Inkjet Cap Segmentation for Easy Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with caps sticking to recording heads due to improved sealing requirements, necessitating a solution to easily separate the cap and recording head with minimal force.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cap with a first and second contact portion, a cap holder rotatably supported by a base, and a moving mechanism that allows the cap to be easily brought into and away from the ejection orifice surface, utilizing a second contact portion positioned on the cap holder's rotational axis side to facilitate separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If caps are more tightly brought into contact with ejection orifice surfaces to improve sealing performance, then sealing performance is improved, but the caps more strongly stick to the recording heads requiring larger force to remove them
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two distinct contact portions: a first contact portion that seals the ejection orifices and a second contact portion that contacts the ejection orifice surface at a position closer to the rotational axis. This segmentation allows the sealing function and the easy-removal function to be spatially separated, resolving the contradiction between strong sealing and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire cap surface contact the ejection orifice surface for sealing, the invention inverts the approach by placing the second contact portion closer to the rotational axis that will be used for removal. This inverted positioning of the contact portion facilitates easy removal while the first contact portion maintains sealing performance.
2Reliability
If caps are made of elastomer materials to ensure sealing performance, then sealing performance is improved, but the caps may stick to the recording head depending on materials and storage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two distinct contact portions: a first contact portion that seals the ejection orifices and a second contact portion that contacts the ejection orifice surface at a position closer to the rotational axis. This segmentation allows the sealing function and the easy-removal function to be spatially separated, resolving the contradiction between strong sealing and easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The second contact portion acts as an intermediary element that facilitates easy removal. By contacting the ejection orifice surface at a position closer to the rotational axis, it creates a pivot point that reduces the force and effort needed to separate the cap from the recording head, mediating between the sealing requirement and the ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus that enables a cap and a recording head stuck together to be easily separated is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus has a rotatably supported cap holder retaining a cap for covering ejection orifices in a recording head, and an actuator that moves the cap holder to bring the cap into contact with and away from the recording head. A first contact portion configured to seal an ejection orifice row and a second contact portion connected to the outer surface of the first contact portion and configured to be pressed against the ejection orifice surface are provided on a surface of the cap to be brought into contact with the ejection orifice surface. The actuator acts on the cap holder at a position to the second contact portion side of the rotational axis of the cap holder.