Liquid Discharge Head Nozzle Array Interval Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid discharge heads with high-density nozzle arrays face issues with droplet deviation due to self-airflow interference, leading to abnormal images like wind ripples and edge distortion, as the landing position of discharged droplets can deviate from the target due to varying nozzle intervals.

Innovation Solution

The liquid discharge head is designed with nozzle arrays arranged in a specific pattern where adjacent arrays have nozzles at different intervals, allowing for dynamic adjustment of nozzle positions to align with the direction of droplet swerve, thereby reducing deviation and improving landing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nozzles are arranged with constant intervals in high-density arrays, then productivity is improved through high-frequency discharge from large numbers of nozzles, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to droplet landing position deviation caused by self-airflow interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge frequencyVSAvoidlanding position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the nozzle intervals in specific regions (end portions) of the nozzle array while maintaining constant intervals in the central region. This local modification targets the specific problem area where self-airflow interference causes droplet deviation, allowing high-density arrays to maintain both productivity and precision by adapting nozzle spacing to local flow conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of nozzle intervals from constant to variable in specific regions. By adjusting the interval parameter in end portions of the nozzle array, the design compensates for self-airflow effects and achieves better landing position accuracy while maintaining high discharge frequencies across the entire array

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If nozzle intervals are widened at end portions to compensate for droplet deviation, then manufacturing precision is improved through better landing accuracy, but device complexity increases due to non-uniform nozzle spacing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelanding position accuracyVSAvoidnozzle arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the nozzle array into distinct regions: a central region with constant nozzle intervals and end regions with varied intervals. This segmentation allows the complex variable spacing to be applied only where necessary (end portions), while the majority of the array (central region) maintains simple uniform spacing, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11479042B2Liquid discharge head, head module, head device, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays arranged in a first direction. The plurality of nozzle arrays each includes nozzles from which a liquid is discharged, the nozzles arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and one of two nozzle arrays of the plurality of nozzle arrays adjacent to each other in the first direction include at least two nozzles arranged at different nozzle intervals from corresponding nozzles of another of the two nozzle arrays in the first direction.