Blade Unit Negative Pressure Cleaning for Inkjet Heads

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cleaning devices for liquid ejection heads face challenges in machining ease and increased manufacturing costs due to the requirement of forming suction channels in the base, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning device with a blade unit where the first and second blades define an inner space that can be kept at negative pressure, allowing for sliding contact with the ejection surface to wipe and suction ink, improving machining ease and reducing costs by eliminating the need for a suction channel in the base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a suction channel is formed in the base of the cleaning device, then ink can be suctioned and wiped from the ejection surface, but machining becomes difficult and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection performanceVSAvoidmachining ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into a base and a separate cleaning member assembly. The suction channel function is transferred from the base to the cleaning member, which can be easily detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the base to be simple and easy to machine, while the cleaning member contains the suction channel structure that can be manufactured separately and attached to the base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction channel structure is extracted from the base and integrated into the cleaning member instead. This extraction eliminates the need to machine complex suction channels in the base, simplifying base manufacturing. The cleaning member with the integrated suction channel can be manufactured as a separate component and attached to the base, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a suction channel is formed in the base, then waste ink can be suctioned and excluded, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste ink removalVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning member with the suction channel is designed as a replaceable, cost-effective component. Instead of incorporating expensive suction channels into the base structure, the cleaning member can be manufactured more simply and replaced when worn or contaminated, providing an economical solution for waste ink removal functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the cleaning member remains in contact with the ejection surface during non-wiping periods, then continuous cleaning is maintained, but foreign substances may enter and contaminate the cleaning member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidforeign substance contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning member is designed to be movable between a cleaning position where it contacts the ejection surface and a retracted position where it is separated. This dynamic positioning allows the cleaning member to be moved away from the ejection surface when cleaning is not needed, preventing foreign substances from entering and contaminating the cleaning member while maintaining cleaning effectiveness when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning member is designed as a separate, detachable component that can be easily removed and replaced. This extraction from the fixed base structure allows the cleaning member to be taken out when not in use, preventing contamination from foreign substances while maintaining continuous cleaning capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effectively removes ink from the ejection surface, maintains ejection performance, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by allowing the blades to open and close the inner space for cleaning and maintenance, preventing foreign substances from entering during non-wiping periods.

Implementation Method 1

by bringing the first blade and the second blade into sliding contact with the ejection surface in a state in which the inner space defined by the first blade and the second blade is kept at a negative pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3231613B1Cleaning device of liquid ejection head and liquid ejection device

Publication Date: 2019.12.04 SII PRINTEK INC

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AI summary

A cleaning device includes a blade unit configured to move relative to an ink jet head and to wipe an ejection surface of the ink jet head. The blade unit includes a first blade and a second blade that are arranged in a moving direction of the blade unit and formed into flexible plate shapes and a blower that makes an inner space, which is defined by the first blade and the second blade, into a negative pressure.