Inkjet Recording Head Alignment via Positioning Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers face difficulties in accurately and easily positioning adjacent recording heads due to the staggered arrangement of nozzles, making it challenging to align them in the conveying direction.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a recording apparatus with nozzle plates that include both nozzle holes for ink ejection and positioning holes, allowing for precise alignment of adjacent recording heads by aligning the positioning holes along a straight line in the conveying direction, facilitating accurate and easy positioning of the heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nozzles are arranged in overlapping regions of inkjet heads to achieve high print resolution, then print resolution is improved, but positioning accuracy of adjacent inkjet heads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the nozzle plate into two distinct functional regions: nozzle holes for ink ejection and positioning holes for alignment. This segmentation allows the nozzle arrangement to optimize print resolution while the positioning holes provide dedicated alignment references for accurate head positioning, resolving the contradiction between high-resolution nozzle packing and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning holes act as intermediary alignment references between adjacent inkjet heads. Instead of attempting to position heads based on the complex staggered nozzle arrangements, the positioning holes serve as simple, reliable intermediaries that enable easy and accurate alignment in the conveying direction, while the nozzle holes maintain their optimized staggered arrangement for print quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nozzles are staggered in the scanning direction to achieve overlapping coverage, then ink ejection coverage is improved, but ease of positioning adjacent heads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nozzle plate into nozzle holes and positioning holes with distinct functions, the invention allows the nozzle holes to be arranged in a staggered pattern for optimal ink ejection coverage, while the positioning holes are arranged in simple alignment patterns that make positioning easy. The positioning holes provide a straightforward alignment reference that simplifies the positioning operation regardless of the complex nozzle arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of nozzle plates are used to accommodate different mounting orientations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning holes are designed with a universal arrangement pattern that works for all mounting orientations. A single nozzle plate design with this universal positioning hole pattern can accommodate multiple orientations, eliminating the need for different nozzle plate types for different mounting directions. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a first recording head. The first recording head includes a first nozzle plate. The first nozzle plate includes a first group of nozzle holes and a first positioning hole configured to position the first recording head. A second recording head is adjacent to the first recording head in a first direction. The second recording head includes a second nozzle plate. The second nozzle plate includes a second plurality of nozzle holes and a second positioning hole configured to position the second recording head. The first positioning hole and the second positioning hole are aligned in a straight line extending in the first direction.