Inkjet Cap Flow Restrainer Prevents Air Discharge Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid ejection apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, the discharge of liquid onto the cap and ejection surface during air humidification can cause the liquid to flow into the air discharge opening, leading to clogging and deterioration of the humidifier's performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a cap device that establishes a sealing state to isolate the ejection space, featuring an air introduction and discharge opening positioned outside the liquid discharge area, and at least one flow restrainer to prevent liquid from reaching the air discharge opening, ensuring the liquid does not flow into the air discharge path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air discharge opening is provided in the cap device for discharging air from the ejection space, then the humidifying function can be achieved, but liquid may flow into the air discharge opening causing clogging and performance deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The cap device is divided into distinct functional areas: a liquid discharge area for receiving ejected liquid, and an outer peripheral area for air discharge openings. This spatial segmentation prevents liquid from reaching the air discharge openings while maintaining both humidifying and liquid reception functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow restrainer (protrusion wall) is introduced as an intermediary structure between the liquid discharge area and the air discharge opening. This protrusion wall acts as a barrier that allows air to pass through to the air discharge opening while blocking liquid flow, thus preventing clogging without compromising the humidifying function.
2Reliability
If the cap device seals the ejection space to prevent liquid evaporation, then clogging of liquid ejection openings can be prevented, but liquid discharged onto the cap may accumulate and flow toward the air discharge opening
Solution Approach 1:
The cap device is divided into distinct functional areas: a liquid discharge area for receiving ejected liquid, and an outer peripheral area for air discharge openings. This spatial segmentation prevents liquid from reaching the air discharge openings while maintaining both humidifying and liquid reception functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion wall extends in the vertical dimension from the cap's inner surface, creating a three-dimensional barrier structure. This vertical extension effectively blocks liquid flow paths while allowing air to pass through the protrusion wall to reach the air discharge opening, thus managing liquid accumulation without compromising air circulation.
3Ease of operation
If the air discharge opening is positioned to allow air flow from the ejection space, then humidification can be maintained, but the opening may be exposed to liquid discharge paths
Solution Approach 1:
The cap device is divided into distinct functional areas: a liquid discharge area for receiving ejected liquid, and an outer peripheral area for air discharge openings. This spatial segmentation prevents liquid from reaching the air discharge openings while maintaining both humidifying and liquid reception functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow restrainer (protrusion wall) is introduced as an intermediary structure between the liquid discharge area and the air discharge opening. This protrusion wall acts as a barrier that allows air to pass through to the air discharge opening while blocking liquid flow, thus preventing clogging without compromising the humidifying function.
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 configuration prevents liquid from entering the air discharge opening, maintaining the humidifying function's performance and preventing clogging, thereby ensuring efficient operation of the liquid ejection apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
If a long time has elapsed without the liquid being ejected through the liquid ejection openings, the liquid in the vicinity of each of the liquid ejection openings is likely to be evaporated whereby viscosity of the ink could be increased
Implementation Method 2
a cap device configured to establish a sealing state and an unsealing state, such that an ejection space opposed to the liquid ejection surface is sealed from an exterior space by the cap device when the sealing state is being established
Implementation Method 3
at least one flow restrainer configured to restrain the liquid having been discharged onto the liquid discharge area, from flowing to the air discharge opening
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head that ejects ink through liquid ejection openings in a liquid ejection surface of the head, a cap device that establishes a sealing state, such that an ejection space opposed to the liquid ejection surface is sealed from an exterior space by the cap device, an air introduction opening and an air discharge opening that are located in the cap device, and a humidifier that supplies an humidified air into the ejection space through the air introduction opening and that discharges an air from the ejection space through the air discharge opening. The air discharge opening opens in an area other than a liquid discharge area onto which the ejected liquid is to be discharged. The apparatus further includes a flow restrainer that restrains the liquid discharged onto the liquid discharge area, from flowing to the air discharge opening.