Inkjet Cap Suction Opening Positioning for Ink Stagnation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses with a single cap for multiple ink colors face issues with uneven ink distribution due to viscosity differences, leading to stagnation and difficulty in removing thickened ink, especially when black ink with higher viscosity is ejected more frequently.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a print head with separate ejection openings for different ink colors, a cap member with an absorber and strategically positioned suction openings to ensure even ink suction, and a maintenance unit for preliminary ejection and suction operations to manage ink flow and prevent stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single cap is used to cap and suction multiple ink colors, then the device complexity is reduced, but ink distribution becomes uneven due to viscosity differences
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member is divided into multiple suction regions, each corresponding to a specific ink color ejection opening. Each suction region has a dedicated suction opening positioned at its center, creating localized quality differences that accommodate the different viscosity characteristics of each ink color. This allows each ink type to be suctioned through an optimized path, preventing uneven distribution while maintaining a unified cap structure.
2Productivity
If preliminary ejection of high viscosity black ink is performed frequently, then productivity is improved, but ink stagnation occurs in the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The suction system is segmented into multiple independent suction openings, each positioned at the center of its corresponding suction region. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential suction of different ink colors through separate paths, preventing the stagnation that would occur with a single centralized suction opening. The segmented structure enables frequent black ink ejection without compromising ink flow reliability.
3Device complexity
If a centralized suction opening is used in the cap, then the device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to remove thickened ink
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single centralized suction opening, the invention provides multiple suction openings distributed across different suction regions. Each suction opening is locally positioned to efficiently access and remove ink from its corresponding region. This local quality approach ensures that thickened ink can be effectively removed from each area, improving maintenance ease while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
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 allows for even suction and removal of all inks from the cap, preventing stagnation and ensuring efficient maintenance of ejection performance across multiple ink colors.
Implementation Method 1
a structure of utilizing capillary force so that ink naturally moves toward a suction opening provided in the center of each cap
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an inkjet printing apparatus having a configuration of capping and sucking an ejection opening surface for ejecting a plurality of types of inks by using one cap member, in which the inks in the cap member can be sucked and removed evenly. To achieved this, a cap member is provided with a suction opening for externally discharging ink absorbed by an absorber in the cap member. The suction opening is formed in a position where the suction opening does not face first ejection openings for ejecting ink that may not easily stagnate and faces the second ejection openings for ejecting ink that may easily stagnate in a case where the cap member caps an ejection opening surface.