Suspended Inkjet Print Head Alignment via Adjustable Platen Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pagewidth ink jet printing systems face challenges in increasing printing speed without compromising print quality, particularly due to misalignment issues between multiple print head cartridges, which result in printing defects and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple pagewidth monochrome print head cartridges, where each line of a full color image is printed by a single cartridge, aligning monochrome images to overlap and compensate for misalignments, along with a mechanical structure that supports and aligns the print head cartridges accurately, including a platen with adjustable positioning pins and a maintenance system for precise alignment and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pagewidth print head cartridges are used to increase printing speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment between cartridges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the color printing function into separate monochrome print head cartridges, with each cartridge dedicated to a specific color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). This segmentation allows each cartridge to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent alignment and maintenance of each cartridge, thereby maintaining high printing speed while improving alignment precision through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a platen with adjustable positioning pins as an intermediary mechanism between the print head cartridges and the print media. These positioning pins serve as reference points that enable precise alignment and compensation for misalignments between multiple cartridges, directly addressing the manufacturing precision issue while allowing multiple cartridges to operate simultaneously for high productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple print head cartridges are used, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to alignment and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal maintenance system that can service multiple different print head cartridges through a single interface. The maintenance chassis with standardized cradles and positioning mechanisms can align, clean, and maintain any of the monochrome cartridges using the same procedures, thereby reducing operational complexity despite having multiple cartridges for high-speed printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-aligning features where the positioning pins on the platen automatically reference the print head cartridges during installation and maintenance. This self-service alignment mechanism reduces the complexity of manual alignment procedures and enables operators to quickly service multiple cartridges without requiring complex adjustment tools or procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If monochrome print head cartridges are used instead of color cartridges, then manufacturing precision is improved through better alignment, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dedicating each print head cartridge to a specific monochrome function (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, or Black). This specialization allows each cartridge to be optimized for its specific color with dedicated nozzles and ink channels, improving alignment precision for each color channel while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional specialization rather than requiring complex multi-color cartridges.
Data Source
AI summary
A suspended inkjet printing system includes: a pair of support beams extending across a media path; a mounting frame mounted between the support beams, a print head chassis mounted on the mounting frame, the print head chassis being actuable between at least a printing position and a maintenance position; and a plurality of print heads mounted on the print head chassis, each print head extending across the media path and spaced apart along the media path in a direction of media propagation. A plurality of projections extend from the print head chassis into engagement with the mounting frame, the projections controlling a height of the print head chassis relative to the media path.