Recording Head Positioning Mechanism for Precise Color Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the position and discharge angle of recording heads to ensure precise color alignment and image quality, particularly in inkjet printers where multiple color heads need to be aligned correctly to avoid misalignment and color shifts.

Innovation Solution

A recording-head position adjustment mechanism that includes a supporting member with adjustable positioners and spacers to precisely align recording heads in the longitudinal direction, combined with discharge angle adjusters to ensure accurate droplet direction and head positioning, allowing for efficient installation and replacement of recording heads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the recording head position is not adjusted in the longitudinal direction, then the structure remains simple, but the image alignment accuracy deteriorates causing color shifts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording head position accuracyVSAvoidposition adjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The position adjustment mechanism is segmented into modular components: a supporting member with multiple positioners, each positioner having an adjustable position in the longitudinal direction. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different recording heads without complicating the overall structure, as each module can be adjusted separately to achieve precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioners are pre-configured on the supporting member with adjustable positions in the longitudinal direction before the recording head is installed. This preliminary preparation allows for precise position setting to be established in advance, ensuring accurate recording head positioning without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the recording head position is adjusted using a fixed supporting member, then the structure is simple, but the position adjustability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsupporting member structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting member incorporates positioners with adjustable positions in the longitudinal direction, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the supporting member to adapt to different positioning requirements while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized adjustable components rather than complex custom mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The positioners on the supporting member can change their position parameter in the longitudinal direction to accommodate different recording head positioning needs. This parameter adjustability provides versatility without requiring a completely different supporting member structure for each positioning scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the recording head position is not precisely adjusted, then the adjustment mechanism remains simple, but the image quality deteriorates due to misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelongitudinal position precisionVSAvoidposition adjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into multiple independent positioners on the supporting member, each capable of precise longitudinal adjustment. This segmentation allows operators to adjust each recording head position independently using simple, standardized components, making precise positioning accessible and easy to operate without requiring complex adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12623474B2Recording-head position adjustment mechanism, recording-head module, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A recording-head position adjustment mechanism includes a supporting member supporting a recording head that discharges a liquid droplet, the recording head including an abutting portion. The recording-head position adjustment mechanism includes a positioner on which the abutting portion abuts, the positioner to which the abutting portion is fixed so as to determine a position of the recording head in a longitudinal direction of the recording head with respect to the supporting member. A position of the positioner in the longitudinal direction with respect to the supporting member is adjustable.