Staggered Inkjet Print Head Units for Multi-Material Productivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning inkjet printers are limited in their ability to print with a wide range of marking materials, particularly specialty types like white ink or varnish, due to size constraints and downtime requirements for configuration changes, which hampers productivity and versatility.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring scanning inkjet printers with multiple print head units that can simultaneously jet different marking materials, including CYMK colors, and a further print head unit that can deposit a specialty marking material type at a higher rate than individual print head units, allowing for staggered and overlapping nozzle configurations to achieve efficient multi-material printing without replacing print heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the printer is configured with a predetermined set of marking materials, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to print with specialty marking materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a print head unit where all nozzle rows can be configured to jet any marking material type. The marking material supply system is designed to supply different marking materials to the same print head unit at different times, allowing one print head unit to perform multiple functions (jetting CYMK colors, white ink, varnish, etc.) without requiring separate specialized print heads for each material type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printer is modified to print with specialty marking materials, then the adaptability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to significant downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the print head unit with all necessary nozzle rows and marking material supply connections to handle multiple marking material types. The system is prepared in advance to switch between different marking materials (CYMK, white ink, varnish) without requiring physical reconfiguration or replacement of print heads, thereby eliminating downtime and maintaining continuous productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the print head carriage size is increased to accommodate more marking material types, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the print head unit into multiple independent nozzle rows, where each nozzle row can be independently controlled to jet different marking materials. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple marking material types using the same physical print head unit, avoiding the need to increase the overall print head carriage size while maintaining the ability to print with diverse materials.
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 configuration enables high productivity and versatility by allowing the printer to handle multiple marking materials in a single pass, reducing downtime and maintaining high resolution, while enabling the use of specialty materials like white ink or varnish without significant changes to the print head setup.
Implementation Method 1
each print head unit comprises a plurality of nozzle rows provided in a common nozzle surface... each nozzle row is in fluid communication to a respective marking material supply reservoir for supplying a predetermined marking material type to said nozzle row
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5A
AI summary
A scanning inkjet printer with a staggered configuration of print head units on its carriage is provided. The print head units are structurally similar and comprise multiple nozzle rows. Each nozzle row is provided with its individual marking material supply channel for supplying a specific marking material type to said nozzle row. While a number of print head units are configured for multi-color printing, the marking material supply channels of at least one print head unit are connected to the same marking material supply reservoir, resulting in a mono-color print head. This allows for the parallel deposition of both colors and e.g. white ink in a single pass of the carriage. Productivity and the application range of the printer may thus be extended.