Fluid Reception Member Inclination for Cap Ink Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink remaining in the cap member of a fluid ejecting apparatus can increase in viscosity and solidify, leading to capping failures and insufficient suction due to incomplete ink removal during maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance method involving posture changes of the fluid reception member from a predetermined posture to inclined postures, allowing ink to diffuse and be sucked from positions where it cannot be reached in the initial posture, combined with pre-suction and strategic outlet port management to enhance suction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid is sucked in the predetermined posture of the fluid reception member, then the suction process is simple and quick, but fluid remains in corners and cannot be completely removed
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid reception member is made rotatable to change its posture dynamically during the suction process. By rotating the member to inclined postures, the suction system can access fluid in corner portions that would otherwise be inaccessible in the predetermined posture, thereby improving complete fluid removal without requiring multiple fixed suction points
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a rotational dimension to the fluid reception member, allowing it to transition between different postures (predetermined posture and multiple inclined postures). This dimensional change enables the suction device to reach fluid in various locations within the reception member, solving the problem of incomplete fluid removal
2Reliability
If the fluid reception member is inclined to one side, then fluid in opposite corners can be accessed, but fluid in the inclined side corners remains trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The suction process is performed periodically in multiple stages: first in the predetermined posture, then in a first inclined posture, and finally in a second inclined posture. This periodic action ensures that fluid is progressively removed from all corner portions, with each suction cycle targeting different locations based on the current posture
Solution Approach 2:
Fluid is first suctioned in the predetermined posture before inclining the reception member. This preliminary suction removes the bulk of the fluid, making subsequent inclined posture suctions more efficient by targeting only the remaining corner portions
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
Effectively reduces ink remaining in the cap member, preventing capping failures and ensuring efficient ink removal, thereby maintaining the fluid ejecting apparatus's performance.
Implementation Method 1
fluid at positions where fluid cannot be completely sucked in a posture for receiving the fluid, for example, fluid at corners of the fluid ejecting head is moved and diffused due to own weight of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance method for a fluid ejecting apparatus having a fluid ejecting head which ejects fluid and a fluid reception member which receives the fluid in a predetermined posture, includes changing a posture of the fluid reception member to an inclined posture which is a posture inclined with respect to the predetermined posture; and sucking fluid in the fluid reception member in the inclined posture after changing the posture to the inclined posture.