Cap Member Groove Design for Inkjet Nozzle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ink jet printing apparatuses, the cap member's absorbing mechanism often causes ink to be attached to the nozzle area, leading to maintenance issues and potential clogging.
Innovation Solution
A cap member design with a groove portion along the inner surface of the frame, positioned lower than the absorbing member, prevents fluid from reaching the nozzle area, and an aperture for suction ensures fluid is stored within the groove, preventing attachment to the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the absorbing member is arranged over the entire surface of the frame portion, then the fluid absorbing capability is improved, but the fluid may run through the absorbing member and attach to the nozzle area
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member body is divided into distinct functional zones: a groove portion for collecting and storing fluid, and a separate absorbing member positioned away from the nozzle area. This segmentation prevents fluid from reaching the nozzle while maintaining effective fluid absorption and storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove portion acts as an intermediary structure between the fluid source and the absorbing member. It collects fluid first, then allows the absorbing member to absorb fluid from the groove, preventing direct contact between fluid and the nozzle area while maintaining the fluid management function.
2Productivity
If the absorbing member is positioned close to the frame portion, then the fluid absorption efficiency is improved, but the risk of fluid attaching to the nozzle area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member body is divided into distinct functional zones: a groove portion for collecting and storing fluid, and a separate absorbing member positioned away from the nozzle area. This segmentation prevents fluid from reaching the nozzle while maintaining effective fluid absorption and storage capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbing member is positioned at a distance from the frame portion in the plan view direction, creating a spatial separation that prevents fluid from reaching the nozzle area while maintaining absorption efficiency through the groove-mediated fluid transfer.
3Reliability
If the cap member covers the nozzle area completely, then the protection from drying is improved, but the fluid may attach to the nozzle area through the frame portion
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member provides different local functions: the groove portion collects and stores fluid, the absorbing member absorbs fluid at a distance from the nozzle, and the frame portion contacts the ejecting head. This local differentiation allows complete nozzle coverage for protection while preventing fluid attachment to the nozzle area through strategic positioning of the absorbing member and groove.
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
Effectively prevents fluid from attaching to the nozzle area, reducing maintenance burdens and ensuring reliable operation of the ink jet printing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the height of the groove portion from the bottom portion is lower than the upper surface of the absorbing member over the entire circumference of the frame portion. Since the inner peripheral portion extending along the inner surface of the frame portion of the cap member body having the bottom portion and the frame portion is the groove portion, the fluid is stored in the groove portion.
Implementation Method 2
an absorbing member being fixed to the bottom portion for absorbing the fluid
Implementation Method 3
the bottom portion is provided with an aperture for sucking at a position corresponding to the groove portion. Since the bottom portion of the cap member body is provided with the aperture for sucking at the position corresponding to the groove portion, the fluid in the cap member body is sucked the groove portion by being sucked.
Data Source
AI summary
A cap member according to a first aspect of the invention is a cap member that covers a nozzle area of an ejecting head having a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting fluid. The cap member includes a cap member body having a bottom portion and a frame portion and an absorbing member being fixed to the bottom portion for absorbing the fluid. The bottom portion is arranged so as to oppose the nozzle area, and the frame portion is provided on a peripheral edge of the bottom portion and coming into contact with the ejecting head. An inner peripheral portion extending along the inner surface of the frame portion is a groove portion, and the height of the groove portion from the bottom portion is lower than the upper surface of the absorbing member over the entire circumference of the frame portion.