Bi-directional Printhead Wiper for Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed pagewidth inkjet printers face challenges in effectively removing paper dust and contaminants from the nozzle face due to their complex ink distribution systems and high print speeds, which can lead to contaminants anchoring to surface irregularities, making it difficult for traditional wipers to dislodge them without damaging the delicate nozzle structures.
Innovation Solution
A printhead maintenance facility with a wiper member and a maintenance drive that allows for directional movement across the nozzle face, including rotation and independent actuation, to effectively dislodge contaminants by varying the wiping direction and force, utilizing a wiper member with resilient blades and an absorbent pad for cleaning, and a doctor blade to remove contaminants from the wiper blades.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional wiper is used to clean the nozzle face, then the cleaning action is simple, but the wiper cannot effectively remove firmly adhered contaminants without damaging the delicate nozzle structures
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper member is configured to perform multi-directional movement including reciprocating motion along the media feed direction and rotational motion about a transverse axis. This dynamic, multi-axis movement allows the wiper to approach contaminants from different angles and apply varying contact forces, effectively dislodging firmly adhered particles without concentrating excessive force on any single point of the delicate nozzle structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a rotational dimension to the traditional linear wiping motion. By enabling the wiper member to rotate about an axis extending transverse to the media feed direction while simultaneously moving reciprocally, the system transforms a one-dimensional cleaning action into a two-dimensional scrubbing motion, significantly improving contaminant removal capability while distributing mechanical stress.
2Productivity
If high print speeds are used to increase productivity, then printing efficiency improves, but contaminants become more firmly adhered to the nozzle face making them harder to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-directional wiper movement creates a dynamic scrubbing action that intensifies the cleaning force applied to contaminants. The combination of reciprocating linear motion and rotational motion generates varying contact angles and forces throughout the wiping cycle, effectively breaking the anchor points of high-speed adhered contaminants without requiring excessive static pressure that could damage nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The reciprocating motion of the wiper member creates periodic contact and separation cycles with the nozzle face. This periodic action allows the wiper to engage contaminants multiple times during each stroke cycle, progressively dislodging firmly adhered particles through repeated mechanical disturbance rather than requiring a single high-force contact.
3Reliability
If a bi-directional wiper movement is implemented to improve contaminant removal, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but the maintenance facility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper member assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides linear reciprocating wiping motion, rotational scrubbing motion, and can be positioned at different locations along the printhead. The single integrated wiper assembly handles both cleaning and contaminant removal tasks that would otherwise require separate mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-directional movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the reciprocating drive mechanism and rotational actuation into a single integrated maintenance facility assembly. The wiper member is simultaneously coupled to both the reciprocating motion source and the rotational actuator, merging two motion generation systems into one unified structure that achieves complex multi-directional cleaning without requiring separate mechanisms.
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 enhances the ability to remove contaminants from the nozzle face without damaging the printhead, ensuring effective maintenance and prolonging the life of the printhead by using a combination of directional wiping, absorbent pads, and doctor blades to efficiently clean the wiper blades and nozzle area.
Implementation Method 1
wiping the nozzle face with a suitable surface
Implementation Method 2
contact force that would damage the delicate nozzle structures
Implementation Method 3
doctor blade to remove contaminants from the wiper blades
Data Source
AI summary
A printhead maintenance facility for an inkjet printer having a pagewidth printhead and a media path for feeding sheets of media substrate in a media feed direction wherein the pagewidth printhead has a nozzle face defining an elongate array of nozzles extending the printing width of the media substrate. The printhead maintenance facility has a wiper member for wiping the nozzle face, a chassis for supporting the wiper member and a maintenance drive for selectively moving the wiper member across the nozzle face in a first direction or a second direction.