Retroreflection Surface for Inkjet Nozzle Light Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face discharge failure issues due to photocurable ink adhering to nozzles, caused by light reflection from the recording medium and light irradiation unit, which leads to premature curing of ink and reduced printing stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a retroreflection surface or shielding portion in the light arrival region to redirect and absorb light, reducing the amount of curing light that reaches the nozzle formation surface, thereby preventing ink curing and maintaining nozzle functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the light irradiation unit emits light to cure photocurable ink on the recording medium, then the curing effect is improved, but light reflects back to the nozzle formation surface causing ink curing and discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
A light shielding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the light irradiation unit and the nozzle formation surface. This member selectively blocks reflected light from reaching the nozzles while allowing the light curing process to proceed on the recording medium, thus resolving the contradiction between effective curing and preventing nozzle ink curing
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful reflected light is extracted or separated from the overall light path by positioning the light shielding member to intercept only the reflected portion. This allows the primary curing function to continue while removing the harmful secondary effect of light reflection on the nozzles
2Manufacturing precision
If the recording head is arranged close to the recording medium to improve printing quality, then resolution is improved, but reflected light reaches the nozzle formation surface causing discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding member serves as a mediator that enables close positioning of the recording head to the recording medium for high resolution printing, while simultaneously blocking the harmful reflected light path to the nozzles, thus resolving the contradiction between printing quality and discharge stability
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
The solution effectively reduces discharge failure and enhances printing stability by minimizing light exposure on the nozzles, improving the overall performance and reducing maintenance needs of the recording apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflection surface is provided on at least a part of a light arrival region at which the light emitted from the light irradiation unit arrives... An angle of reflection of light reflected by the retroreflection surface is equal to the angle of incidence of light that is incident on the retroreflection surface
Implementation Method 2
a light absorbing surface which absorbs the light be provided on at least a part of a surface opposing the head in the interposed region
Implementation Method 3
a shielding portion which reduces the light directing toward the nozzle formation surface be provided in the light arrival region
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a light irradiation unit configured to emit light for curing photocurable ink to a recording medium, and a head having a nozzle formation surface in which nozzles for discharging the photocurable ink onto the recording medium are formed. A retroreflection surface is provided on at least a part of a light arrival region at which the light emitted from the light irradiation unit arrives.