Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Array Arrangement for Mist Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet recording heads are not designed to consider the relationship between the method of using inks and the sequence of nozzle arrays, leading to inefficiencies in ink discharge and mist management, particularly with fluorescent-colored inks which tend to generate more mist and spread out inside the apparatus.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement of nozzle arrays where fluorescent-colored inks are discharged between non-fluorescent-colored ink nozzle arrays, creating an airflow that suppresses mist from fluorescent inks from floating and spreading, and allows for the formation of non-fluorescent ink dots over fluorescent ink dots on the medium, providing a fluorescent property to the non-fluorescent ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If fluorescent nozzle arrays are arranged outside the first and second nozzle arrays, then the structure is simpler, but mist from fluorescent inks floats and spreads inside the apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle array arrangementVSAvoidmist spread

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions fluorescent nozzle arrays between the first and second nozzle arrays, converting the harmful mist generation from fluorescent inks into a beneficial airflow pattern. The mist generation creates an airflow that suppresses further mist spread, and the central positioning ensures this airflow contains rather than disperses the mist, ultimately improving print quality by preventing mist contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluorescent nozzle arrays act as an intermediary element between the first and second nozzle arrays. By positioning them in the middle, they create an intermediate airflow zone that mediates the interaction between different ink streams, using the fluorescent ink discharge to generate protective airflow that shields the printing process from mist contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If non-fluorescent ink dots are formed over fluorescent ink dots, then printing efficiency is improved, but the fluorescent property may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidfluorescent property maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the fluorescent ink dots on the medium first, creating a base layer with fluorescent properties. This preliminary action ensures that the fluorescent characteristic is already present before non-fluorescent inks are applied, allowing subsequent printing operations to maintain productivity while preserving the fluorescent effect through proper layering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This arrangement effectively suppresses mist from fluorescent inks, ensuring they adhere to the nozzle surface and enhances printing quality by providing a fluorescent property to non-fluorescent inks, improving ink jet recording performance.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid ejecting head includes: a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array through which a non-fluorescent-colored liquid is discharged; and one or more fluorescent nozzle arrays through which respective fluorescent-colored liquids are discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInk jet discharge:

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirflow generation:

Implementation Method 3

one or more fluorescent nozzle arrays through which respective fluorescent-colored liquids are discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11654692B2Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head includes: a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array through which a non-fluorescent-colored liquid is discharged; and one or more fluorescent nozzle arrays through which respective fluorescent-colored liquids are discharged. Further, the fluorescent nozzle arrays are arranged between the first nozzle array and the second nozzle array.