Inkjet Head and Cap Integration for Compact Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing apparatuses require two motors, one for the inkjet head and one for the nozzle cap, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for separate motor-driven mechanisms for adjusting the gap between the inkjet head and the platen.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a liquid ejection head that moves forward and backward with respect to a facing portion, where the cap portion is positioned to cover the liquid ejection surface, eliminating the need for a separate motor to drive the cap portion by integrating its movement with the liquid ejection head's motor-driven movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate motor is added to drive the nozzle cap independently, then the cap can be positioned independently to cover the head surface, but the apparatus size and cost increase due to additional motor-driven mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving mechanism of the inkjet head with the cap portion by making the cap portion movable along with the inkjet head through a single motor. This merging eliminates the need for a separate motor to drive the cap portion, thereby reducing apparatus size and cost while maintaining the capability to cover the head surface effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The single motor that drives the inkjet head also serves to move the cap portion, making the motor multi-functional. This universal use of the motor reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall apparatus structure without compromising the independent positioning capability of the cap
2Device complexity
If the cap portion is integrated to move with the liquid ejection head, then the apparatus size and cost are reduced, but the independent positioning capability of the cap may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cap portion is designed to be movable along with the inkjet head, allowing dynamic adjustment of the cap's position relative to the head surface. This dynamic configuration enables the cap to adapt to different recording conditions while being driven by the same motor, maintaining versatility without independent motor control
Solution Approach 2:
The cap portion is segmented to be movable relative to the facing portion, allowing it to be positioned at different locations including a cap position where it covers the liquid ejection surface. This segmentation enables the cap to achieve effective coverage at specific positions while moving integrally with the head during recording operations
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a liquid ejection head that performs recording by ejecting a liquid onto a medium, a facing portion disposed to face the liquid ejection head, and a cap portion that covers a liquid ejection surface of the liquid ejection head, and an opening portion is formed in the facing portion, the cap portion is disposed at a position that is on the inner side of the opening portion and faces the liquid ejection surface, the liquid ejection head is movable in a direction in which the liquid ejection head moves forward and backward with respect to the facing portion by power of a motor, and a movement region of the liquid ejection head includes a recording position at which recording is performed on the medium, and a cap position at which the liquid ejection surface is covered by the cap portion.