Liquid Ejecting Head Position Adjustment via Reference Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing liquid ejecting head units are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring precise positional adjustments of each recording head on a support member, which can lead to operational downtime and reduced productivity, especially when replacing individual heads.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves pre-adjusting the relative position between the reference surface and the liquid ejecting head main body, allowing for accurate positioning by simply contacting the reference part with the support member, thereby eliminating the need for individual positional corrections and improving installation workability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If each recording head is fixed to the support member with precise positional adjustment, then the positional accuracy of liquid droplets is improved, but the installation work becomes troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional accuracy of liquid dropletsVSAvoidinstallation workability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by pre-adjusting the relative position between the reference surface and the liquid ejecting head main body before installation. The position adjusting part (adjustment mechanism) is used to set the precise position of the liquid ejecting head relative to the reference surface in advance, during the head assembly manufacturing process. This pre-positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site adjustments when installing or replacing recording heads, thereby improving installation workability while maintaining high positional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If individual recording heads are replaced during repair, then the reliability of the liquid ejecting head unit is improved, but the operational downtime increases due to readjustment requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables quick replacement during repair by performing the position adjustment in advance during the head assembly manufacturing process. The position adjusting part is pre-configured to establish the correct relative position between the reference surface and the liquid ejecting head main body. When a recording head needs replacement, the new head assembly with pre-adjusted positioning can be installed immediately without requiring readjustment, thus minimizing operational downtime while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the relative position of each recording head is adjusted individually, then the ejecting characteristics are optimized, but the productivity of the manufacturing process deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejecting characteristics accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves this contradiction by performing the position adjustment in advance during the head assembly manufacturing process rather than during installation or repair. The position adjusting part is used to pre-set the precise relative position between the reference surface and the liquid ejecting head main body. This allows ejecting characteristics to be optimized while the head assembly is being manufactured, and once adjusted, multiple heads can be installed without repeated adjustments, thereby improving overall manufacturing efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2783866B1Method of manufacturing liquid ejecting head unit
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP2783866B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2783866B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2783866B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head includes a liquid ejecting head main body that has a nozzle group that is formed by arranging a plurality of nozzles, which eject a liquid, in parallel, and that ejects a liquid from each nozzle, and a fixation member to which the liquid ejecting head main body is fixed. The fixation member has a fixation part to which the liquid ejecting head main body is fixed and a reference surface that is formed on a side opposite fixation part, and which includes a reference part serving as reference for a positioning the liquid ejecting head main body with respect to an installation target, and a position adjusting part adjusting the relative position between the reference surface and the nozzle group is provided between the liquid ejecting head main body and the fixation part.