Reusable Medium Plate Cleaning for Ink Discharge Test Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reuse of test recording media after forming a test pattern is not addressed in existing technologies, leading to increased costs due to the disposal of these media.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus that includes a maintenance device with a medium plate that can be reused by cleaning and drying mechanisms, allowing the test pattern to be removed and the medium plate to be reused for subsequent tests.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a test recording medium is used to form a test pattern and then discarded, then the ink discharge quality can be detected, but the cost increases due to continuous disposal of media

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink discharge quality detectionVSAvoidrecording medium
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle by introducing a cleaning mechanism that removes the test pattern from the recording medium after detection. This allows the medium to be recovered and reused for subsequent tests, eliminating the need to discard it after a single use and thereby reducing material loss and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the test pattern from the recording medium through the cleaning mechanism. By separating the test pattern (which is no longer needed) from the recording medium (which can be reused), the system enables the medium to be taken out of the waste stream and returned to service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of substance

If a cleaning mechanism is added to reuse the recording medium, then cost is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording mediumVSAvoidmaintenance device
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning mechanism is designed to automatically clean the recording medium without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by using a cleaning blade and air supply to remove the test pattern, minimizing the need for external operation and reducing the complexity burden despite adding functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning mechanism between the ink discharge unit and the recording medium. This intermediary component (cleaning blade with air supply) facilitates the reuse of the medium by removing the test pattern, acting as a mediator that enables cost reduction without requiring fundamental redesign of the core system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces costs by allowing the reuse of the recording medium and enhances detection accuracy by simulating the actual coating conditions, thereby improving the reliability of ink discharge quality assessment.

Implementation Method 1

a wiping mechanism is used to wipe off the test image from the glass or plastic

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWiping: Friction

Implementation Method 2

cleaned by cleaning means such as an air blower or a blade

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir blowing: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

drying mechanisms, thereby removing the test pattern from the medium plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4311677B1Liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4311677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4311677B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus (3000) includes a liquid discharge head (100), a second medium, and a cleaner (210). The liquid discharge head (100) discharges a liquid on the first medium. The second medium is different from the first medium. The liquid discharge head (100) is dischargeable the liquid onto the second medium to form a test pattern. The cleaner (210) cleans the second medium to remove the test pattern from the second medium.