Liquid Ejecting Head Wiping Surface Gap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses require complex assembly processes and additional components to prevent liquid splashing, leading to increased costs and potential inefficiencies in inkjet printing systems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a first liquid ejecting head with a wiping surface that protrudes beyond an imaginary line, overlapping a gap between it and a second liquid ejecting head, preventing the wiping member from being inserted and thus suppressing ink splashing without the need for spacers or additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spacers are embedded in the gaps between liquid ejecting heads to prevent liquid splashing, then liquid splashing is suppressed, but the assembly process becomes complicated and additional components are required leading to cost rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gap-blocking function with the liquid ejecting head structure itself. The rear surface of the liquid ejecting head is designed to extend into the gap between adjacent heads, eliminating the need for separate spacer components. This integration maintains liquid splashing suppression while simplifying the overall structure and assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the spacer component from the system entirely. Instead of using separate embedded spacers, the gap-blocking function is achieved through the modified geometry of the liquid ejecting head's rear surface, which naturally extends into the gap space between adjacent heads.
2Reliability
If spacers are embedded in the gaps between liquid ejecting heads to prevent liquid splashing, then liquid splashing is suppressed, but additional components are required leading to cost rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gap-blocking function into the liquid ejecting head structure itself. By designing the rear surface to extend into the gap, the invention eliminates the need for separate spacer components, thereby reducing part count and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective liquid splashing suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates expensive additional components (spacers) by using the existing liquid ejecting head structure to perform the gap-blocking function. This approach reduces material costs and assembly costs associated with additional parts.
3Reliability
If multiple components including spacers are used in the head unit, then liquid splashing is prevented, but the number of components increases leading to more complex assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gap-blocking function with the liquid ejecting head structure. The rear surface of each head is designed to extend into the gap between adjacent heads, combining two functions (liquid ejection and gap blocking) into a single component, thereby reducing the total number of parts and simplifying assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ejecting head is designed to perform multiple functions: it ejects liquid through its nozzles and simultaneously blocks gaps between adjacent heads by extending its rear surface into the gap space. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated spacer components.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a first liquid ejecting head having a first wiping surface oriented in a first direction; a second liquid ejecting head disposed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with respect to the first liquid ejecting head and having a second wiping surface; and a wiping member. A third direction is orthogonal to the first and second directions; a fourth direction is vertical to the first direction and intersects the second and third directions. The first and second liquid ejecting heads are arranged with a gap between the first and second wiping surfaces. The gap includes a first gap extending in the fourth direction. The first wiping surface has a first region that protrudes toward the second liquid ejecting head beyond an imaginary line extending in the fourth direction so as to overlap the first gap.