Liquid Jetting Apparatus Head Unit Positioning and Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid jetting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent jetting characteristics due to temperature variations caused by heating elements, especially when only some head units are used for printing different paper widths, leading to significant changes in liquid temperature and jetting performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jetting apparatus with a controller that selectively drives first and second head units, where the second head unit is positioned farther from the heating element, and temperature detecting sections are used to correct temperature variations, reducing the number of temperature sensors for second head units to minimize production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the second head unit is positioned closer to the heating element to reduce production costs, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the liquid temperature changes significantly causing jetting characteristic degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the positioning of head units based on their usage patterns. The second head unit, which can operate independently for narrow paper printing, is positioned farther from the heating element to maintain stable jetting characteristics when used alone, while the first head unit closer to the heating element is used in combination with others for wide paper printing where heat impact is distributed across multiple units.
2Measurement precision
If temperature detecting sections are provided for all head units, then temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by selectively providing temperature detecting sections only for the first head unit that is positioned close to the heating element and experiences significant temperature changes. The second head unit, positioned farther away with more stable temperature, does not require a dedicated temperature sensor, thereby reducing device complexity and production cost while maintaining adequate temperature control precision for the critical first head unit.
3Productivity
If only some head units are used for narrow paper printing, then productivity is improved by matching head unit usage to paper width, but the jetting characteristics become unstable due to heat influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the second head unit farther from the heating element during the design stage, anticipating that it may need to operate independently for narrow paper printing. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the second head unit is used alone, the liquid temperature remains stable and jetting characteristics are consistent, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling productivity improvements through selective head unit usage.
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 effectively suppresses changes in jetting characteristics, ensuring stable ink discharge and reducing production costs by minimizing temperature sensor usage for second head units.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element configured to generate heat under a condition that the head drive section executes the first drive mode and the second drive mode
Implementation Method 2
a temperature of the liquid in each head unit increases due to heat radiated from the heating element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid jetting apparatus includes a first head unit and a second head unit, each of the head units including nozzles through which a liquid is discharged; a head drive section configured to drive the first head unit and the second head unit; a controller configured to control the head drive section to selectively execute a first drive mode in which both of the first head unit and the second head unit are driven and a second drive mode in which only the second head unit is driven; and a heating element configured to generate heat under a condition that the head drive section executes the first drive mode and the second drive mode. The second head unit is arranged at a position separated farther from the heating element than the first head unit.