Image Recording Maintenance Foam Support to Reduce Ink Solidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image recording apparatuses, ink absorbed by the foam in the maintenance apparatus can dry and solidify, leading to reduced absorption capacity and potential ink accumulation on nozzle surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The maintenance apparatus features an accommodating box with a projection that supports the foam's bottom surface, creating a space for absorbed liquid to move away from the foam's bottom, reducing solidification and facilitating liquid drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the absorbing member (foam) is placed directly on the inner bottom surface of the ink receiving chamber, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the liquid absorbed by the foam solidifies in the inside of the foam
Solution Approach 1:
The ink receiving chamber bottom is segmented into two functional zones: a first region where the absorbing member contacts the bottom surface, and a second region separated by a projection. This segmentation allows liquid to be directed away from the absorbing member through the projection, preventing solidification while maintaining simple manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection acts as an intermediary element between the absorbing member and the ink receiving chamber bottom. It mediates the liquid flow by creating a separation zone, allowing liquid to drain away from the absorbing member without requiring complex drainage structures.
2Device complexity
If the absorbing member is positioned close to the inner bottom surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ink accumulates on the upper surface of the foam and may contact the nozzle surface
Solution Approach 1:
The projection extends vertically from the chamber bottom, creating a three-dimensional separation zone. This dimensional approach allows liquid to be diverted horizontally away from the absorbing member while maintaining close contact between the foam and chamber bottom, thus reducing device complexity while preventing harmful ink accumulation.
3Device complexity
If the concentration of cleaning liquid is small, then the liquid injecting part can be simpler, but the ink solidifies in the inside of the absorbing member
Solution Approach 1:
The projection extracts or separates the liquid flow path from the absorbing member contact area. By creating a physical separation zone, it enables the use of lower concentration cleaning liquids while preventing the extracted liquid from solidifying within the foam, thus maintaining reliability without increasing device complexity.
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 design effectively minimizes ink solidification within the foam, maintaining its absorption capacity and preventing ink from contacting nozzle surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a foam configured to absorb the liquid discharged from the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The foam is made, for example, of a porous material and absorbs the ink discharged from the nozzles of the head during the flushing
Implementation Method 3
An inner bottom surface of the accommodating box has a projection supporting a bottom surface of the foam so that the bottom surface of the foam is positioned separated from the inner bottom surface of the accommodating box
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a maintenance apparatus for an image recording apparatus provided with a head having a nozzle configured to discharge a liquid. The maintenance apparatus includes: a foam configured to absorb the liquid discharged from the nozzle; and an accommodating box which is opened upwardly and which accommodates the foam. An inner bottom surface of the accommodating box has a projection supporting a bottom surface of the foam so that the bottom surface of the foam is positioned separated from the inner bottom surface of the accommodating box.