Printhead Angle Adjustment for Variable Print Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printheads have insufficient nozzle density, limiting print resolution in single-pass printing, necessitating the development of designs and orientations that enhance print resolution without requiring multiple printheads or complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The design includes printheads with rows of nozzles spaced at specific distances and angles, allowing the same printhead to be mounted at different orientations within a jetting apparatus to achieve varying resolutions, utilizing attachment members to adjust the angle between the printhead and the medium, such as perpendicular, 36-38 degrees, or 52-54 degrees, to increase print resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the printhead is mounted perpendicular to the direction of relative movement, then the printhead structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the print resolution is limited to lower resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead mounting system incorporates adjustable attachment members that enable dynamic reconfiguration of the printhead angle relative to the medium. The attachment members can be positioned at different angles (perpendicular for lower resolution, or at specific angles like 36-38 degrees or 52-54 degrees for higher resolution), allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on the desired print resolution without requiring multiple fixed mounting mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple printheads are used to achieve higher resolution, then the print resolution increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single printhead design serves multiple functions by enabling printing at different resolutions through angle adjustment. The same printhead can be mounted perpendicular to the medium for lower resolution printing or at specific angles (36-38 degrees or 52-54 degrees) for higher resolution printing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized printheads, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining the capability to achieve various print resolutions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle density is increased to achieve higher resolution, then the print resolution improves, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical parameters of the printhead (such as increasing nozzle density), the invention changes the operational parameter - the mounting angle of the printhead. By adjusting the angle at which the existing printhead is mounted relative to the medium, the system achieves higher effective resolution without modifying the printhead's manufacturing specifications. This approach maintains ease of manufacture while achieving the desired resolution improvement.
Data Source
AI summary
Printheads for a jetting apparatus that may be oriented at different angles to print at different resolutions. In one embodiment, a printhead has a nozzle plate with nozzles arranged in rows that are parallel, and attachment members. The nozzles in each of the rows are spaced by a nozzle distance, and the rows of nozzles are spaced at a distance of ¾n times the nozzle distance. The attachment members may orient the printhead at an angle that is perpendicular to a direction of relative movement between the printhead and a print medium to print at a one resolution, and may orient the printhead at another angle (in a range of 36 and 38 degrees) to the direction of relative movement between the printhead and the print medium to print at a higher resolution.