Cap Suction Mechanism for Bubble-Free Nozzle Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
During maintenance of liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as printers, bubbles can form in the cap due to liquid remaining in the suction flow path, potentially adhering to the nozzle and affecting the quality of the liquid discharged, as the cap moves relative to the liquid ejecting head.
Innovation Solution
A control method where the suction mechanism actively sucks the inside of the cap during its movement from the retreated position to the closed space forming position, preventing bubble formation and ensuring the cap is bubble-free when contacting the nozzle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cap is moved from the retreated position to the closed space forming position, then the capping operation can be completed, but bubbles may form in the cap due to liquid remaining in the tube and return to the cap, causing bubbles to adhere to the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism performs suction in advance during the cap's movement from the retreated position to the closed space forming position, removing liquid from the cap before the cap contacts the nozzle. This preliminary action prevents bubbles from forming and adhering to the nozzle, ensuring liquid discharge quality while maintaining efficient capping operations.
2Productivity
If the cap is moved quickly to complete maintenance operations, then productivity is improved, but liquid remaining in the tube may return to the cap due to tube deformation or water head change, generating bubbles
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism operates continuously during the cap's movement from the retreated position to the closed space forming position, maintaining negative pressure in the cap throughout the movement. This continuous suction action prevents liquid from returning to the cap even during quick movements, eliminating bubble formation while maintaining high productivity.
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 method reduces the likelihood of bubbles contacting the nozzle, thereby maintaining the quality of the liquid discharged and preventing deterioration, allowing for quicker and more efficient capping operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suction mechanism configured to suck an inside of the cap... performing suction of the inside of the cap by the suction mechanism during movement of the cap from the retreated position to the closed space forming position
Data Source
AI summary
A control method of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, a cap configured to form a closed space where the nozzle is open, the cap being configured to move between a closed space forming position at which the cap forms the closed space and a retreated position at which the cap is farther from the liquid ejecting head than at the closed space forming position, and a suction mechanism configured to suck an inside of the cap, the method including: performing suction of the inside of the cap by the suction mechanism during the movement of the cap from the retreated position to the closed space forming position.