accuracy due to the inclination of ejection surfaces, which has not adequately considered the effects of different ink viscosities on nozzle positioning.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head with multiple nozzle rows for different inks, positioned at varying heights based on their viscosities, where the nozzle row for the ink with the highest viscosity is positioned above the others in the gravity direction, and the nozzle row for the lowest viscosity is positioned below, with intermediate viscosities positioned between, to minimize ink mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejection surface is inclined to improve ink ejection performance, then ink ejection efficiency is improved, but ink mixing occurs due to viscosity differences causing reduced printing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning different nozzle rows at different heights according to the viscosity characteristics of the inks they eject. Specifically, nozzle rows for higher viscosity inks are positioned higher than those for lower viscosity inks, creating localized height differences that compensate for viscosity variations and prevent ink mixing while maintaining the inclined ejection surface configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of inks with different viscosities are ejected using the same nozzle structure, then device versatility is improved, but ink mixing occurs reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by creating viscosity-specific height positioning for different nozzle rows. Each nozzle row is positioned at a height corresponding to the viscosity of its ejected ink, with higher viscosity inks positioned higher. This localized differentiation ensures reliable ink separation while maintaining the ability to eject multiple ink types, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
3Speed
If the ejection surface is inclined at a large angle to improve ejection performance, then ink ejection speed is improved, but gravity-induced ink mixing increases causing reduced precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning nozzle rows at different heights according to ink viscosity. For high viscosity inks, the nozzle rows are positioned higher, which compensates for the gravitational effect on slower-moving ink droplets. This ensures that even at large inclination angles for high-speed ejection, the ink droplets maintain their integrity and placement accuracy without mixing with other 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 effectively suppresses ink mixing and improves printing accuracy by aligning nozzle positions with ink viscosity, ensuring that higher viscosity inks are less likely to drip and mix with lower viscosity inks, maintaining the integrity of distinct ink droplets.
Implementation Method 1
the first nozzle row is positioned above the second nozzle row in a gravity direction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that has 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. The liquid ejecting head is configured to be held in a first posture in which the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The viscosity of the first ink is higher than the viscosity of the second ink. In the first posture, the first nozzle row is positioned above the second nozzle row with respect to a gravity direction.