Inkjet Windbreak Member Length Adjustment for Media Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face issues with cockling and jamming due to the swelling of recording media caused by ink, as the windbreak wall, designed to prevent airflow, is often oriented downward and can catch the swollen media, leading to mechanical jams.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a recording head unit with multiple line heads and windbreak members, where the second windbreak member protrudes less than the first, and a transport mechanism that adjusts windbreak member lengths based on calculated ink accumulation to prevent media swelling and jamming, using a cam mechanism for dynamic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a windbreak wall is provided to prevent airflow and stabilize ink droplets, then recording precision is improved, but the recording medium may be caught by the windbreak wall causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The windbreak member is made movable in the head row direction through a cam mechanism, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the windbreak member to adapt to the swollen state of the recording medium, preventing jamming while maintaining airflow control for stable ink droplet ejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the windbreak member is changed based on the accumulated ink amount. By adjusting the windbreak member's position according to the swelling degree of the recording medium, the system maintains optimal recording precision while avoiding jamming conditions.
2Reliability
If the windbreak member is positioned to prevent jamming, then reliability is improved, but airflow control for stabilizing ink droplets is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the windbreak member position, allowing the system to optimize between jamming prevention and airflow control based on real-time recording conditions. The windbreak member can be positioned to maintain airflow stability when needed while retracting to prevent jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the windbreak member is dynamically changed based on recording conditions and accumulated ink amount, enabling the system to adaptively balance between preventing jamming and maintaining airflow control for accurate recording.
3Productivity
If multiple line heads are arranged to increase productivity, then recording speed is improved, but the complexity of windbreak member configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The windbreak members are segmented and individually associated with each line head, allowing independent control and adjustment of each windbreak member. This modular approach manages the complexity of multi-line-head configurations while maintaining high recording speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism provides a universal solution for controlling multiple windbreak members across different line heads, simplifying the overall system complexity while enabling high-speed multi-line-head recording operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording head unit includes a first line head and a second line head in which nozzles are provided in an X-axis direction. The first line head is arranged on one side of the second line head in a Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction. The first line head includes a first windbreak member. The second line head includes a second windbreak member. A length by which the first windbreak member protrudes is smaller than a length by which the second windbreak member protrudes.