Nozzle Array Positioning via Eccentric Cam Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet recording devices, face challenges in achieving highly accurate positioning of nozzle arrays and ejecting heads due to mechanical tolerances and deviations, leading to suboptimal printing quality, particularly in the Y direction where electrical corrections are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs eccentric cam members with varying cam faces and a polygonal projection system to adjust the position and tilt of nozzle arrays, allowing for precise alignment and positioning by physically contacting a reference surface, enabling accurate mechanical ejection of ink droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple inkjet heads are mounted on an identical carriage, then color printing capability is improved, but positioning accuracy of nozzles deteriorates due to mechanical tolerance and attaching tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
A positioning member with a cam surface is introduced as an intermediary between the inkjet head and the carriage. The cam surface provides a mechanical interface that compensates for manufacturing tolerances, enabling both multi-color printing capability and accurate nozzle positioning without requiring extremely precise assembly of multiple heads
2Manufacturing precision
If a head position adjustment mechanism is added, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member integrates a cam surface that automatically compensates for positioning errors during the head replacement process. The spring mechanism provides self-adjusting force to maintain contact between the cam surface and the positioning member, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment mechanisms while achieving high positioning accuracy
3Manufacturing precision
If test printing and sensor reading are used for adjustment, then positioning accuracy is improved, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surface is pre-designed with specific geometric profiles that encode the correct positioning geometry. During head replacement, the spring automatically pushes the positioning member against the cam surface, which pre-determines the correct head position through mechanical geometry rather than requiring post-installation test printing and sensor-based adjustments
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 solution enables highly accurate positioning of nozzle arrays and ejecting heads, ensuring high-quality printing by allowing for precise mechanical adjustments of both tilt and absolute position, thereby improving printing accuracy and maintaining recording quality.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, operable to push the ejecting head in the array direction of the nozzle arrays
Implementation Method 2
one correction member with a cam face that is brought into contact with the reference surface, the other correction member with a cam face that is brought into contact with the reference surface
Data Source
AI summary
A head unit is configured to be attached to a base and includes: a nozzle array group including a plurality of nozzle arrays each of which is defined by a plurality of nozzles that are arranged in a first direction and which are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and two correctors configured to adjust an angle of the plurality of nozzle arrays with respect to the base, one of the correctors disposed outside of the nozzle array group in the second direction.