Inkjet Head Unit Main Scanning Arrangement for Size Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printer head units with separate heads for color inks, white ink, and reaction liquids face challenges in size reduction and efficient replacement, leading to increased size and reduced throughput in different printing modes.
Innovation Solution
A head unit configuration where a first head for reaction liquids and a second head for color and white inks are arranged along the main scanning direction, with the reaction liquid head at one end and the white ink head at the other, allowing for reduced size and easy replacement of heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate heads for color inks, white ink, and reaction liquids are arranged in the sub-scanning direction, then each head can be independently configured, but the head unit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from arranging heads in the sub-scanning direction (vertical arrangement) to arranging them in the main scanning direction (horizontal arrangement). This dimensional change allows the heads to be positioned along the carriage travel path rather than stacked, reducing the vertical footprint of the head unit while maintaining independent configuration capability for each head type.
2Shape
If heads are arranged in the main scanning direction with color ink heads in the middle, then carriage travel distance is maximized for full-ink-mode printing, but throughput decreases when not all inks are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the head arrangement into functional groups: reaction liquid heads positioned at one end, color ink heads in the middle, and white ink heads at the other end. This segmentation allows the carriage to travel only through the necessary portion of the head unit depending on which inks are being used, improving throughput by avoiding unnecessary travel distance when not all ink types are required.
3Ease of repair
If multiple single-color heads are combined in the main scanning direction, then heads are easily replaceable, but the head unit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal mounting structure that accommodates different head types (color ink heads, white ink heads, reaction liquid heads) along the main scanning direction. This universal design allows various heads to be positioned sequentially without requiring additional vertical space, maintaining ease of replacement while minimizing head unit footprint through efficient spatial utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of a head unit include a first head formed with a nozzle array that ejects a reaction liquid which reacts with at least one selected from the group consisting of a color ink and a white ink and a second head formed with a nozzle array that ejects the color ink and with a nozzle array that ejects the white ink. The first head and the second head are disposed to be arranged in a main scanning direction such that the nozzle array for the reaction liquid is located at a position closest to a first end portion which is one end portion of the head unit in the main scanning direction and that the nozzle array for the white ink is located at a position closest to a second end portion which is another end portion of the head unit in the main scanning direction.