Liquid Discharge Head Securing Structure for Nozzle Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

In ink-jet printers, the positional shift of nozzles is significant when the liquid discharge head is secured to a holding member, leading to inaccuracies in printing due to the distance between the securing portion and the nozzles.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus design where the securing portion is positioned closer to the nozzle plate within the second channel member, reducing nozzle positional variation by securing the head unit with protrusions that overlap in the conveyance direction, thus minimizing shifts during attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the securing portion is positioned far from the nozzle plate (in the first channel member), then the structural stability is improved, but the nozzle positional shift increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidnozzle positional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the channel members into two distinct segments: a first channel member positioned farther from the nozzle plate providing structural stability, and a second channel member positioned closer to the nozzle plate providing precise positioning. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical stacking dimension, arranging channel members at different distances from the nozzle plate in the thickness direction. This multi-dimensional configuration enables simultaneous optimization of both structural stability (achieved through the first channel member) and positioning precision (achieved through the second channel member).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the securing portion is positioned close to the nozzle plate, then the nozzle positional shift is reduced, but the structural stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle positional accuracyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the channel members into two distinct segments: a first channel member positioned farther from the nozzle plate providing structural stability, and a second channel member positioned closer to the nozzle plate providing precise positioning. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical stacking dimension, arranging channel members at different distances from the nozzle plate in the thickness direction. This multi-dimensional configuration enables simultaneous optimization of both structural stability (achieved through the first channel member) and positioning precision (achieved through the second channel member).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10926539B2Liquid discharge apparatus and liquid discharge head

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: at least one liquid discharge head; and a holding member holding the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge head includes: a nozzle plate; a first channel member stacked on the nozzle plate in a first direction and including a channel through which liquid is supplied to the nozzles, and a second channel member including at least one plate and arranged between the nozzle plate and the first channel member in the first direction, the second channel member including individual channels connected to the nozzles. The second channel member includes a securing portion secured to the holding member and provided at a position closer to the nozzle plate than the first channel member.