Inkjet Needle Fixing Device with Groove Clamper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet cartridges require entire replacement when an inkjet needle is damaged, leading to cost wastage and risk of operator injury or contamination during disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a case body and grooves that accommodate inkjet needles, featuring clampers for secure fixation and easy replacement, along with protective cases to prevent contamination and injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire inkjet cartridge is replaced when an inkjet needle is damaged, then the reliability of the printing system is maintained, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet cartridge is divided into separable components: the cassette body and the inkjet needle assembly. The inkjet needle can be independently removed and replaced by detaching it from the cassette body through the fixing device, allowing selective replacement of only the damaged needle rather than the entire cartridge, thus reducing material waste and manufacturing costs while maintaining printing system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The damaged inkjet needle is discarded and replaced with a new one, while the intact cassette body is recovered and reused. The fixing device enables this by providing a mechanism to securely hold and release the inkjet needle from the cassette body, allowing the functional cassette body to be retained and the only damaged component (the needle) to be replaced
2Ease of repair
If the inkjet cartridge is disassembled for needle replacement, then individual needle replacement becomes possible, but the risk of operator injury and contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is pre-configured with clampers and grooves that automatically engage with the inkjet needle when the protective case is opened. This preliminary setup ensures that the needle is securely held in place during the replacement process, preventing accidental contact with operators while enabling easy replacement. The protective case itself is designed to guide the replacement operation in a safe manner
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the inkjet needle. Instead of the operator directly handling the needle, the clampers and grooves of the fixing device provide a controlled interface that secures the needle during replacement, reducing the risk of direct contact and contamination while facilitating the replacement operation
3Manufacturing precision
If the inkjet needle is securely fixed in the cartridge, then printing precision is maintained, but the complexity of the fixing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function is extracted as a separate, modular component (the fixing device with its clampers and grooves) that can be independently designed and optimized. This extraction allows the fixing mechanism to achieve secure holding of the inkjet needle for precise printing while keeping the overall cartridge structure simple and the fixing mechanism itself easily replaceable or serviceable
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing device, an inkjet cartridge and an inkjet printing apparatus are disclosed. The fixing device includes a case body. The case body includes a front end and a rear end and provided with at least one groove extending from the rear end to the front end, the at least one groove is provided with at least one clamper therein for fixing a work piece therein.