Inkjet Cleaning Device Liquid Supplier Uniform Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in properly supplying cleaning liquid to cleaning members, leading to uneven wetting and mist formation, which affects the cleaning efficiency and print quality due to the inability to adjust the liquid amount based on residual ink viscosity and particle size.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a liquid supplier that includes multiple holders on its surface, allowing for different liquid amounts to be held, enabling adjustable liquid supply to the cleaning member through varying pressure contact, ensuring even wetting and effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sprayer is used to spray cleaning liquid onto a cleaning member, then the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the nozzle surface, but the spraying causes unevenness and makes it difficult to evenly wet the cleaning member, and furthermore causes mist to fly and fall on other members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cleaning liquid supply member as an intermediary between the cleaning liquid source and the cleaning member. This supply member has a liquid holding portion that contacts the cleaning member and supplies cleaning liquid through capillary action, eliminating the need for sprayers and achieving uniform wetting without mist formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical sprayer system with a capillary action-based liquid supply system. By using the liquid holding portion's capillary properties, the system achieves controlled, uniform liquid supply without the unevenness and mist problems associated with mechanical spraying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the amount of cleaning liquid to be supplied is adjusted by changing the force of pressure contact between the liquid holding member and the cleaning member, then the liquid supply amount can be controlled, but in a state in which the liquid holding member and the cleaning member are in contact with each other, liquid held by the application roller is transferred to the cleaning member by means of capillary action, making it not easy to adjust the amount of liquid to be supplied by changing pressure contact force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different regions on the liquid holding portion's contact surface with different liquid holding capacities. The contact surface has a first region with a first liquid holding capacity and a second region with a second liquid holding capacity, allowing different liquid supply rates in different areas without complex pressure control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid holding portion's contact surface, specifically the surface roughness or porosity, to create regions with different liquid holding capacities. This allows the liquid supply amount to be adjusted by modifying the surface properties rather than relying on pressure control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a cleaning liquid containing a solvent in which residual ink dissolves is sprayed using a sprayer to wet a cleaning member, then residual ink can be removed from the nozzle surface, but the configuration provides no consideration of the viscosity of the residual ink, making it difficult to properly adjust the cleaning liquid amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid holding portion's contact surface to create regions with different liquid holding capacities. This allows the system to adapt to different residual ink viscosities by selecting appropriate regions for liquid supply, ensuring effective cleaning without needing to adjust the cleaning liquid's chemical composition based on ink viscosity.
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
The solution allows for proper liquid supply to the cleaning member, preventing mist formation and ensuring efficient cleaning by adjusting the liquid amount based on the residual ink's viscosity and particle size, thereby improving print quality.
Implementation Method 1
liquid held by the application roller or the like is transferred to the cleaning member by means of, for example, a capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning device includes: a cleaning member that comes into contact with a cleaning subject member and cleans the cleaning subject member using a liquid; and a liquid supply member that holds the liquid on a surface that is in contact with the cleaning member and supplies the held liquid to the cleaning member via the surface. The liquid supply member includes a plurality of holders that hold a different amount of liquid from each other in the surface.