Inkjet Head Cap Cleaning With Absorbent Oscillation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with insufficient cleaning liquid supply to the nozzle surface due to low capacity in wiper configurations, leading to potential ejection failure and contamination from scattered cleaning liquid in spray nozzle configurations.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance device comprising a cap with an elastic body and a control system that supplies cleaning liquid to the cap, lifts it to press the elastic body onto the nozzle surface, and oscillates it to ensure abundant liquid distribution without scattering, using a lifting device and oscillating mechanism to enhance cleaning efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a wiper scrapes cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid supply port, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning liquid capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcleaning liquid capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body is placed inside the cap, which itself is positioned within the maintenance device structure. The cap contains the elastic body that holds cleaning liquid, creating a nested arrangement where the cleaning liquid storage function is integrated within the existing cap structure, thereby increasing capacity without proportionally increasing external dimensions or complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body made of flexible material can deform to accommodate varying amounts of cleaning liquid and adapt to the nozzle surface contour. This flexible component allows the cap to hold sufficient cleaning liquid while maintaining a compact form factor, resolving the contradiction between capacity and structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Quantity of substance

If a spray nozzle sprays cleaning liquid onto the nozzle surface, then cleaning liquid can be supplied abundantly, but the cleaning liquid scatters and contaminates the apparatus interior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid supply amountVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cap serves as an intermediary device between the cleaning liquid supply and the nozzle surface. It receives cleaning liquid through the supply port and delivers it directly to the nozzle surface through contact with the elastic body, preventing scattering and contamination of the apparatus interior while ensuring adequate cleaning liquid supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning liquid is delivered locally and precisely to the nozzle surface through the cap's contact point, rather than being sprayed broadly. This localized delivery method ensures sufficient cleaning liquid reaches the target area without scattering to contaminate surrounding components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the wiper slides along the nozzle surface, then the structure is simple, but the cleaning effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanism simplicityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillating device causes the cap to oscillate, creating mechanical vibration and motion that enhances the cleaning action of the elastic body on the nozzle surface. This oscillatory motion improves cleaning effectiveness by preventing the elastic body from simply sliding over contaminants, while the oscillating device itself remains a relatively simple mechanical component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static or simple sliding wiper mechanism to a dynamic oscillating cap mechanism. The oscillating motion provides continuous renewal of the cleaning contact, improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining reasonable mechanical simplicity through the use of a dedicated oscillating device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures adequate cleaning liquid supply to the nozzle surface, preventing ejection failure and contamination, thereby maintaining image quality and reducing wear on the nozzle surface.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic body 72E has a liquid absorbency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an oscillating device (75) that oscillates the cap (72)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS20250262858A1Maintenance device and inkjet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A maintenance device includes a cap, a lifting device, a cleaning liquid supply device, an oscillating device, and a control part. The cap is attached to a nozzle surface of an inkjet head. The lifting device lifts and lowers at least one of the inkjet head or the cap. The cleaning liquid supply device supplies a cleaning liquid to the cap. The oscillating device oscillates the cap. The cap has a base portion, a wall portion which surrounds the nozzle surface, and an elastic body which has a liquid absorbency and is placed on a region inside the wall portion on the base portion. The control part controls the cleaning liquid supply device to supply the cleaning liquid to the cap, controls the lifting device such that the elastic body is pressed on the nozzle surface, and then controls the oscillating device to oscillate the cap.