Ink-jet Recording Apparatus Cap Unit and Wipe Unit Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in effectively preventing nozzle clogging and drying during long periods of inactivity, as conventional cap and wipe mechanisms require complex movement mechanisms and may not adequately protect the recording heads from foreign substances.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cap unit and wipe unit that reciprocate between positions, with a unit ascending/descending mechanism using wires and pulleys to facilitate horizontal and vertical movement, and a lid member to protect the cap unit from dust, allowing for efficient capping and recovery operations while minimizing mechanical complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cap unit with horizontal and ascending/descending movement mechanisms is used, then the recording head can be capped to prevent drying, but the device complexity increases due to multiple movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cap unit and wipe unit into a single integrated assembly that moves together horizontally and vertically. This merging eliminates the need for separate movement mechanisms for each unit, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to cap the recording head effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cap and wipe unit serves multiple functions: it caps the recording head to prevent drying, wipes the nozzle surface to remove dried ink, and both operations are performed by a single mechanism that moves to predetermined positions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and mechanisms required
2Ease of operation
If the cap unit is moved between opposed and retracted positions, then capping operation is enabled, but the mechanical structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal movement mechanism moves both the cap unit and wipe unit simultaneously to the retracted position, eliminating the need for separate horizontal movement mechanisms for each unit. This reduces mechanical complexity while enabling the capping operation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid member is added to protect the cap unit from foreign substances, then the protection effectiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid member is disposed to cover the cap unit in advance before the cap unit moves to the recording head position. This preliminary protective action prevents foreign substances from contaminating the cap unit surface, ensuring effective capping operation without requiring complex protective mechanisms during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lid member is a simple, inexpensive component that provides effective protection. Rather than using complex protective mechanisms, a straightforward lid structure suffices to prevent contamination, aligning with the principle of using simple, effective solutions
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 ensures effective capping and recovery of the recording heads, prevents nozzle clogging, and reduces the risk of image defects by maintaining a clean environment, while also simplifying the mechanical design and reducing the risk of component failure.
Implementation Method 1
The unit ascending/descending mechanism includes a plurality of wires each having one end thereof attached to a lower unit that is one of the cap unit and the wipe unit which is disposed below the other when at the second position, a pair of winding pulleys to which the other end of each of the plurality of wires is attached and that wind the plurality of wires, and a winding drive source that drives the pair of winding pulleys to rotate
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus of the present disclosure includes a recording portion, a cap unit, a wipe unit, and a lid member. The recording portion has a recording head. The cap unit is capable of reciprocating between a first position directly below the recording portion and a second position that is retracted in a horizontal direction from the first position, and has a cap portion that caps the recording head when at the first position. The wipe unit performs a recovery process with respect to the recording head. At the second position, the lid member is disposed above the cap unit and comes into tight contact with the cap portion.