Inkjet Printer Cap Device Positioning Guide Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cap devices for inkjet printers with multiple ink head units struggle to accurately position caps in both the main scanning and sub scanning directions, leading to incomplete hermetic sealing and issues like nozzle clogging and air bubble incorporation.
Innovation Solution
A cap device with a base member, movable and fixed tables, and guide members that allow for precise adjustment of cap positions in the main scanning direction, ensuring proper contact and hermetic sealing of inkjet nozzles, even when component sizes vary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the position of caps is determined based on the leftmost cap position, then the cap device can be assembled, but the positions of other caps cannot be accurately positioned due to component size variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positioning functions for multiple caps into a single integrated guide member structure. The guide members are provided on the base member and work together to simultaneously determine the positions of multiple caps in both the main scanning direction and sub scanning direction, eliminating the need for separate positioning operations that accumulate errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members act as intermediary elements between the base member and the caps. These guide members receive and transfer positioning information from the base member to the caps, ensuring accurate positioning without direct dependency on component size variations. The guide members mediate the positioning process to achieve high precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cap device structure is simplified for easier assembly, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to correct position deviations in multiple directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they guide the positioning of caps in the main scanning direction, guide positioning in the sub scanning direction, and work together to achieve accurate hermetic sealing. This multi-functionality allows the structure to remain relatively simple while maintaining high reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple guide members are added to correct cap positions in both directions, then positioning accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the positioning functions for multiple directions into an integrated guide member system. Rather than adding separate complex adjustment mechanisms for each direction, the guide members are designed to work together as a unified structure that simultaneously controls positioning in both main scanning and sub scanning directions.
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 cap device effectively corrects the position of caps in the main scanning direction, ensuring reliable capping and preventing nozzle clogging and air bubble incorporation, enhancing the operational efficiency of inkjet printers.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device connected to the cap device sucks the air in the hermetically closed space. As a result, the pressure in the hermetically closed space becomes a negative pressure, and thus the ink and the air bubbles are discharged from the inkjet nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A cap device includes a first table provided so as not to be movable in a main scanning direction with respect to a base member; a first cap provided on the first table; a first guide member which has a first contact surface directed leftward and is provided on the first table; a second table provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction with respect to the base member; a second cap provided on the second table; a second guide member which has a second contact surface directed leftward and is provided on the second table; a third guide member which has a third contact surface facing the first contact surface and is provided on a first ink head unit; and a fourth guide member which has a fourth contact surface facing the second contact surface and is provided on a second ink head unit. The first, second, third and fourth guide members are located such that when a carriage moves rightward, the second contact surface and the fourth contact surface contact each other and after this, the first contact surface and the third contact surface contact each other.