Inkjet Head Cap Vertical Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printing apparatuses require significant space for head cap movement, have complex maintenance operations, and experience ink discharge issues due to height differences between inkjet heads and subtanks, leading to printing quality problems.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a lift mechanism for inkjet head holders, a head cap holder moving mechanism with bearings and guide plates, and a subtank lift device that synchronizes with inkjet head movement, allowing for efficient space use, simplified maintenance, and consistent ink discharge by moving head caps and subtanks in tandem with inkjet heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If head caps are moved laterally using a holding lever, then the inkjet heads are protected during standby, but a large space is required for head cap movement and withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the movement dimension of head caps from lateral (horizontal) to vertical. The head cap holder moves vertically along guide rails to position head caps above or below the inkjet heads, eliminating the need for lateral movement space while maintaining protection functionality during standby and enabling quick withdrawal during printing.
2Productivity
If multiple inkjet head rows are arranged in the transport direction, then printing efficiency is improved, but the head cap holder area increases requiring further enlarged space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges multiple head cap holders vertically stacked along the transport direction, corresponding to multiple inkjet head rows. This vertical stacking configuration allows multiple head caps to be positioned compactly without increasing the lateral footprint, maintaining printing efficiency while minimizing space occupation.
3Reliability
If nozzle heads are moved to wiping position and then to ink receiving member wiping position, then cleaning is performed, but the construction around nozzle heads becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the wiper carrier and ink receiving member into a single integrated assembly that moves together. The wiper carrier is positioned to wipe inkjet heads during their vertical movement between standby and printing positions, eliminating the need for separate wiping positions and reducing construction complexity while maintaining cleaning functionality.
4Reliability
If nozzle heads undergo complicated positioning operations moving upward and downward, then maintenance is performed, but the positioning operation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs wiping operations during the routine vertical movement of inkjet heads between standby and printing positions, rather than requiring separate maintenance positioning operations. The wiper carrier is activated during normal position transitions, making maintenance a byproduct of regular operations and improving positioning efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus 100 includes an inkjet head holder 11 holding inkjet heads 2, and a pair of head cap holders 12 and 13 holding head caps 3. When the inkjet head holder 11 is in a raised position, the head cap holders 12 and 13 are arranged as horizontally juxtaposed in a capping position, where the respective inkjet heads 2 and the respective head caps 3 are opposed to each other, below the inkjet head holder 11. When the inkjet head holder 11 is in a lowered position, the head cap holders 12 and 13 are arranged as vertically superposed in a withdrawn position laterally of a vertical movement area of the inkjet head holder 11.