Ink Absorbing Material Projecting Portion for Efficient Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in efficiently discharging ink absorbed by the ink absorbing member due to its flat lower surface, which hinders ink guidance towards the suction port, leading to incomplete discharge.
Innovation Solution
A liquid absorbing material with a projecting portion that fits into the discharge channel, allowing ink to be guided efficiently out of the cap, combined with a cap design featuring a recessed groove and atmosphere opening channel to manage air flow and prevent bubbling, enhancing the adhesiveness and guiding efficiency of the ink discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the lower surface of the ink absorbing member is made flat to simplify structure, then manufacturing is easier, but ink discharge efficiency deteriorates because ink cannot be guided toward the suction port
Solution Approach 1:
The lower surface of the ink absorbing member is changed from flat to curved (concave or convex), creating a shape that naturally guides ink flow toward the suction port. This curvature modification enables ink to be directed efficiently without adding complex structural components, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and discharge efficiency.
2Reliability
If the ink absorbing member is pressed tightly against the nozzle surface to improve cleaning contact, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but air bubbles become trapped and ink discharge is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The ink absorbing member is designed with non-uniform local properties: a first region with higher ink absorption capacity for effective cleaning, and a second region with different properties that facilitates air bubble release and ink discharge. This local differentiation allows the member to perform both cleaning and discharge functions effectively without compromising either.
3Reliability
If the cap interior is completely sealed to prevent contamination, then reliability improves, but air flow is blocked and ink discharge through the suction port is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The ink absorbing member acts as an intermediary element between the sealed cap interior and the suction port. It manages the interface between the enclosed environment and the discharge pathway, allowing ink to be transferred from the cap interior to the suction port while maintaining the sealed environment, thus enabling both contamination prevention and efficient discharge.
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 enables efficient discharge of ink from the absorbing material by guiding it through the projecting portion and managing air flow, reducing suction loss and ensuring complete ink removal even when bubbled, thus improving the printer's maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an ink absorbing member (liquid absorbing material) for absorbing and holding part of ink sucked and discharged from the nozzle opening
Implementation Method 2
an ink absorbing member (liquid absorbing material) for absorbing and holding part of ink
Implementation Method 3
for sucking and discharging viscous ink or ink containing air bubbles from the nozzle openings by sucking the content in a cap
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid absorbing material, being provided in a liquid ejecting apparatus having a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid from nozzle openings formed on a nozzle forming surface, and being able to come into abutment with the liquid ejecting head so as to cover the nozzle openings and being stored in a cap having a discharge channel for discharging the liquid in the interior thereof, includes a body portion to be arranged in the cap when being stored in the cap, and a projecting portion arranged in the discharge channel.