Ink-jet Cap Segmentation for Miniaturization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The miniaturization of ink-jet recording apparatuses is hindered by the need for a cap with a protrusion to cover the ink ejection surface, which requires additional space for evacuation and movement.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a cap with a first wall that opposes the ejection surface and a second wall that encloses the surroundings, allowing the first wall to move between positions without a protrusion, forming a closed space that reduces the thickness and space required for evacuation, enabling miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap with an annular lip projection is used to cover the ejection surface, then the ejection port is sealed, but the cap thickness increases requiring more evacuation space
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into two separate walls: a first wall that opposes the ejection surface and a second wall that encloses the surroundings. This segmentation eliminates the need for a single thick wall with a protruding lip, as the second wall provides the sealing function separately. The first wall can be thinner since it does not need to include the lip projection, thereby reducing the space required for evacuation while maintaining reliable sealing through the combined structure.
2Volume of moving object
If the first wall is evacuated to the side of the recording head, then the recording apparatus size can be reduced, but the wall requires a protrusion to maintain sealing
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cap into two walls, the protrusion (lip) function is transferred to the second wall rather than being integrated into the first wall. This allows the first wall to be simple and thin without any protrusions, enabling easy evacuation to the side of the recording head. The second wall provides the enclosing and sealing function, eliminating the need for complex protrusion structures on the first wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is moved from the first wall to the second wall, which operates in a different spatial dimension (enclosing surroundings rather than opposing the ejection surface directly). This dimensional separation allows the first wall to be evacuated to the side without requiring protrusions, while the second wall maintains the sealing function from a different spatial perspective.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus may include a recording head comprising an ejection surface, a first wall configured to oppose the ejection surface, and a second wall configured to enclose surroundings of the ejection surface. The ink-jet recording apparatus may include a first wall moving unit which is configured to move the first wall between a first position and a second position. The ink-jet recording apparatus may include a second wall moving unit which is configured to move the second wall between a third position and a fourth position. An attitude of the first wall positioned at the second position and an attitude of the first wall at the first position are different. The first wall positioned at the first position and the second wall positioned at the third position form a closed space which covers the ejection port.