Cap Unit Cleaning Liquid Supply and Drainage Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharge apparatuses with absorbent members, the absorbent members become dirty during use, requiring cleaning, which can be time-consuming and affect operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a cap unit that includes an absorbent member, a flow path forming member, a cap, a support plate, and a holder, where the cleaning liquid is supplied from a higher position to facilitate efficient absorption and quick permeation into the absorbent member, and the cleaning liquid is discharged efficiently through a separate outlet port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the absorbent member is cleaned by supplying cleaning liquid, then the absorbent member can be cleaned, but it takes time which affects operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into multiple caps (first cap and second cap) that can be independently removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows parallel cleaning operations and reduces overall cleaning time while maintaining thorough cleaning effectiveness for each cap section.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed with cleaning liquid supply ports and discharge ports positioned to enable immediate and efficient cleaning when cleaning liquid is supplied. The structure pre-positiones flow paths and drainage channels to facilitate rapid cleaning operation, reducing the time required while ensuring effective contamination removal.
2Productivity
If the absorbent member is cleaned quickly, then operational efficiency is improved, but cleaning effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cap into multiple independently cleanable sections, each section can be quickly cleaned with sufficient cleaning liquid flow. The segmentation allows cleaning liquid to focus on smaller areas more effectively, maintaining cleaning quality while reducing total cleaning time and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder structure pre-configures cleaning liquid supply and discharge paths to ensure optimal cleaning liquid distribution and rapid drainage. This preliminary structural arrangement enables efficient cleaning that is both quick and effective, balancing productivity improvement with reliable cleaning results.
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
The apparatus enables quick and efficient cleaning of the absorbent member, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency by facilitating rapid permeation and discharge of the cleaning liquid.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning liquid is supplied from a higher position to facilitate efficient absorption and quick permeation into the absorbent member
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus (2) includes a cap (20) configured to cap a discharge port surface of a discharge head (14) that discharges a liquid, an absorbent member (21) provided in the cap so as to face the discharge port surface, supply means (81) for supplying the liquid to the absorbent member via a supply port (SP) provided in the cap, and discharge means (83) for discharging the liquid absorbed in the absorbent member via an outlet port (EP) provided in the cap. The supply port (SP) is provided at a position higher than the outlet port (EP). The supply port (SP) is provided at a position equal to or higher than a surface of the absorbent member (21) in a thickness direction of the absorbent member.