Cam-Driven Functional Member Switching in Liquid Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in maintaining the liquid ejecting head with multiple functional members while minimizing the apparatus's size, as existing designs often require larger maintenance regions and complex mechanisms to accommodate rotating components or moving parts.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a moving body that supports multiple functional members, including a wiper unit, cap unit, and support unit, which engage with a cam mechanism to switch functions along the nozzle forming surface, allowing for sequential and independent operation of these members without increasing the apparatus's size, using a cam with distinct surfaces for approaching and separating movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a support member body is rotated to switch functional members, then functional member switching is achieved, but the apparatus size increases due to the required radius of rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member body is divided into multiple independent functional members (support member, cap, ink absorption material) that can be independently positioned along the transportation path. Each functional member operates independently without requiring rotation of the entire support structure, thereby reducing the apparatus size while maintaining switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of switching functional members by rotation in a circular path (requiring large radius), the invention positions functional members linearly along the paper transportation path. This dimensional change from circular to linear arrangement allows functional member switching without increasing apparatus width, accommodating the paper width constraint.
2Ease of operation
If the line head is moved to abut the cap, then maintenance function is achieved, but the apparatus size increases due to the required movement region width
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the line head to reach the cap for maintenance, the invention moves the cap (and other functional members) to the line head position along the paper transportation path. This inversion of the maintenance mechanism allows the cap to contact the line head without requiring a wide movement region, as the functional members are transported along the paper path rather than requiring lateral movement space.
3Device complexity
If multiple functional members are disposed side by side on a cylindrical support member, then functional member integration is achieved, but the apparatus size increases due to the support member body rotation requirement
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional members are segmented and positioned independently along the paper transportation path rather than being integrated on a rotating cylindrical body. This segmentation allows each functional member to be independently controlled and positioned without requiring the entire support structure to rotate, reducing the apparatus size while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member body is designed to support multiple different types of functional members (support member, cap, ink absorption material) that can be positioned along the transportation path. This universal support structure allows functional member switching without requiring rotation, as the diverse functional members are accommodated linearly along the paper path.
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
Enables efficient switching of functional members while maintaining the liquid ejecting head without enlarging the apparatus, allowing for reduced interference and improved design flexibility, and effectively prevents ink degradation by using a wiper cleaner to remove ink from the wiper unit.
Implementation Method 1
a cam which is disposed on a moving path of the moving body and engages with at least two of the plurality of functional members, individually, supported on the moving body while the moving body moves in the direction along the nozzle forming surface, and makes the functional members to be displaced in the direction approaching and separating from the nozzle forming surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a recording head ejecting ink onto a paper; a tray which moves in a direction along a nozzle forming surface in a state where a plurality of units are displaceably supported in a direction approaching and separating from the nozzle forming surface of the recording head; and a cam which is disposed on a moving path of the tray and engages individually with at least two units while the tray moves in a direction along the nozzle forming surface, and makes the units engage individually to be displaced in the direction approaching and separating from the nozzle forming surface.