Inclined Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Gravity Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in managing the dynamic surface tension of different inks, leading to variations in ejection characteristics and potential ink mixing, especially when the ejection surface is inclined, as the relationship between dynamic surface tension and the inclined ejection surface has not been adequately considered.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejecting apparatus is designed with nozzle rows for different inks positioned at specific heights based on their dynamic surface tensions, with the nozzle row for the ink with the highest dynamic surface tension positioned above and the nozzle row for the ink with the lowest dynamic surface tension positioned below, and intermediate nozzles positioned accordingly in the gravity direction, to minimize ink mixing and variations in ejection characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the ejection surface is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, then the liquid ejecting apparatus can achieve better ink droplet placement on the medium, but the dynamic surface tension differences among different inks cause variations in ejection characteristics and potential ink mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different spatial positions (heights in the gravity direction) to different nozzle rows based on their specific ink properties. Nozzle rows are arranged such that nozzles ejecting inks with higher dynamic surface tension are positioned higher in the gravity direction, while nozzles ejecting inks with lower dynamic surface tension are positioned lower. This localized spatial differentiation compensates for the inclined ejection surface effect and ensures consistent ejection characteristics across all ink types.
2Productivity
If multiple nozzle rows for different inks are positioned close together to improve printing efficiency, then productivity increases, but the risk of ink mixing increases due to the inclined ejection surface and dynamic surface tension differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the vertical position (height in the gravity direction) of different nozzle rows according to the dynamic surface tension parameters of their respective inks. This parameter-based spatial arrangement creates sufficient separation between different ink streams while maintaining high printing efficiency. The vertical positioning acts as a compensating parameter that prevents ink mixing despite the proximity of multiple nozzle rows.
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 enhances printing accuracy by reducing ink mixing and variations in ejection characteristics, improving the reliability and quality of ink droplet placement on the medium.
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 dynamic surface tension of the first ink is higher than the dynamic surface tension 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.