Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Airflow Gap Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting apparatuses with carriages moving in an intersecting direction experience airflow-induced shifts in the ejection direction of liquid due to differences in airflow generation between the upstream and downstream sides, which existing configurations, such as fans, fail to adequately suppress.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is configured with adjustment parts that reduce the gap differences between the upstream and downstream sides in both orthogonal and transport directions, and includes a space reduction part and partition portion to minimize airflow generation, thereby stabilizing the ejection direction of liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the carriage moves in the intersecting direction to enable liquid ejection onto the transported medium, then the liquid ejecting function is achieved, but airflow is generated causing the ejection direction of the liquid to shift
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful airflow generated by carriage movement into a beneficial controlled flow pattern. By designing the cover portion with specific gap configurations (first gap on upstream side, second gap on downstream side), the airflow is directed in a controlled manner that prevents it from interfering with liquid ejection, thus converting the harmful effect into an acceptable operational condition
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different gap dimensions at different locations within the cover portion. The first gap (upstream side) and second gap (downstream side) are configured with different sizes to create localized airflow characteristics that prevent uniform airflow interference across the ejection area, thereby maintaining ejection direction accuracy while preserving carriage movement functionality
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a fan is added to suppress ink mist sticking to the head, then ink mist control is improved, but the ejection direction shift caused by airflow remains unresolved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the airflow control function into multiple independent components: the cover portion with specific gap configurations, the partition wall, and the space reduction part. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of airflow control - the gaps control overall airflow pattern, the partition wall directs flow away from the head, and the space reduction part minimizes airflow generation - collectively solving both ink mist control and ejection direction accuracy without requiring a fan
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that can eject liquid, a carriage that holds the head and can move in an intersecting direction, a support portion that can support a medium from a side opposite the side on which the head is located, a frame portion that is provided upstream of the carriage in the transport direction, the carriage being attached to the frame portion, a cover portion that covers the carriage, a first adjustment part that is attached to the frame portion, and a second adjustment part that is attached to a positioning portion. A difference between a first adjustment distance and a second adjustment distance is smaller than a difference between a first distance and a second distance.