Inkjet Recording Head Cleaning Cap with Overflow Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink solidification on ink ejection surfaces of inkjet recording apparatuses leads to ejection failures, and existing cleaning methods are inadequate in preventing ink leakage and maintaining ink ejection performance.
Innovation Solution
A cap with a cleaning liquid supply system and a liquid level adjusting mechanism that controls the cleaning liquid level to contact the ink ejection surface without overflowing, preventing ink leakage and maintaining ink ejection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning liquid level is increased to ensure contact with the ink ejection surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cleaning liquid leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with a localized overflow outlet at a specific height that corresponds to the ink ejection surface level. This creates a local quality difference where the cap body can hold cleaning liquid at a higher level for effective contact, while the overflow outlet prevents excessive liquid from leaking. The overflow outlet is positioned to allow cleaning liquid to escape only when it reaches the appropriate level, maintaining effective contact without causing harmful leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow outlet functions as a passive feedback mechanism that automatically regulates the cleaning liquid level. When the cleaning liquid level rises above the overflow outlet, gravity causes the excess liquid to drain out, providing negative feedback that prevents overfilling and leakage. This self-regulating system ensures the cleaning liquid maintains optimal contact with the ink ejection surface without requiring active control mechanisms.
2Ease of repair
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then ink solidification is removed, but ink ejection performance deteriorates due to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The cap structure incorporates an overflow outlet at a precise location and height that corresponds to the ink ejection surface. This local quality design allows the cleaning liquid to effectively contact and dissolve ink solidification on the ink ejection surface, while simultaneously preventing excessive liquid from reaching levels that would cause leakage and damage to the ink ejection performance.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head, a cap, a cleaning liquid supply portion, a supply port, and a liquid level adjusting portion. The cleaning liquid supply portion supplies a cleaning liquid to a closed space between an ink ejection surface of the recording head and the cap. The liquid level adjusting portion adjusts a liquid level of the cleaning liquid in the closed space so that a liquid surface of the cleaning liquid stored in the closed space contacts the ink ejection surface and so that the cleaning liquid is prevented from leaking out of the closed space.