Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Wiping Mechanism Foreign Matter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face a reduction in print quality due to foreign matter scattered during the wiping of the liquid ejecting head, which can deteriorate the preprocessing device's processing capability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a design where the wiper blade moves in a direction away from the preprocessing device during maintenance wiping, and a separate wiping mechanism for maintenance uses a fabric to absorb ink, ensuring foreign matter does not reach the preprocessing device, with the preprocessing device being stopped before wiping to minimize contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is used to wipe the liquid ejecting head, then the discharging properties of the liquid are maintained, but foreign matter is scattered and reaches the preprocessing device, causing deterioration in processing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of foreign matter scattering is extracted and isolated by positioning the wiper to move away from the preprocessing device. The wiper operation is separated in space from the preprocessing device, preventing foreign matter from reaching it while maintaining the wiping function.
Solution Approach 2:
A fabric is introduced as an intermediary material between the wiper and the liquid ejecting head. The fabric absorbs the liquid during wiping, reducing the scattering of foreign matter compared to direct wiper contact.
2Productivity
If the preprocessing device operates continuously, then processing is maintained, but foreign matter from wiping contaminates the preprocessing device, reducing its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The preprocessing device operates periodically rather than continuously. It stops during the wiping operation and resumes after wiping is complete. This periodic operation prevents contamination from foreign matter while maintaining overall processing productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the wiper moves close to the preprocessing device for effective wiping, then cleaning capability is improved, but foreign matter directly reaches the preprocessing device, causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is designed with asymmetric movement characteristics. During the wiping stroke, the wiper moves close to the liquid ejecting head for effective cleaning. During the return stroke, the wiper moves away from the preprocessing device, creating an asymmetric path that prevents foreign matter contamination.
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 configuration effectively suppresses the deterioration of the preprocessing device's capability by preventing foreign matter from reaching it, stabilizes the meniscus, and improves foreign matter removal, maintaining print quality and preventing discharge faults.
Implementation Method 1
a separate wiping mechanism for maintenance uses a fabric to absorb ink
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which performs a printing by ejecting liquid onto a medium from a nozzle, a wiping portion which wipes the liquid ejecting head by moving relative to the liquid ejecting head, a maintenance unit which performs a maintenance to forcibly discharge the liquid from the nozzle, and a preprocessing device which performs a preprocessing on the medium before the printing is performed, in which when the wiping portion and the liquid ejecting head are separated from each other in the wiping not accompanying the maintenance, the wiping portion is displaced in a direction away from the preprocessing device.