Inkjet Print Module Mounting Assembly with Front-Access Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing systems face challenges in achieving precise and cost-effective adjustment of inkjet print heads, leading to cumbersome manual adjustments, increased complexity, and weight due to the placement of adjustment mechanisms on the rear side, which obstructs access and requires disassembly for re-adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment mechanisms for inkjet print heads are positioned on the nozzle face side, allowing for compact, lightweight, and precise adjustment with a robot that can easily access and operate these mechanisms, reducing the need for individual motor drives and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If adjustment mechanisms are placed on the rear side of the mounting assembly, then the structure is simplified, but access to control members becomes obstructed requiring disassembly for re-adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing adjustment mechanisms on the nozzle face side rather than the rear side of the mounting assembly. This inversion allows control members to be accessible from the front, eliminating the need for disassembly while maintaining structural simplicity through direct positioning of adjustment components.
2Extent of automation
If individual motor drives are provided for each adjustment mechanism, then automation is improved, but weight and complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single multi-functional robot that can service multiple adjustment mechanisms across different carriers. This universal approach allows automated adjustment of multiple print heads without requiring individual motor drives for each mechanism, thereby reducing overall weight while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system uses a standardized tool that can be replicated or reused across multiple carriers. Instead of having unique motor drives for each adjustment mechanism, the same robotic tool is copied or reused to service multiple identical or similar adjustment points, reducing weight and complexity.
3Ease of operation
If control members are positioned on the nozzle face side, then access for adjustment is improved, but the adjustment mechanisms may interfere with nozzle operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions control members in a spatial arrangement that separates their operational plane from the nozzle ejection path. By utilizing vertical or lateral positioning in three-dimensional space, the adjustment mechanisms are placed in a different dimension than the horizontal nozzle operations, allowing both functions to coexist without interference.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A mounting assembly (1) for mounting a plurality of inkjet print modules in an adjoining relationship along a longitudinal direction of the mounting assembly (1) comprises a linear guide (13, 14) extending in the longitudinal direction for supporting the plurality of modules such that the modules are movable along the linear guide (13, 14). It further comprises for each of the plurality of modules a carrier (100.1...4) for mounting an inkjet print head including an array of nozzles formed on a nozzle face, wherein the carriers (100.1...4) are supported on the linear guide (13, 14) such that they are movable along the linear guide (13, 14), wherein in a mounted configuration of the inkjet print heads their nozzle face is arranged on a first side of the linear guide (13, 14). Each carrier (100.1...4) comprises a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance of the carriers 100.1...4) of two adjoining modules of the plurality of modules, the first adjustment mechanism comprising a first control member having an operating section for mechanically cooperating with a tool for adjusting the distance. Each carrier (100.1...4) further comprises a second adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle position of the inkjet print head mounted to the carrier (100.1...4) with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the second adjustment mechanism comprising a second control member having an operating section for mechanically cooperating with a tool for adjusting the angle position. The operating sections of the control members of the first and of the second adjustment mechanism are accessible from the first side of the linear guide (13, 14).