Absorbent Member Rotation for Ink Squeezing in Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The absorbency of ink in an absorbent member of a liquid ejecting apparatus declines when it contains large quantities of ink, making it difficult to effectively squeeze the ink using a contact member, which also hinders the movement and rotation of the absorbent member.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a drive source that moves and rotates the absorbent member, allowing a contact member to effectively squeeze the ink by changing the rotation phase of a cam to control the movement direction and engage with a gear system to facilitate ink absorption and expulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the absorbent member contains large quantities of absorbed ink, then the ink absorption capacity increases, but the absorbency of subsequent ink declines
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent member undergoes periodic rotation to bring different portions into contact with the contact member for ink squeezing. This periodic action allows the system to alternate between absorption phases and squeezing phases, maintaining absorbency by regularly expelling accumulated ink without interrupting the overall absorption capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards absorbed ink from the absorbent member through contact with the contact member during rotation. By periodically removing the absorbed ink, the absorbent member recovers its absorption capacity, allowing it to continue absorbing ink effectively over extended operation periods
2Productivity
If a contact member is introduced to squeeze ink from the absorbent member, then ink expulsion capability improves, but the absorbent member becomes harder to drive and rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member is designed with dynamic characteristics, rotating along with the absorbent member rather than being a fixed stationary component. This dynamic configuration reduces friction and mechanical resistance, making the rotation smoother while still enabling effective ink squeezing through the contact between the rotating surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The contact member is integrated with the rotation mechanism of the absorbent member, sharing the same rotational motion. This merging of functions allows the contact member to perform ink squeezing while rotating together with the absorbent member, eliminating the need for separate drive mechanisms and reducing overall mechanical complexity
3Measurement precision
If separate motors are used to move and rotate the absorbent member, then control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive source is designed to perform multiple functions: it simultaneously drives the linear movement of the absorbent member and its rotational motion. This multi-functional drive mechanism eliminates the need for separate motors, reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronized control through a unified drive system
Solution Approach 2:
The drive source incorporates a cam mechanism that segments the motion control into distinct phases within a single rotation cycle. The cam profile is designed to provide different motion characteristics at different points in the rotation, enabling precise control of both linear and rotational movements without requiring multiple independent motors
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 allows for effective ink management by preventing absorbency decline, enabling the absorbent member to move and rotate with a single drive source, reducing the need for separate motors and maintaining ink absorption efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent member (40) having an outer surface of a cylindrical surface shape capable of absorbing the liquid attached to the nozzle forming surface
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent member effectively absorbs ink attached to the nozzle forming surface
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a recording head having a nozzle forming surface formed with nozzles adapted to eject liquid; a wiper having an outer surface of a cylindrical surface shape capable of absorbing the ink attached to the nozzle forming surface; a motor that is driven, when moving the wiper in a direction in which the outer surface reaches the nozzle forming surface and in a direction in which the outer surface is separated from the nozzle forming surface, and is also driven when rotating the wiper; and a contact member coming into contact with the outer surface of the wiper rotated along with driving of the motor.