Multi-Head Cap Positioning for Accurate Liquid Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejecting apparatuses with multiple heads arranged at different positions in a second direction intersecting with a first direction, the liquid discharge from these heads is not appropriately received due to misalignment or positioning issues.
Innovation Solution
A mover is configured to move a cap along a second direction intersecting with the first direction to position the cap at specific locations to receive liquid discharge from each head, ensuring appropriate reception by incorporating a first and second head arrangement with the mover positioning the cap at different positions in the second direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple heads are arranged at different positions in the second direction, then the coverage area is improved, but the liquid reception accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is made movable in the second direction through the mover mechanism, transitioning from a static to a dynamic structure. This allows the cap to adjust its position dynamically to match the locations of different heads, enabling accurate liquid reception from heads positioned at various locations in the second direction while maintaining broad coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds movement capability in the second direction (intersecting with the first direction) to the cap positioning system. By incorporating motion along the second direction, the cap can align with heads positioned at different locations in this dimension, resolving the contradiction between wide coverage and precise liquid reception.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cap is made movable in the second direction, then the liquid reception accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mover mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the cap to receive liquid from different heads located at various positions in the second direction, and it enables the cap to move between these positions. This multi-functional design achieves accurate liquid reception without requiring separate positioning mechanisms for each head location, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes multiple heads configured to eject a liquid onto a medium, carriage configured to incorporate the multiple heads and move the multiple heads along a first direction, a cap configured to receive the liquid discharged from the multiple heads, and a mover configured to move the cap along a second direction that intersects with the first direction in a plan view. The multiple heads include a first head, and a second head arranged with respect to the first head in the first direction and provided at a position different from the first head in a second direction. The mover is configured to position the cap at a first position to cause the cap to receive the liquid discharged from the first head, and position the cap at a second position different from the first position in the second direction to cause the cap to receive the liquid discharged from the second head.