Inkjet Head Unit Gravity Stabilization via Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional inkjet recording apparatuses, the inclination of head units leads to a shifted center of gravity, causing tilting or deflection due to gravity, resulting in fluctuation of nozzle distances and inappropriate ink landing positions, which deteriorates image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a support member that applies force to the head unit between its center of gravity and the cylindrical shaft, fixing the head unit to prevent rotation due to gravity, ensuring stable nozzle alignment with the conveyance drum's surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the head unit is arranged to be inclined to face the outer circumferential curved surface of the conveyance drum, then the nozzle openings can eject ink onto the recording medium, but the center of gravity shifts from the fixing portion, causing the head unit to tilt or deflect due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The support member applies a support force to the head unit that counteracts the gravitational moment causing tilting. This counterweight principle stabilizes the head unit by providing an opposing force to balance the shifted center of gravity, preventing the head unit from rotating due to gravity while maintaining its inclined arrangement for proper nozzle alignment.
2Reliability
If the head unit is fixed with fixing portions near both ends of the bottom surface, then the head unit can be securely attached to the attachment member, but the distance between nozzle surfaces and the outer circumferential curved surface fluctuates due to gravitational moment
Solution Approach 1:
The support member provides a support force that counteracts the gravitational moment acting on the head unit. This prevents the head unit from tilting or deflecting, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the nozzle surfaces and the outer circumferential curved surface of the conveyance drum, while the fixing portions remain securely attached to the attachment member.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary element between the head unit and the attachment member. It mediates the gravitational force by providing a support force that prevents the head unit from rotating, thus maintaining precise nozzle alignment and consistent distances without compromising the attachment reliability provided by the fixing portions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the head unit is allowed to rotate freely to accommodate gravity, then the center of gravity can be balanced, but the nozzle surfaces become misaligned with the outer circumferential curved surface, causing inappropriate ink landing positions
Solution Approach 1:
The support member applies a support force that counteracts the gravitational moment, preventing the head unit from rotating to balance its center of gravity. Instead of allowing free rotation, the support force stabilizes the head unit in its inclined position, ensuring that the nozzle surfaces remain properly aligned with the outer circumferential curved surface for accurate ink landing.
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 stabilizes the head unit, maintaining consistent nozzle-to-surface distances and improving image quality by preventing tilting and deflection, ensuring accurate ink landing and enhanced recording performance.
Implementation Method 1
the center of gravity of the head unit and the fixing portions near the nozzle surfaces of the head unit are shifted with respect to a horizontal-distance direction which is in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to the cylindrical shaft. Such a head unit having the center of gravity shifted from the fixing portion with respect to the horizontal-distance direction may tilt or deflect due to moment to rotate the head unit generated by gravity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance unit, a head unit, an attachment member, a fixing member, and a support member. The conveyance unit conveys a recording medium on an outer circumferential curved surface of a cylindrical conveyance drum rotating around a cylindrical shaft. The relative position of the attachment member to the cylindrical shaft is fixed. The head unit has a nozzle ejecting ink and is attached to the attachment member such that the outer circumferential curved surface faces an opening of the nozzle across a predetermined relative distance. The fixing member fixes a fixing portion in the head unit to the attachment member. The fixing portion is between a center of gravity of the head unit and the cylindrical shaft. The support member supports the fixed head unit by applying force which disturbs rotation of the head unit.