Inkjet Recording Apparatus Cap Design for Purge Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink clogging and overflow from the cap during purge processing due to ink viscosity increase and drying, leading to waste ink deposition and potential contact with the head.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a nozzle surface, supply port, conveyance unit, first and second moving devices, and a controller to manage the cap and supply port positions, using a cleaning liquid to purge ink from the nozzle surface to the cap, with a recessed cap design and discharge port to prevent ink overflow and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If purge processing is repeated to prevent nozzle clogging, then nozzle reliability is improved, but waste ink overflows from the cap
Solution Approach 1:
A waste ink discharge processing is executed before the purge processing to discharge waste ink accumulated in the cap. This preliminary action prevents the cap from overflowing during subsequent purge operations, allowing repeated purge processing to maintain nozzle reliability without causing waste ink overflow.
2Reliability
If waste ink is discharged to the cap during purge processing, then nozzle cleaning is achieved, but ink dries and deposits on the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The waste ink discharge processing is performed in advance to remove accumulated waste ink from the cap before purge processing discharges additional ink to the cap. This prevents ink from staying and drying on the cap surface, eliminating the harmful deposition effect while maintaining nozzle cleanliness.
3Reliability
If cap covers nozzle surface to prevent drying, then nozzle protection is improved, but cleaning liquid cannot be supplied to nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to be movable, allowing it to be opened when cleaning liquid supply is needed and closed when nozzle protection is required. This dynamic configuration enables the system to switch between protecting the nozzle from drying and allowing cleaning liquid to reach the nozzle surface, resolving the contradiction between moisture protection and cleaning accessibility.
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 effectively prevents ink overflow and drying in the cap, maintaining nozzle functionality and preventing ink contact with the head, ensuring reliable operation during image forming and maintenance processes.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning liquid supply part having a supply port, and a controller to control the inkjet head, wherein the controller causes the cleaning liquid to flow from the supply port
Implementation Method 2
A liquid is ejected from the nozzle surface
Implementation Method 3
a cap having a recessed part whose upper surface is opened and a discharge port through which the liquid dropped in the recessed part is discharged
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a nozzle surface, a supply port, a conveyance unit, a first moving device, a cap, a second moving device and a controller. The supply port supplies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the nozzle surface. The cap has a recessed part whose upper surface is opened and a discharge port through which the liquid dropped in the recessed part is discharged. The controller controls the first moving device to arrange the nozzle surface and the conveyance unit in a retreat position, then controls the second moving device to arrange the cap, the nozzle surface and the supply port in a covering position, then controls such that the cleaning liquid is discharged from the supply port to the cap, and then controls such that the ink is purged from the nozzle surface to the cap.