Liquid Discharge Head Dual-Driver Motion for Collision Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in quickly moving a liquid discharge head away from an object to avoid collisions, particularly when the head is about to collide with projections on the object, necessitating a lengthy movement of the entire unit which may not effectively prevent collisions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a carriage with a liquid discharge head and two drivers: a first driver to move the carriage along intersecting axes, and a second driver to move the head relative to the carriage along the same axis, allowing for rapid repositioning of the head to avoid collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire spray gun head unit is moved away from the object to avoid collision, then collision avoidance is achieved, but the movement time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidmovement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the spray gun head unit into two independent movable components: the carriage holding multiple spray gun heads and the individual spray gun heads themselves. Each can move independently along the Z-axis through separate drive mechanisms, allowing selective repositioning without moving the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control where the carriage and spray gun heads can move at different speeds and distances based on real-time collision risk assessment. When collision is detected or predicted, only the necessary component moves the minimum required distance, optimizing response time while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the entire spray gun head unit is moved away from the object, then collision avoidance is achieved, but productivity decreases due to lengthy repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidprinting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the spray gun head unit into two independent movable components: the carriage holding multiple spray gun heads and the individual spray gun heads themselves. Each can move independently along the Z-axis through separate drive mechanisms, allowing selective repositioning without moving the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of moving the entire carriage assembly, the system applies partial action by moving only the specific spray gun head that poses collision risk. This minimal necessary movement maintains safety while preserving overall system productivity and reducing repositioning time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4188712B1Liquid discharge apparatus, liquid discharger, and method for driving liquid discharge head
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4188712B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4188712B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4188712B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a carriage (1), a liquid discharge head (300, 300C, 300K, 300M, 300Y, 300S, 300W) having a discharge port (P1, P2), a first driver (92), and a second driver (93). The carriage is movable along at least one of a first axis (X) and a second axis (Y) intersecting the first axis. The liquid discharge head is held by the carriage and discharges a liquid from the discharge port toward an object (100) in a direction along a third axis (Z) intersecting the first axis and the second axis. The first driver moves the carriage along the third axis. The second driver moves the liquid discharge head along the third axis relative to the carriage.