Inkjet Printer Nozzle Stray Light Suppression via Carriage Uneven Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers are ineffective in suppressing stray light from the light irradiation device due to the uneven portion for stray light suppression being positioned too far from the nozzle surface, leading to reduced print quality and increased risk of light irradiation device misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The uneven portion for suppressing stray light is positioned closer to the nozzle surface on the head base or carriage, rather than the cover of the light irradiation device, with surface treatments like sandblasting or alumite to scatter or absorb stray light, ensuring effective suppression and improved alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the uneven portion for suppressing stray light is provided in the cover of the light irradiation device, then the device structure is simple, but the uneven portion is not disposed at a position sufficiently close to the nozzle surface and cannot effectively suppress stray light
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the function of stray light suppression by separating the uneven portion from the light irradiation device cover and relocating it to the carriage. This segmentation allows the uneven portion to be positioned independently at the optimal location between the light irradiation device and the nozzle surface, achieving effective stray light suppression while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage serves as an intermediary component that holds the uneven portion at the critical position between the light irradiation device and the nozzle surface. By placing the uneven portion on the carriage rather than integrating it with either the light irradiation device or the nozzle assembly, the system achieves precise positioning of the stray light suppression function at the optimal location
2Manufacturing precision
If the uneven portion is disposed at a position closer to the nozzle surface, then stray light suppression effectiveness is improved, but the risk of misalignment between the uneven portion and nozzle surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the uneven portion with the carriage assembly, creating an integrated unit that moves together with the inkjet head. This combination ensures that the uneven portion maintains a fixed, predetermined position relative to the nozzle surface throughout the scanning process, eliminating misalignment risks while achieving close proximity for effective stray light suppression
Solution Approach 2:
The uneven portion is pre-positioned on the carriage at a predetermined location that is optimized for stray light suppression. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the carriage moves with the inkjet head, the uneven portion is already in the correct position to suppress stray light effectively, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms
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
This configuration significantly reduces stray light reaching the nozzle surface, enhancing print quality and reducing the likelihood of light irradiation device misalignment, while also simplifying the printer design and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an uneven portion for suppressing stray light from the light irradiation device from reaching the nozzle surface is provided in a portion closer to the nozzle surface than the light irradiation device
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer including a platen that supports a recording medium; an inkjet head having a nozzle surface that ejects ink, which cures by being irradiated with light, toward the recording medium; a light irradiation device that irradiates the ink attached to the recording medium with light; and a carriage that is mounted on the inkjet head and the light irradiation device, and is scanned with respect to the platen; where an uneven portion for suppressing stray light from the light irradiation device from reaching the nozzle surface is provided in a portion closer to the nozzle surface than the light irradiation device in a scanning direction; and the uneven portion is provided at a position facing a space on a path of the stray light from the light irradiation device to the nozzle surface in a space between the portion and the platen.