Capping Mechanism Lip Restraint for Hermetic Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high hermeticity during the capping state due to manufacturing errors and elastic diaphragm deformation, leading to reduced contact force and increased apparatus size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a capping mechanism that includes a surrounding member with elasticity, a diaphragm, a guide, a holder, and a moving mechanism to achieve hermetic sealing by restraining outward deformation of the lip using a guide and rod members, ensuring consistent contact and hermeticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the diaphragm is formed to have a length slightly longer than the linear distance between the outer peripheral end and the inner peripheral end to accommodate manufacturing errors, then the hermeticity is improved, but the side plate deforms outwardly and the contact state of the elastic member with the conveyor belt becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the capping member, specifically making the side plate longer in the contact direction and positioning the elastic member at the lower end portion. This parameter adjustment allows the side plate to maintain stability while the elastic member provides consistent contact force, resolving the contradiction between hermeticity and contact state consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating the elastic properties specifically at the lower end portion of the side plate where the elastic member is positioned. This localized elasticity ensures consistent contact with the conveyor belt without causing overall deformation of the side plate, thereby maintaining both hermeticity and contact state consistency.
2Reliability
If the contact force is increased to ensure hermeticity in the capping state, then the hermeticity is improved, but the size of the apparatus increases and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the contact force parameter by positioning the elastic member at the lower end portion of the side plate and adjusting the side plate's length. This parameter change allows the elastic member to provide sufficient contact force for hermeticity without requiring excessive force, thereby avoiding increased apparatus size and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-positioning the elastic member at the lower end portion of the side plate during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration ensures that the elastic member automatically provides the necessary contact force when the capping member is assembled, eliminating the need for additional complex mechanisms to maintain hermeticity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the side plate is made elastic to reduce cost, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the side plate deforms outwardly due to the diaphragm's outward biasing force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the lower end portion of the side plate elastic through the elastic member, while the rest of the side plate maintains its structural stability. This localized elasticity reduces manufacturing cost compared to making the entire side plate elastic, while preventing overall deformation caused by the diaphragm's outward biasing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the side plate by adjusting its length in the contact direction and positioning the elastic member at the lower end portion. This parameter change allows the side plate to withstand the diaphragm's outward biasing force without deforming, while still benefiting from the cost reduction of using an elastic material at the critical contact area.
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 solution ensures high hermeticity and prevents ink thickening near the ejection openings by maintaining consistent contact between the lip and the opposing member, simplifying the structure and reducing the size of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a surrounding member having elasticity and integrally including (a) a lip which surrounds the liquid ejecting head and (b) a diaphragm which closes a space between the lip and the liquid ejecting head and which outwardly biases the lip
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus, including a head and a capping mechanism which includes: a surrounding member including a lip that surrounds the head and a diaphragm which closes a space between the lip and the head and which outwardly biases the lip; a guide fixed to the head; a holder which surrounds the head and to which the lip is fixed; a moving mechanism configured to move the guide and the holder relative to each other such that the capping mechanism is placed in one of a hermetically sealed state and a non-hermetically sealed state; and a restraining member which is provided on one of the holder and the guide and which is configured to restrain outward deformation of the lip by contacting the other of the holder and the guide, when the capping mechanism is placed in the hermetically sealed state.