Integrated Inkjet Head Layout for Compact Textile Media Processing

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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 compact device size and ensuring high-quality image formation.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet recording device with an integrated carriage system that mounts ink, preprocessing, and postprocessing heads, allowing for simultaneous ejection of ink and processing solutions onto the recording medium during reciprocating movements, optimizing head arrangements to reduce device width and enhance printing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple processing heads are mounted on the carriage to apply preprocessing and postprocessing solutions, then the functionality and image quality are improved, but the device complexity and carriage width increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing functionalityVSAvoidcarriage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ink head, preprocessing head, and postprocessing head into a single integrated carriage assembly that moves together. This merging of multiple functional components into one unified structure enables the device to apply ink and processing solutions in sequence without requiring separate carriage movements, thereby improving processing functionality while controlling device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carriage is designed as a multi-functional platform that simultaneously supports ink ejection, preprocessing solution ejection, and postprocessing solution ejection. This universal carriage structure performs multiple functions that would traditionally require separate mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while enhancing versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If the carriage width is reduced to make the device compact, then the device size is improved, but the space for mounting multiple heads is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice widthVSAvoidhead mounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the ink head, preprocessing head, and postprocessing head in a longitudinal sequence along the carriage path rather than spreading them out laterally. This dimensional arrangement allows the heads to be mounted in sequence along the movement direction, enabling compact device width while providing sufficient mounting space for all required heads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If preprocessing and postprocessing solutions are applied sequentially during carriage movement, then the printing process is simplified, but the time required for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting processVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous carriage movement throughout the entire printing process, with the ink head, preprocessing head, and postprocessing head operating in sequential continuity without interruption. The carriage moves continuously from the starting position through ink ejection, preprocessing solution application, and postprocessing solution application in a single uninterrupted motion, eliminating idle time and simplifying the printing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The preprocessing head is positioned to apply the preprocessing solution at a predetermined location before the ink head deposits ink. This preliminary application of processing solution prepares the substrate in advance, ensuring optimal conditions for subsequent ink ejection while maintaining continuous carriage movement and minimizing total processing time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4230417B1Inkjet recording device and inkjet recording method
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4230417B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4230417B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4230417B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An inkjet recording device includes a conveyance unit, a carriage, a plurality of ink head lines, a preprocessing head, and a postprocessing head. The preprocessing head ejects a preprocessing solution. The postprocessing head ejects a postprocessing solution. In a case where a head arranged closest to one end in a 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, a distance from the one-end side head to the preprocessing head in the main scanning direction is defined as B1, and a distance from the one-end side head to the postprocessing head in the main scanning direction is defined as B2, a relationship of 112 ≤ (B1 + B2)/LC ≤ 312 is satisfied.