Inkjet Head Capping Load Transfer to Preserve Nozzle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The application of a load from a cap to a liquid discharge apparatus can cause deformation and misalignment of the nozzle surface, affecting image formation accuracy and reliability in inkjet printers.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus design that includes a carriage with a contact part to receive vertical loads from a cap, and guide members with cutouts to distribute these loads to guide rails, preventing carriage deformation and maintaining nozzle alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap contacts the nozzle surface to cover the nozzle, then the nozzle can be protected from drying, but the carriage may deform due to the applied load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated load reception structure (protrusion on carriage, recess on guide rail) that acts as an intermediary to transfer the cap's load directly to the guide rail, bypassing the carriage body and preventing carriage deformation while maintaining nozzle coverage functionality
2Reliability
If the load from the cap is received by the carriage, then the nozzle can be covered, but the nozzle surface position may shift from the predetermined position
Solution Approach 1:
The load transmission path is redirected through a dedicated mechanical interface (protrusion-recess engagement) between the carriage and guide rail, allowing the cap's load to be absorbed by the guide rail structure rather than being transmitted to the carriage body, thereby maintaining nozzle surface position precision
3Device complexity
If the carriage structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device becomes easier to manufacture, but the carriage may be more susceptible to deformation under load
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is extracted from the carriage body and assigned to a dedicated protrusion-recess load transmission mechanism, allowing the carriage to maintain structural simplicity while the guide rail system handles the mechanical stress from cap engagement
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized load transmission interface (protrusion on carriage engaging recess on guide rail) serves as an intermediary structure that enables the simplified carriage to effectively transfer loads to the guide rail, maintaining strength without increasing overall structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a head including a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is opened; a carriage holding the head and configured to move in the scanning direction; a cap configured to contact the nozzle surface to cover the nozzle in a case that the carriage is located in a first position; and a contact member. The head includes a contact part configured to make contact with the contact member. In a case that a load of a vertical component of the nozzle surface is applied to the head by the cap contacting the nozzle surface, the contact member is configured to make contact with the contact part of the head to receive the load applied to the head.