Inkjet Head Positioning Adjustment for Thermal Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, temperature changes in the holding unit due to heat generation or environmental factors cause thermal deformation, leading to misalignment of inkjet heads and deteriorated image quality as ink cannot be accurately supplied to the target position.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus equipped with a temperature determination unit to predict and adjust the positional changes of inkjet heads due to thermal deformation, using an adjustment unit to correct the image position on the recording medium, ensuring precise ink placement despite temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the holding unit is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but thermal deformation cannot be compensated when temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable adjustment mechanism that allows the holding unit to dynamically compensate for thermal deformation. The adjustment mechanism includes movable components that can shift positions based on temperature changes, enabling the system to adapt to thermal expansion or contraction while maintaining positioning precision of the inkjet heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature sensors to detect changes in the holding unit's temperature and adjusts the positioning parameters of the inkjet heads accordingly. By changing the positional parameters based on temperature data, the system compensates for thermal deformation and maintains accurate ink ejection positioning despite temperature fluctuations.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex adjustment mechanisms are added to compensate for thermal deformation, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-compensating mechanism where the holding unit automatically adjusts its own positioning based on temperature changes. The adjustment mechanism is integrated into the holding unit structure, allowing it to self-correct thermal deformation without requiring external intervention or complex additional systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compensation systems with a sensor-based control system. Instead of using elaborate mechanical structures to physically compensate for thermal deformation, the system uses temperature sensors to detect thermal changes and electronically adjusts the positioning of inkjet heads, simplifying the overall mechanism while maintaining precision.
3Device complexity
If the inkjet heads are fixed in position to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the holding unit into segmented components that can independently adjust their positions. Instead of requiring the entire holding unit to be complex, only specific segments or modules are made adjustable to compensate for thermal deformation. This segmentation allows for simpler overall structure while maintaining the capability to correct positioning errors and ensure high image quality.
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
The solution enables the formation of high-quality images even when the holding unit's temperature changes, by accurately adjusting the position of inkjet heads and ink ejection timing, thereby maintaining image quality and reducing the need for complex mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of a holding unit that holds the plurality of heads may change due to heat generation during image formation, a change in environmental temperature, and the like. When the positional relationship of each head changes due to thermal deformation of the holding unit
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an image forming apparatus (1) capable of forming a high-quality image even when a temperature of a holding unit (33) holding a plurality of heads (311, 312, and 313) changes during image formation. An image forming apparatus (1) includes a plurality of heads (311, 312, and 313) that ejects ink onto an image forming body to form an image on the image forming body, a holding unit (33) that holds the plurality of heads (311, 312, and 313), a temperature determination unit that determines a temperature of the holding unit (33), and an adjustment unit that adjusts a position of an image formed on the image forming body by the ink ejected from each of the heads (311, 312, and 313) according to the temperature of the holding unit (33) determined by the temperature determination unit.