Modular Recording Head Units for Inkjet Carriage Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in inkjet recording apparatuses is the difficulty in increasing the number of recording heads on a carriage for faster image recording on large-width media, which complicates the attachment, detachment, and adjustment processes, especially in a narrow space, making it time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a modular system where multiple recording heads for the same color are integrated into units that can be easily attached and detached from the carriage, featuring a positioning mechanism that allows for precise adjustment and mounting, reducing the need for individual adjustments and minimizing the space required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of recording heads is increased to improve recording speed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The recording heads are divided into modular units, each containing a specific number of recording heads (e.g., 4 heads per unit). These modular units can be independently attached and detached from the carriage, allowing the system to scale recording capacity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. The carriage is designed with corresponding modular mounting positions that simplify the integration process.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple recording heads are combined into integrated modular units that function as cohesive components. Each modular unit includes recording heads, wiring substrates, and adjustment mechanisms pre-assembled together. This merging reduces the number of separate adjustment members needed on the carriage and simplifies the overall attachment process.
2Productivity
If the number of recording heads is increased to improve recording speed, then productivity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments recording heads into standardized modular units that can be easily handled and installed. Each modular unit is self-contained with pre-configured wiring and adjustment mechanisms, allowing operators to attach multiple recording heads to the carriage in a systematic, simplified process rather than dealing with individual complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are pre-assembled with recording heads, wiring substrates, and adjustment mechanisms configured before being installed on the carriage. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity of on-site assembly and adjustment tasks, making the attachment process more straightforward and less time-consuming.
3Productivity
If the number of recording heads is increased to improve recording speed, then productivity is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Recording heads are organized into modular units that can be pre-configured and tested independently before installation on the carriage. This segmentation allows for parallel preparation of multiple units, reducing the total time required for assembly and adjustment when increasing the number of recording heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are pre-assembled, pre-wired, and pre-adjusted before being installed on the carriage. This preliminary action ensures that when recording heads need to be added or replaced, the time-consuming adjustment tasks have already been completed during manufacturing, significantly reducing on-site installation time.
4Productivity
If the number of recording heads is increased to improve recording speed, then productivity is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides recording heads into independent modular units that can be easily detached from the carriage as complete units. This segmentation simplifies repair operations, as malfunctioning recording heads can be quickly identified and replaced by detaching the corresponding modular unit without affecting other recording heads or requiring complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Recording heads, wiring substrates, and adjustment mechanisms are merged into integrated modular units. This merging ensures that all components associated with a specific recording head are transferred together during repair, reducing the risk of connection errors and simplifying the repair process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This modular approach simplifies the attachment and adjustment of recording heads, reduces the time required for maintenance, and allows for more heads to be mounted without increasing the carriage width, improving usability and achieving high precision in image formation.
Implementation Method 1
employ a UV-curable ink containing a light initiator having a certain sensitivity to UV-light, and emit UV-light to ink having landed on a recording medium so that the ink is cured and fixed on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.