Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Head Overlap Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face a decline in image quality due to concentration differences between heads, and an unnecessary increase in overlap width reduces throughput.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a configuration where the first head unit and second head unit are disposed such that the overlap width between the first and second heads is minimized, while the second and third heads have a wider overlap, optimizing the arrangement of head units along orthogonal directions to reduce concentration differences and maintain throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the overlap width between adjacent heads is increased to suppress concentration difference, then image quality is improved, but throughput declines due to unnecessary increase in overlap width
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the overlap width between different head pairs. Specifically, the overlap width between heads in the same head unit (first and second heads) is set to a first value, while the overlap width between heads in adjacent head units (second and third heads) is set to a second value that is smaller than the first value. This localized differentiation allows sufficient overlap within head units to maintain image quality while reducing unnecessary overlap between head units to preserve throughput.
2Manufacturing precision
If the overlap width between heads is increased to moderate concentration differences, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to non-uniform head arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different overlap width values to different spatial locations in the head arrangement. The first overlap width (between first and second heads) differs from the second overlap width (between second and third heads). This localized variation in geometric parameters allows the system to optimize image quality in critical areas while simplifying other areas, thereby managing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the head arrangement into distinct groups with different overlap characteristics. Head units are segmented such that internal head overlaps differ from inter-unit head overlaps. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each segment's overlap width, making the complex overall arrangement manageable through modular design principles.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first head unit having a first head provided with a plurality of first nozzles and a second head unit having a second head provided with a plurality of second nozzles and a third head provided at a position different from the second head in a first direction and provided with a plurality of third nozzles. The second head and the third head are provided at different positions in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and the first head unit and the second head unit are disposed such that a width at which the first head and the second head overlap in the first direction is smaller than a width at which the second head and the third head overlap in the first direction.