Inkjet Recording Head Cap and Wipe Unit Vertical Reciprocating Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses of the line-head type face challenges in arranging cap and wipe units due to the large size of the recording head, making it difficult to integrate them into a single carriage, which complicates the capping and recovering processes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cap unit and a wipe unit that can reciprocate between two positions, with a wipe moving mechanism for horizontal movement and a wipe lifting mechanism for vertical movement, allowing the cap unit to cap the recording head while the wipe unit performs a recovering process, and vice versa, enabling efficient capping and recovering without requiring separate mechanisms for each unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cap unit and wipe unit are arranged in the same carriage, then the structure is compact and simple, but this becomes difficult to achieve in line-head type inkjet recording apparatuses due to the large size of the recording head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the maintenance functions into separate units: a cap unit for capping the recording head and a wipe unit for performing recovering processes. These units can operate independently and are not required to be integrated in the same carriage, allowing each unit to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical movement capability to the wipe unit through a wipe lifting mechanism, allowing it to move between a first position (for recovering processes) and a second position (retracted). This adds a vertical dimension to the maintenance system, enabling the wipe unit to access the recording head from below without requiring horizontal space in the same carriage as the cap unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate cap moving mechanism and wipe moving mechanism are provided, then each unit can be optimized for its function, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wipe unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of performing both recovering processes (when at the first position) and serving as part of the maintenance system (when at the second position). This universal design allows the wipe unit to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for entirely separate dedicated mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic positioning where the wipe unit can move between a first position (extended horizontally for recovering processes) and a second position (retracted). This dynamic capability allows the same physical unit to serve different functional purposes at different times, optimizing functional independence without requiring permanently separate static mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the wipe unit moves horizontally from the second position to the first position, then it can perform recovering process, but the cap unit must be left at the second position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the maintenance operations into distinct phases: capping operation (where both units are at the first position) and recovering process (where only the wipe unit is at the first position). This segmentation allows the wipe unit to access the recording head for recovering processes without requiring the cap unit to be in the way, simplifying the coordination between units.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap unit is designed to cap the recording head before the wipe unit performs recovering processes. This preliminary capping action protects the recording head during the recovering process, allowing the wipe unit to move freely between positions and perform its function without interference from the cap unit.
4Productivity
If the recording head is not capped, then printing can be performed, but drying up or clogging occurs in the ink ejection nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The cap unit is designed to cap the recording head immediately after printing stops, performing a preliminary protective action before drying up or clogging can occur. This timely capping prevents ink from drying in the nozzles during storage or non-printing periods, maintaining nozzle reliability for the next printing session.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a continuous maintenance cycle where the cap unit caps the recording head after each printing session, and the wipe unit performs recovering processes periodically. This continuous action prevents the onset of drying up and clogging, ensuring the recording head remains reliable and ready for continuous printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus of the present disclosure includes a recording portion having a recording head, a cap unit that caps the recording head, a wipe unit that performs a recovering process of the recording head, a wipe moving mechanism that moves the wipe unit in a horizontal direction, and a wipe lifting mechanism that moves the wipe unit in an up-down direction. In a case where capping is performed with respect to the recording head by means of the cap unit, the cap unit is moved to the first position by means of the wipe moving mechanism, with the cap unit located over the wipe unit, and then the cap unit is lifted up by means of the wipe lifting mechanism.