Head Maintenance Device Absorbing Roller Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head maintenance devices for liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in effectively cleaning the suction cap and wiper, as they often fail to efficiently remove liquid from the contact and side wall surfaces, leading to reduced cleanability and potential clogging of nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A head maintenance device with a cleaner that includes an absorbing member, which is movable to contact and clean the suction cap and wiper, applying cleaning liquid and absorbing remaining liquid from the surfaces, ensuring thorough cleaning of both the cap and wiper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a web-shaped wiper cleaner is used to clean the cap and wiper, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the cleanability is insufficient because liquid remains on the surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an absorbent roller with porous structure to clean the cap and wiper. The porous material absorbs liquid through capillary action, effectively removing liquid from surfaces. This resolves the contradiction by providing both adequate cleaning coverage and effective liquid removal capability that the web-shaped wiper cleaner failed to achieve.
2Device complexity
If the cleaner remains stationary, then the structure is simple, but it cannot effectively clean all surfaces of the cap and wiper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable absorbent roller that can move relative to the cap and wiper during the cleaning process. This dynamic movement allows the cleaner to contact and clean all surfaces of the cap and wiper effectively. The movement is achieved through a simple mechanical structure that rotates the roller, providing comprehensive cleaning coverage without excessive complexity.
3Reliability
If the cap and wiper are cleaned frequently, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but maintenance time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic cleaning mechanism where the absorbent roller automatically contacts and cleans the cap and wiper during normal operation or maintenance cycles. The holder moves the cleaner to position it against the cap and wiper surfaces, enabling self-cleaning functionality. This reduces the need for manual intervention and minimizes maintenance time while ensuring nozzle reliability through frequent cleaning.
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 improves the cleanability of the suction cap and wiper, effectively removing liquid from all surfaces, thereby enhancing the maintenance efficiency and preventing nozzle clogging, ensuring reliable operation of the liquid discharge apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbing member configured to contact the cap and the wiper
Data Source
AI summary
A head maintenance device includes a cap configured to cap a nozzle surface of a head configured to discharge a liquid, a wiper configured to wipe the nozzle surface of the head, a holder configured to vertically movably hold the cap and the wiper to a height at which the cap and the wiper bite into the absorbing member, and a cleaner configured to move relative to the cap and the wiper, the cleaner comprising an absorbing member configured to contact the cap and the wiper.