Inkjet Head Maintenance Using Vertical Transfer Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet drawing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high accuracy during maintenance, as moving maintenance units under a stationary head can cause positional shifts due to vibration and require increased stage dimensions, leading to costly and inaccurate installations.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet drawing apparatus with a movable drawing table and unmovable head module, featuring a maintenance unit transfer mechanism and relative position measuring system, allows for precise placement of maintenance units without extending the stage's length or dimensions, using a robot arm or gantry for selective unit placement and minimizing vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the head is arranged to be unmovable to maintain high landing position accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the stage dimensions must be increased to accommodate maintenance units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal arrangement of maintenance units on the stage to vertical arrangement above the stage. The maintenance unit installation mechanism is positioned in the vertical space above the stage, allowing maintenance units to be installed without increasing the horizontal stage dimensions. This dimensional transition resolves the contradiction between maintaining head stability and accommodating maintenance equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the maintenance function into separate maintenance units (capping unit, sucking unit, flushing tray, wiping unit) that can be independently installed and selected. Each maintenance unit is independently positioned above the stage, allowing flexible arrangement without requiring a large continuous stage area. This segmentation enables compact integration while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If maintenance units are moved to positions just under the head with high accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to high accuracy movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a simplified selection and installation mechanism. Instead of requiring the stage to move with high precision to various positions for different maintenance units, the system uses a selection mechanism that identifies the required maintenance unit and a installation mechanism that positions it above the stage. This substitution dramatically reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning of maintenance units above the stage before actual maintenance operations. The maintenance units are pre-positioned in selectable locations above the stage, and the installation mechanism rapidly selects and moves the required unit to the head position. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex real-time positioning during maintenance operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the stage moves long distances to accommodate maintenance units, then adaptability is improved, but vibration is generated that causes head position shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves maintenance unit installation to the vertical dimension above the stage, allowing maintenance units to be accessed without long horizontal movements. The installation mechanism operates in the vertical space above the stage, eliminating the need for the stage to traverse long distances horizontally. This dimensional change reduces movement-induced vibration while maintaining full access to all maintenance units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary installation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the maintenance unit storage position and the head position. This intermediary mechanism rapidly selects and positions the required maintenance unit above the stage without requiring the stage itself to move long distances. The intermediary mechanism absorbs the movement requirements, protecting the head position from vibration caused by long-stage movements.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet drawing apparatus includes a head module which holds a droplet jetting head provided with a nozzle for ejecting droplets, and which is unmovable in a horizontal direction, and a drawing table which supports a recording member on an upper surface, and which is movable in the horizontal direction. The inkjet drawing apparatus executes a prescribed drawing by ejecting the droplets onto the recording member from the droplet jetting head. A maintenance unit transfer mechanism is movable within a prescribed region including a position under the head module, and transfers a maintenance unit for conducting a maintenance of the droplet jetting head toward the position under the head module, and executes positioning of the maintenance unit with respect to the droplet jetting head. A maintenance unit selecting/arranging mechanism selects one of a plurality of kinds of maintenance units, and places the selected maintenance unit on the maintenance unit transfer mechanism.