Liquid Discharge Control for Uniform Curved-Surface Ink Films

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses struggle to maintain uniformity and quality of liquid application on three-dimensional curved surfaces, particularly in terms of ink film thickness, due to variations in vertical height and surface inclination.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus with a controller that adjusts the ink amount, droplet volume, and discharge frequency based on the vertical height and inclination of the application surface, ensuring uniform ink film thickness through controlled ink dripping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If liquid is discharged uniformly without adjustment on a three-dimensional curved surface, then the discharge process is simple, but the ink film thickness becomes non-uniform due to variations in vertical height and surface inclination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink film thickness uniformityVSAvoiddischarge control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adjusting discharge parameters (droplet amount, discharge timing, discharge position) according to the local characteristics of each application position. The controller determines specific discharge parameters for each nozzle based on the vertical height and surface inclination at that particular location, ensuring that each local area receives the appropriate liquid amount to achieve uniform film thickness across the entire curved surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically modifying discharge parameters including droplet amount, discharge timing, and discharge position based on the detected vertical height and surface inclination. The controller adjusts these parameters in real-time according to the surface geometry, changing the discharge characteristics to compensate for variations in surface orientation and height, thereby achieving uniform ink film thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the discharge parameters are adjusted for each position on a curved surface, then uniform ink film thickness is achieved, but the control processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid application qualityVSAvoidcontrol processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the relationship between vertical height, surface inclination, and optimal discharge parameters. The controller uses this pre-established data to quickly determine discharge parameters without performing complex real-time calculations, thereby reducing control processing time while maintaining the ability to adjust parameters for each position according to surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If the number of nozzles is increased to cover larger areas, then the application area is expanded, but the uniformity of liquid distribution becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication areaVSAvoidliquid distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by individually controlling each nozzle based on its specific position and the local surface characteristics. Each nozzle's discharge parameters are independently adjusted according to the vertical height and surface inclination at its application position, ensuring uniform liquid distribution even across large areas with multiple nozzles and varying surface geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The apparatus achieves a substantially uniform ink film thickness on complex surfaces by equalizing ink amounts across varying heights and inclinations, enhancing application quality.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid discharge apparatus which discharges liquid by a head to apply the liquid to an application surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4201683B1Liquid discharge apparatus, liquid discharge method, and carrier medium
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4201683B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4201683B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4201683B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus (1000) includes a head (300) and a controller (500). The head (300) discharges liquid to apply the liquid to an application surface. The controller (500) controls discharge of the liquid from the head (300) based on a vertical height of an application position at which the liquid is applied on the application surface.