Ink Jet Printer Wiper Cleaner for Nozzle Surface Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in effectively removing ink from wipers to prevent ink solidification and ensure continuous printing, as existing methods may not fully address ink residue on the wiper after wiping the nozzle surface.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet printer design incorporating a wiper cleaner that contacts the wiper before and after wiping the nozzle surface, utilizing a controller to manage the wiper's movement and ensure efficient ink removal, with a wiper cleaner made of a material with high ink absorbency and a continuous foaming structure to enhance ink absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is used to wipe the nozzle surface, then ink and dust adhering to the nozzle surface is removed, but ink adheres to the wiper and accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful ink accumulation problem from the wiper by introducing a separate wiper cleaner component. The wiper cleaner is positioned to contact the wiper and remove accumulated ink, effectively separating the cleaning function (wiper) from the contamination function (ink accumulation on wiper). This allows the wiper to focus on cleaning the nozzle surface while the wiper cleaner handles the ink removal from the wiper itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper cleaner acts as an intermediary component between the wiper and the ink residue. Instead of relying on the wiper to clean itself or requiring manual intervention, the wiper cleaner serves as a mediator that automatically removes ink from the wiper surface during the maintenance cycle, enabling continuous effective operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the wiper contacts the nozzle surface to wipe ink, then the nozzle surface is cleaned, but the wiper becomes contaminated with ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the maintenance function into two distinct components: the wiper for removing ink from the nozzle surface and the wiper cleaner for removing ink from the wiper. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively without interfering with the other, maintaining high nozzle surface cleanliness while preventing wiper contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper cleaner is positioned and configured to perform preliminary cleaning of the wiper before the wiper contacts the nozzle surface during maintenance cycles. This preliminary action ensures that the wiper starts clean and maintains its cleaning effectiveness throughout operation, preventing ink accumulation that would compromise nozzle surface cleanliness.
3Device complexity
If a simple wiper structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but ink removal capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wiper and wiper cleaner into an integrated maintenance system that operates automatically during printing cycles. The wiper and wiper cleaner are positioned and controlled to work together seamlessly, removing ink from both the nozzle surface and the wiper itself. This merging of functions maintains relatively simple device complexity while significantly improving ink removal effectiveness through coordinated action.
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 effectively reduces ink adherence on the wiper, allowing for more efficient wiping of the nozzle surface and preventing ink solidification, thereby maintaining printer performance and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a wiper cleaner extending downward, to contact the wiper and remove ink adhering to the wiper
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes an ink head including a nozzle surface on which a nozzle is provided, a wiper extending upward to wipe the nozzle surface, a wiper mover to move the wiper in a sub-scanning direction, a wiper cleaner disposed downstream of a carriage and extending downward to remove ink adhering to the wiper, and a controller configured or programmed to control the wiper mover. The controller is configured or programmed to control the wiper mover such that the nozzle surface is wiped by the wiper after bringing the wiper into contact with the wiper cleaner or to bring the wiper into contact with the wiper cleaner after wiping the nozzle surface by the wiper.