Elastic Cap Cover for Inkjet Head Cleaning Liquid Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording systems face challenges in effectively dispersing ink aggregates within the recording heads and preventing spills of cleaning liquids during capping operations, which limits the thorough cleaning of nozzle surfaces and internal ink removal.

Innovation Solution

A head cap design with a cap housing and cap cover that includes a liquid storage space and a capping mechanism for inkjet recording heads, allowing for immersion in a cleaning liquid and minimizing spillage through elastic cap covers that fit snugly around the recording heads, ensuring the cleaning liquid spreads inside to disperse ink aggregates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cleaning liquid is shaken to disperse ink aggregates, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the cleaning liquid spills from the head cap

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning liquid spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The head cap incorporates an elastic cap cover that forms a flexible seal around the recording head. This flexible shell structure prevents cleaning liquid spillage while allowing the cap body to be shaken for dispersing ink aggregates, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and liquid loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Loss of substance

If the cap cover is made tight to prevent spillage, then cleaning liquid retention is improved, but the recording head cannot enter and leave smoothly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid retentionVSAvoidhead insertion and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap cover is designed as an elastic flexible shell that can deform. When the recording head is inserted or removed, the elastic material stretches or compresses to accommodate the head's movement, then returns to its original shape to maintain the seal and prevent cleaning liquid spillage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cap cover's physical state changes dynamically - it transitions from a sealed configuration (preventing spillage) to an open configuration (allowing head insertion/removal) and back again. The elasticity parameter allows the cover to adapt between these states without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively disperses ink aggregates within the recording heads without spilling the cleaning liquid, ensuring thorough cleaning and maintaining the integrity of the cap covers, thus addressing the limitations of existing capping operations in inkjet recording systems.

Implementation Method 1

the cleaning liquid spreads inside to disperse ink aggregates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

the cleaning liquid is shaken

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

elastic cap covers that fit snugly around the recording heads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11772381B2Head cap and inkjet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A head cap covers an inkjet type recording head. The head cap includes a cap housing and a cap cover. The cap housing has a liquid storage space opened upward. The cap cover is provided along an open end of the cap housing. The cap cover has an opening through which the recording head enters and leaves.