Inkjet Recording Apparatus With Heated Immersion Cleaning for Solidified Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face ejection failures due to ink solidification on recording heads, which conventional cleaning methods struggle to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a cap, cleaning liquid supply, heating portion, and control portion that predicts ink solidification based on ambient temperature and time since ejection, using immersion cleaning to remove solidified ink by immersing the ejection surface in heated cleaning liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods (capping, immersing in cleaning liquid, or wiping) are used to remove solidified ink, then the ink ejection surface can be cleaned, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient when ink is heavily solidified
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of the cleaning liquid before immersion cleaning to prevent ink solidification and facilitate easier removal. The control unit activates the heating unit prior to the cleaning operation based on detected solidification risk, softening the ink residue in advance to enhance subsequent cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the cleaning liquid by heating it before immersion cleaning. The control unit regulates the heating unit to maintain the cleaning liquid at an optimal temperature that prevents ink solidification and enhances cleaning effectiveness, transforming the cleaning process from cold to warm/heated immersion.
2Reliability
If the ink ejection surface is capped to prevent ink solidification, then ink ejection performance is maintained, but ink may still solidify during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit detects the solidification risk of ink on the ink ejection surface and provides feedback to adjust the cleaning operation. Based on the detected solidification state and idle time, the control unit dynamically determines whether to perform heating, immersion cleaning, or wiping, and adjusts cleaning liquid temperature and immersion duration to optimize cleaning effectiveness while minimizing idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates dynamically by adjusting its mode and parameters based on real-time conditions. The control unit switches between different cleaning modes (heating, immersion cleaning, wiping) and adjusts immersion time and liquid temperature according to the detected ink solidification state, making the cleaning process adaptive rather than static.
3Reliability
If immersion cleaning is performed with heated cleaning liquid, then solidified ink is effectively removed, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary heating to the cleaning liquid to counteract the solidification of ink before cleaning occurs. By pre-heating the cleaning liquid to an optimal temperature, the system prevents ink from fully solidifying during idle periods and facilitates easier removal, reducing the need for repeated high-energy cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit applies heating selectively based on the detected solidification risk. When ink solidification is detected or predicted, the heating unit is activated with appropriate power and duration to achieve effective cleaning. The heating is not continuously applied but only when necessary, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
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 removes solidified ink, maintaining optimal ink ejection performance by setting cleaning conditions based on predicted solidification states, enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The heating portion heats the cleaning liquid
Implementation Method 2
The cap is attachable to and detachable from the ink ejection surface and caps the ink ejection surface
Implementation Method 3
performing cleaning of the ink ejection surface by immersing the ink ejection surface in the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space
Data Source
AI summary
A control portion of an inkjet recording apparatus is capable of executing an immersion cleaning mode of performing cleaning of an ink ejection surface by immersing the ink ejection surface in a cleaning liquid stored in a closed space between the ink ejection surface and a cap and heated. In the immersion cleaning mode, based on a lapse of time from an end of ink ejection and an ambient temperature, the control portion predicts a solidified state of residual ink remaining on the ink ejection surface and, based on the predicted solidified state, sets a cleaning condition.