Printing Head Base Fixation to Prevent Warpage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face the risk of deformation, particularly warpage, in the head unit due to structural issues, which can lead to deviations in ink droplet landing positions and degraded printing quality.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus design that includes a head unit base supported by a first and second head unit base holding unit, fixed using first and second fixation members, allowing the head unit base to be sandwiched between these members, thereby stabilizing the head unit base and preventing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the head unit base is fixed using a conventional single-point fixation method, then the structure is simple, but deformation and warpage occur due to thermal stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead unit base stabilityVSAvoidfixation structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation structure is segmented into multiple independent fixation points (first and second fixation members positioned at different locations). This distributes thermal stress across multiple points rather than concentrating it at a single point, preventing warpage while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple fixation members are combined to work together as an integrated system. The first and second fixation members, along with their respective holding units, function collectively to provide both stability and deformation prevention, balancing simplicity with effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If the head unit base is firmly fixed to prevent deformation, then printing precision is maintained, but thermal stress concentration may cause warpage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink droplet landing position precisionVSAvoidhead unit base structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the head unit base are fixed with different characteristics. The first and second fixation members are positioned at specific locations to provide localized support where needed, allowing other regions to accommodate thermal expansion without generating excessive stress, thus preventing warpage while maintaining printing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the head unit base is allowed to move freely to accommodate thermal expansion, then warpage is reduced, but ink droplet landing position accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead unit base dimensional stabilityVSAvoidink droplet landing position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The head unit base is pre-positioned and fixed at optimal locations before thermal stress occurs. The first and second fixation members are installed in advance to establish correct positioning, preventing both excessive movement and warpage during operation, thereby maintaining ink droplet landing position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250229526A1Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes a head unit base holding unit including a first head unit base holding unit that holds one end of the head unit base, and a second head unit base holding unit that holds the other end of the head unit base, a first fixation member configured to fix the head unit base to the first head unit base holding unit, and a second fixation member configured to fix the head unit base to the second head unit base holding unit, wherein the head unit base and the head unit base holding unit are fixed to each other by placing the head unit base on a first upper surface of the first head unit base holding unit and a second upper surface of the second head unit base holding unit and sandwiching the head unit base between the first fixation member and the second fixation member.