Compact Wiper Device for Selective Inkjet Head Cleaning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printer wiper devices require a complex construction with multiple wipers and actuators, making them difficult to miniaturize and increasing the time required for selective wiping of multiple nozzle heads.
Innovation Solution
A wiper device with fewer wipers than nozzle heads, utilizing a motor-driven wiper mechanism that moves between two positions to wipe adjacent rows of heads, reducing the number of parts and actuators needed, and employing a gear system and cam mechanism for sequential operation of wipers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wiper is provided for each nozzle head to enable selective wiping, then wiping selectivity is improved, but device complexity and size increase due to requiring multiple actuators
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wipers are merged onto a single carriage structure that moves collectively between print position and maintenance position. The wipers share common support structures and control mechanisms, reducing the number of independent actuators from multiple (one per wiper) to a smaller number (one or two for the entire assembly).
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage structure serves multiple functions: it supports multiple wipers, provides a common moving platform between print and maintenance positions, and enables selective positioning of the entire wiper assembly. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate actuators for each wiper.
2Device complexity
If the number of wipers is reduced to fewer than the number of heads, then device size and complexity are reduced, but the ability to selectively wipe multiple rows of heads is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly is made dynamically positionable along the head unit axis through the carriage mechanism. By moving the carriage between different positions, a single wiper can sequentially access and wipe multiple rows of heads, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring static wipers for each row.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by introducing movement in the axial dimension (along the head unit) rather than requiring lateral arrangement of multiple wipers. The carriage moves the wiper along the axis to different rows, transforming a multi-wiper lateral configuration into a single-wiper longitudinal configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a carriage moving mechanism is added to enable relative movement between carriage and wipers for selective wiping, then wiping flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to the complex carriage moving mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage moving mechanism is merged with the existing carriage structure that already moves between print and maintenance positions. The same actuator(s) that move the carriage axially are used to position the wiper assembly, combining maintenance positioning with printing positioning functions into a single mechanism.
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 a compact, efficient, and fast wiper device that can selectively wipe multiple rows of nozzle heads with fewer components, simplifying construction and operation while reducing the size of the printer.
Implementation Method 1
a motor; and a wiper drive mechanism that slides the wiper against the nozzle face of the head and wipes a row of heads based on rotation of the motor
Implementation Method 2
a wiper drive mechanism that slides the wiper against the nozzle face of the head and wipes a row of heads based on rotation of the motor
Implementation Method 3
a wiper moving mechanism that moves the wiper to a first position for wiping a first row of the plural rows of heads, and a second position for wiping a second row that is different from the first row
Data Source
AI summary
A wiper device enables to wipe selectively the unit heads to of an inkjet head has a simple, compact construction. The wiper device of a printer has four wiper units arranged in a line. When a drive shaft turns based on rotation of a wiper motor, the four wiper units operate sequentially from one end to the other in an outbound operating sequence, and operate sequentially in the reverse order in a return operating sequence. Four head units each have a row of unit heads, and a row of unit heads. The four wiper units can move to a position enabling wiping unit heads, and a position enabling wiping unit heads.