Inkjet Head Cap Structure to Prevent Nozzle Dew Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses using aqueous ink face issues with moisture evaporation from nozzles leading to increased viscosity and clogging during non-printing periods, which conventional humidified air supply methods may not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance device with a cap equipped with an air supply opening, exhaust opening, and a suppression member that includes gaps and through-holes, preventing direct contact of humidified air with the nozzle surface to suppress dew condensation and maintain ink viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If humidified air is supplied directly onto the nozzle surface to suppress moisture evaporation, then ink viscosity increase is prevented, but dew condensation occurs causing ink leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cap as an intermediary component between the humidified air supply and the nozzle surface. The cap includes a humidified air supply port that directs humidified air onto an upper surface of the cap, and an exhaust port that exhausts air from a lower surface. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact between humidified air and the nozzle surface, thereby suppressing dew condensation while still maintaining humidity to prevent ink viscosity increase.
2Reliability
If a cap covers the nozzle surface to maintain humidity, then moisture evaporation is suppressed, but direct contact between humidified air and nozzle surface causes dew condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones on the cap structure. The upper surface of the cap receives humidified air to maintain humidity, while the lower surface exhausts air to prevent dew condensation. The cap essentially creates localized humidity control - maintaining humidity where needed (in the cap interior) while preventing harmful condensation (at the nozzle interface).
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 prevents dew condensation and ink leakage, ensuring consistent inkjet performance by maintaining ink viscosity and preventing nozzle clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a suppression member which is provided at least between the air supply opening and the nozzle surface and has a first gap with respect to the air supply opening and a second gap with respect to the nozzle surface
Implementation Method 2
there is a fear that, while printing is not executed, moisture will evaporate from the ink in nozzles and viscosity will increase
Implementation Method 3
The solution effectively suppresses the rise in ink viscosity by maintaining humidity within the nozzles
Implementation Method 4
avoiding dew condensation that could lead to ink leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance device includes: a cap to be attached to a nozzle surface of an inkjet head; an air supply opening and an exhaust opening provided in the cap; and a suppression member which is provided at least between the air supply opening and the nozzle surface and has a first gap with respect to the air supply opening and a second gap with respect to the nozzle surface, and an end portion of the suppression member on a side of the exhaust opening opposes the exhaust opening.