Ink Suction Block Self-Cleaning for Printhead Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printing apparatuses face issues with discharge failure due to ink solidification in discharge heads, and the ink sucking units used for cleaning become contaminated, complicating the apparatus configuration and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced for the ink sucking unit that includes a cleaning liquid supplier, an auxiliary cleaning member, and a controller to move the unit between cleaning regions, applying negative pressure and spreading cleaning liquid to remove ink from both the discharge head and the sucking unit's surface, simplifying the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate mechanism is provided to remove ink from the ink sucking unit, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cleaning function and the ink removal function into a single integrated ink sucking unit. The same suction mechanism that removes ink from the discharge head also removes cleaning liquid from the cleaning member surface, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The ink sucking unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it cleans the discharge head by suction, removes ink from the cleaning member surface through the same suction mechanism, and can be moved between different positions to access both the discharge head and the cleaning member. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive cleaning without adding device complexity
2Reliability
If the ink sucking unit is used to remove ink from the discharge head, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the ink sucking unit becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful contamination of the ink sucking unit into a beneficial self-cleaning process. The same suction mechanism that initially picks up ink from the discharge head subsequently removes the cleaning liquid along with any remaining ink from the cleaning member surface, effectively using the contamination process to achieve thorough cleaning of both components
Solution Approach 2:
The ink sucking unit performs self-cleaning through the suction mechanism. After cleaning the discharge head, the unit is positioned to allow the suction to draw cleaning liquid across its own surface, automatically removing any ink contamination without requiring external intervention or separate cleaning mechanisms
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 mechanism effectively cleans the ink sucking unit without additional components, ensuring reliable removal of ink from the discharge head and the unit itself, maintaining cleaning performance and avoiding configuration complexity and cost increases.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure applier applying a negative pressure to the suction hole of the ink sucking unit
Implementation Method 2
sucking the ink through the suction hole
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the head facing flat surface 71, and the dummy flat surface 571 of the dummy block 57a facing the head facing flat surface 71 contacts the cleaning liquid. This causes the cleaning liquid to be spread on the head facing flat surface 71 by the dummy flat surface 571. The cleaning liquid spread on the head facing flat surface 71 is sucked through the suction holes 72 of the suction block 7. The suction holes 72 can be cleaned by the cleaning liquid passing through the suction holes 72 according to suction. On this occasion, the ink supplied to the head facing flat surface 71 is removed through the suction holes 72 of the suction block 7. The suction holes 72 have both a function of removing the ink from the discharge heads H and a function of removing the cleaning liquid from the head facing flat surface 71.