Ink-jet Head Nozzle Arrangement for Special Color Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face challenges with the size and functionality when incorporating special color inks, as they increase the printer's size and risk nozzle clogging or incorrect image formation due to mixing with other inks, especially when special color inks with poor dispersibility are used.
Innovation Solution
The design of an ink-jet head with separate nozzle rows for black, color, and special inks, where the special ink row is positioned at an end and can also jet black ink, reducing the overall printer size and minimizing ink mixing, with specific arrangements of nozzles to enhance printing speed and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a recording head for special color ink is mounted on the head holder together with black and color ink recording heads, then the printer can jet special color ink, but the length of the head holder in scanning direction becomes long, increasing the overall printer size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension by positioning the special color ink nozzle row in the paper feeding direction (first direction) rather than arranging all nozzle rows parallel to each other in the scanning direction (second direction). This dimensional reorganization allows the special color ink recording head to share the head holder without increasing its length in the scanning direction, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and compactness.
2Device complexity
If the recording head for special color ink is positioned between the black ink and extended-ink recording heads, then it can be integrated into the head holder, but the special color ink easily flows into other nozzles positioned at both sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the special color ink nozzle row from the intermediate position between black and color ink nozzles, and positions it at the end of the nozzle rows in the paper feeding direction. This extraction from the harmful intermediate position eliminates the risk of special color ink flowing into adjacent nozzles of different colors, thereby preventing ink mixing while maintaining integration in the head holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by positioning the special color ink nozzle row at the terminal position in the paper feeding direction, where no other nozzle rows exist beyond it. This preliminary positioning prevents the potential harmful effect of ink flow into adjacent nozzles before it can occur, as there are no adjacent nozzles in the paper feeding direction at the terminal position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If special color ink with poor dispersibility is flowed into a nozzle jetting other ink, then it can be mixed with other ink, but a precipitate is generated inside the nozzle leading to jetting defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the special color ink nozzle row from proximity to other nozzle rows by positioning it at the terminal position in the paper feeding direction. This spatial extraction prevents special color ink from flowing into adjacent nozzles, thereby avoiding precipitate formation and jetting defects that would result from mixing inks with poor dispersibility.
4Ease of operation
If special color ink is mixed with other ink, then it can be jetted from any nozzle, but the image formed cannot be correctly detected by appropriate devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the special color ink nozzle row to a terminal position where it cannot contaminate other nozzles, ensuring that special color ink is jetted only from its designated nozzles. This prevents mixing with other inks, thereby maintaining the purity required for accurate image detection by appropriate devices while still providing operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet head includes a nozzle row which jets a black ink, and nozzle rows which jet color inks, and a nozzle row which jets a special color ink. These nozzle rows are arranged in a scanning direction, and further, the nozzle row jetting the special color ink is positioned at an extreme end with respect to the scanning direction. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a small size printer which is capable of jetting the special color ink. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the special color ink from getting mixed into a nozzle which jets an ink of other type.