Liquid Ejection Head Nozzle Joint Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads face challenges in reducing redundant nozzles in joint sections between head units while maintaining accurate positioning, which leads to density non-uniformities and increased complexity in replacing intermediate units.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a configuration where the total number of nozzles in joint sections between head units (N_A) is reduced, and the number of nozzles in joint sections between intermediate units (N_B) is increased, with N_A < N_B, allowing for less strict positioning accuracy and easier replacement of intermediate units, while maintaining ejection continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle density is high in the joint sections between head units, then density non-uniformities are reduced, but redundant nozzles increase and positioning accuracy requirements become stricter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the ejection control into different sections: joint sections between head units and other sections. By segmenting the control strategy, the patent applies different nozzle selection rules to different regions, reducing redundant nozzles in joint sections while maintaining density uniformity through targeted ejection control in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different ejection control strategies to different spatial locations. In joint sections, a specific nozzle selection method is applied that differs from other sections, optimizing the local nozzle usage to minimize redundancy while maintaining overall image quality and density uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the positioning accuracy of head units is increased, then redundant nozzles are reduced, but the replacement and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameters (ejection control) rather than physical parameters (positioning accuracy) to achieve the goal of reducing redundant nozzles. By adjusting which nozzles are activated in joint sections through software control, the system achieves precise nozzle management without requiring high mechanical positioning accuracy, thus maintaining ease of replacement.
3Device complexity
If the total number of nozzles N_A in joint sections between head units is reduced, then redundant nozzles decrease, but positioning accuracy requirements become stricter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements ejection control that monitors and manages nozzle usage in joint sections based on the actual overlapping configuration. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize which nozzles are activated in real-time, reducing redundant nozzles while compensating for positioning variations through intelligent selection of active nozzles in the joint sections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejection head (10, 10', 10"), comprising:a head unit (12) provided with a plurality of nozzles (20) which eject liquid; and an intermediate unit (14, 14', 14") provided with a fixing section to which a plurality of the head units are fixed, wherein the intermediate unit (14, 14', 14") is installed in such a manner that intermediate units can be replaced independently, the intermediate unit (14, 14', 14") has a structure in which portions of the nozzles of two head units that are mutually adjacent in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to a first direction (X) are mutually overlapped in the first direction, and positions of two head units that are mutually adjacent in the second direction are not overlapped in the second direction, and in a joint section (13, 13A, 13B) where portions of nozzles of head units that are mutually adjacent in the second direction are overlapped, a relationship between a total number of nozzles NA included in a joint section between the head units belonging to a same intermediate unit and a total number of nozzles NB included in a joint section (13, 13A, 13B) between the intermediate units satisfies : NA<NB