Liquid Ejecting Head Nozzle Group Positioning for Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid ejecting apparatuses require increased dimensions due to the need for separate upstream and downstream transport units, which complicates maintenance and increases space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a moving mechanism that allows the liquid ejecting head and transport belt to be positioned in the width direction, enabling preliminary ejection by deviating nozzle groups from the transport belt, thereby reducing maintenance time and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If separate upstream and downstream transport units are used, then maintenance can be performed, but the apparatus dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the upstream and downstream transport units into a single shared transport belt system. The transport belt serves both printing operations simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate transport units and reducing apparatus dimensions while maintaining maintenance capability through selective nozzle group positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic positioning capability where the liquid ejecting head can selectively position different nozzle groups (first and second nozzle groups) at different locations. During maintenance, the head moves to position nozzles between transport belts; during printing, nozzles are positioned opposite the transport belt. This dynamic repositioning enables both maintenance and printing functions with a single transport unit.
2Ease of repair
If the entire liquid ejecting head is moved for preliminary ejection, then maintenance can be performed, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ejecting head is segmented into multiple independent nozzle groups (first nozzle group and second nozzle group) that can be selectively positioned. This segmentation allows only the required nozzle group to be moved to the maintenance position between transport belts, rather than moving the entire head assembly, thereby reducing maintenance time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic selective positioning of nozzle groups where the liquid ejecting head can rapidly reposition specific nozzle groups between transport belts for maintenance or opposite the transport belt for printing. This dynamic capability enables quick switching between operational modes without moving the entire head assembly, significantly reducing maintenance time.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that prints an image on a medium, by ejecting a liquid through nozzles, a transport belt that transports the medium, at a position opposite the liquid ejecting head, a moving mechanism that moves the transport belt in a width direction, and a control unit that controls the moving mechanism. The liquid ejecting head includes a first nozzle group and a second nozzle group. The control unit controls the moving mechanism such that a nozzle group performing the preliminary ejection which is an ejection of the liquid not uninvolved in printing among the first nozzle group and the second nozzle group is located at a position not facing the transport belt, and a nozzle group that does not perform the preliminary ejection is located at a position facing the transport belt.