Ink Jet Recording Head Wiper Segmentation for Density Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in maintaining consistent ink ejection and image quality due to density unevenness caused by optical density differences at joint portions of adjacent recording element substrates, where traditional cleaning methods often fail to provide sufficient contact force and result in irregular ejections.
Innovation Solution
The method involves arranging recording element substrates such that their ends overlap to form joint portions, using blade wipers with overlapping ends to wipe the ejection orifice surfaces, and ensuring that the dynamic surface tension of one ink is equal to or greater than the static surface tension of another to minimize ink mixing and density unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single wiper is used to clean the ejection orifice surface, then the structure is simple, but the contact force is insufficient at joint portions causing density unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is divided into multiple segments (first wiper and second wiper) that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each wiper segment targets specific regions of the ejection orifice surface, ensuring adequate contact force at joint portions while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple wipers are arranged to overlap at joint portions, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but ink mixing between adjacent ejection orifices occurs causing density unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
Different wiper segments are assigned to clean specific regions (first ejection orifice array and second ejection orifice array) with locally optimized contact forces. The first wiper applies greater contact force to its target region while the second wiper does the same for its region, preventing ink mixing at joint portions while maintaining uniform ejection quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If wiper contact force is increased to improve cleaning at joint portions, then ejection regularity is improved, but ink is disturbed causing density unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning function is segmented into multiple wipers that independently clean different ejection orifice arrays. Each wiper applies appropriate contact force to its designated region without excessively disturbing the ink at adjacent regions, thereby maintaining ejection regularity while preventing density unevenness through distributed, controlled cleaning 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
This approach effectively suppresses density unevenness and irregular ejections at joint portions, leading to high-quality image recording by controlling ink flow and surface tension dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
wiping the ejection orifice surfaces of the plurality of recording element substrates with a plurality of blade wipers
Implementation Method 2
ejecting a first ink from ejection orifices of a first ejection orifice array, ejecting a second ink from ejection orifices of a second ejection orifice array
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an image on a recording medium using an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head in which a plurality of recording element substrates is arranged to form joint portions and a plurality of wipers is arranged to form wiper overlapping portions. The method includes ejecting a first ink from a first ejection orifice array, ejecting a second ink from a second ejection orifice array, and the plurality of recording element substrates with the plurality of wipers. The first ejection orifice array is wiped and then the second ejection orifice array is wiped. At least a part of the wiper overlapping portion wipes the joint portion. A dynamic surface tension (γD1) of the first ink is equal to or more than a static surface tension (γS2) of the second ink.