Absorbent Mask for Printhead Cleaning in Page-Wide Array Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Page-wide array printers face issues with nozzle clogging due to ink drying when not in use, especially in areas with white space, leading to reduced print head efficiency and potential blockages.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning mask or tape system is integrated into the printer, allowing print heads to spit ink onto an absorbent mask while misaligned with the substrate, maintaining nozzle moisture and health without disrupting printing operations, and can be used during printing to service less frequently used nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If print heads are moved to a cleaning station in conventional scanning printers, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning station complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cleaning function from a separate cleaning station and integrates it directly into the printing mechanism. The mask is positioned within the printing area and moved with the print heads, eliminating the need for a separate cleaning station and its associated complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is merged with the printing function by using the same mask for both purposes. The mask serves as both a printing guide and a cleaning medium, combining two functions into one component to reduce overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If print heads are moved to a cleaning station, then ink drying is prevented, but printing time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle moisture maintenanceVSAvoidprinting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mask moves continuously with the print heads during the printing process, allowing ink to be deposited on the mask continuously. This eliminates interruptions in the printing process that would occur if print heads were stopped for cleaning, maintaining continuous useful action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The mask is positioned and ready before the print heads arrive at the printing area. The mask is pre-aligned and prepared to receive ink immediately when the print heads are in the correct position, eliminating waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a cleaning station is implemented, then print head maintenance is improved, but printer footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint head maintenanceVSAvoidprinter footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mask moves in the same dimension as the print heads (along the printing direction), rather than requiring a separate cleaning station in a different spatial location. This dimensional integration allows maintenance to occur within the existing printing footprint without expanding the overall printer area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If mask moves with print heads, then cleaning is performed continuously, but mask wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle healthVSAvoidmask service life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is designed as a consumable component that is periodically replaced. The system accommodates mask replacement without interrupting the printing process, allowing continuous operation with fresh masks while managing the wear limitation through planned replacement cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution effectively prevents nozzle clogging, maintains print head health, and enhances printing efficiency by allowing for continuous operation without the need to move large print head arrays, reducing printer complexity and cost while maintaining image quality.

Implementation Method 1

A cleaning mask or tape system is integrated into the printer, allowing print heads to spit ink onto an absorbent mask

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS7866788B2Printers and printhead cleaning primarily in page-wide array printers

Publication Date: 2011.01.11 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A method of printing on a substrate and a printer are provided. The method uses a printer comprising a print head and a mask having a hole therethrough, the mask being disposed between the print head and the substrate, and comprises aligning the hole with the print head; printing on the substrate through the hole; and misaligning the hole with the print head so that the print head is covered by the mask. The method may allow the servicing of a print head in the array while the printer is printing on the substrate using at least one of the remainder of the print heads in the array.