Fluid Ejecting Apparatus With Moving Absorbing Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet printers face issues with ink evaporation, clogging, and contamination during the flushing process, especially in line head printers where the printing head cannot move, leading to inefficient ink ejection and potential contamination of printing sheets and equipment.

Innovation Solution

A fluid ejecting apparatus with intersecting nozzle rows and a linear absorbing member that moves relative to the nozzles, allowing for selective ink ejection and absorption, utilizing a control system for precise timing and position control to optimize the flushing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple absorbing members are arranged at the same interval on the sheet transporting belt, then the flushing process can cover the entire printing width, but the number of absorbing members increases and the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing coverage areaVSAvoidnumber of absorbing members

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbing member is changed from a static arrangement to a dynamic moving component. A single absorbing member moves back and forth in the width direction of the printing sheet, sequentially facing different nozzle rows. This dynamic approach allows one absorbing member to cover the entire flushing area that previously required multiple stationary absorbing members, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive flushing coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If ink is ejected toward a planar absorbing member, then the flushing process can be performed, but ink scatters in the form of mist due to wind pressure, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing process efficiencyVSAvoidink contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The absorbing member is extended in the width direction beyond the printing width, creating a three-dimensional absorption structure. This extended configuration allows the absorbing member to capture ink droplets more effectively by providing a larger surface area in the width direction, preventing ink mist from scattering and contaminating the printing sheet or sheet transporting belt while maintaining flushing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the flushing process is performed by moving the printing head to a non-printing area, then the flushing can be done without contamination, but the printing head cannot move during flushing in line head printers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing without contaminationVSAvoidprinting head mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the printing head to a non-printing area for flushing, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the printing head stationary and moving the absorbing member to the printing area. The absorbing member moves back and forth in the width direction to face different nozzle rows, allowing flushing to be performed in the printing area without requiring printing head movement, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring flushing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution enables a rapid and efficient flushing process, reducing ink waste and contamination, while using fewer absorbing members to maintain printing precision and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a linear absorbing member which is suspended while being parallel to the nozzle rows or inclined with respect to the nozzle rows at a predetermined angle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8820888B2Fluid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a fluid ejecting apparatus including: a plurality of nozzle rows which is arranged in the direction intersecting the extension direction of nozzles; a linear absorbing member which is suspended while being parallel to the nozzle rows or inclined with respect to the nozzle rows at a predetermined angle; a first movement section which relatively moves at least one of the absorbing member and the nozzle rows in the direction intersecting the nozzle rows; and a control section which performs a flushing process in which a fluid is selectively ejected from the nozzles facing the absorbing member toward the absorbing member while moving the absorbing member using the first movement section.