Integrated Inkjet Carriage Layout for Preprocessing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording devices face challenges in efficiently applying preprocessing and postprocessing solutions to wide and long recording media, such as fabrics, while maintaining image quality and reducing device size.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer design with an integrated carriage system that includes an ink head, preprocessing head, and postprocessing head, allowing for simultaneous application of preprocessing and postprocessing solutions during reciprocating movements, optimized to minimize device width and enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate carriages are used for inkjet printing and processing solution application, then processing quality is improved, but device width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inkjet printing head and processing solution application heads into a single integrated carriage that moves together along the main scanning direction. This allows simultaneous application of preprocessing solution, ink, and postprocessing solution to the same location on the recording medium, maintaining processing quality while reducing device width by eliminating the need for separate carriages.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated carriage serves multiple functions: it contains both the inkjet printing head for image formation and processing solution heads for applying preprocessing and postprocessing solutions. This multi-functional design allows a single carriage to perform what previously required separate specialized carriages, thereby reducing overall device width while maintaining comprehensive processing capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If processing solution heads are added to the carriage, then processing capability is improved, but carriage width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the processing solution heads and inkjet printing head in the sub-scanning direction (width direction perpendicular to movement) rather than extending the carriage in the main scanning direction. This dimensional reorganization allows multiple functional heads to be accommodated without increasing the carriage width in the movement direction, maintaining compactness while enhancing processing capability.
3Volume of stationary object
If the carriage structure is simplified, then device size is reduced, but image quality control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated carriage is designed with pre-configured positioning relationships between the inkjet printing head and processing solution heads. The relative positions of these heads along the sub-scanning direction are predetermined to ensure that preprocessing solution, ink, and postprocessing solution are applied to the correct locations on the recording medium, maintaining image quality control despite the simplified single-carriage structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet recording device includes a conveyance unit, a carriage, one or a plurality of ink head lines, and a processing head. The processing head includes a preprocessing head arranged on an upstream side of the one or plurality of ink head lines in the conveyance direction and configured to eject a non-coloring preprocessing solution. In a case where a head arranged closest to one end in the main scanning direction is defined as a one-end side head, a head arranged closest to the other end is defined as an other-end side head, a distance from the one-end side head to the other-end side head in the main scanning direction is defined as LC, and a distance from the one-end side head to the preprocessing head in the main scanning direction is defined as B 1, a relationship of |(B1 - LC/2)|/LC ≤ 1/4 is satisfied.