Inkjet Head Cleaning Device Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining effective head cleaning performance due to temperature variations of the cleaning member and ambient temperature, leading to incomplete ink removal and nozzle clogging, which affects image quality.
Innovation Solution
A head cleaning device with a hardware processor that controls the cleaning operation by maintaining contact between the inkjet head nozzle surface and the cleaning member until the nozzle surface reaches a predetermined temperature threshold, ensuring effective cleaning regardless of temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface for head cleaning, then the ink adhering to the nozzle surface can be removed, but the temperature of the nozzle surface decreases causing ink viscosity increase and preventing complete ink removal
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is activated before the cleaning member contacts the nozzle surface to preheat the nozzle surface. This preliminary heating action ensures that the nozzle surface temperature is maintained at a level that prevents ink viscosity increase during cleaning, allowing effective ink removal. The controller coordinates the timing so the heater starts heating in advance of the cleaning operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater continues to operate during the entire cleaning process to maintain continuous heating of the nozzle surface. This ensures that the temperature does not drop even when the cleaning member is in contact with the nozzle surface, allowing the cleaning operation to proceed effectively without interruption or temperature-related failures.
2Productivity
If the temperature of the inkjet head is raised to adjust ink viscosity before ejection, then the ink can be ejected properly, but the temperature decreases during cleaning operation causing ink to thicken and clog nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors the temperature of the inkjet head and adjusts the heater power accordingly. When the temperature drops during cleaning operation, the controller increases heater power to compensate and maintain the temperature above the threshold that prevents ink thickening. This feedback control ensures both proper ink ejection viscosity and prevention of nozzle clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating parameter (heater power) based on the operational phase. During cleaning operation, the heater power is increased compared to normal ejection operation to compensate for the temperature drop caused by the cleaning member contact. This parameter adjustment maintains the nozzle surface temperature in the range that prevents ink thickening and clogging.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning member temperature or ambient temperature changes, then the amount of temperature decrease of the nozzle surface varies, but conventional methods cannot properly clean when temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously monitors the nozzle surface temperature and adjusts the heater power in real-time based on the actual temperature condition. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to different cleaning member temperatures and ambient temperatures, maintaining effective cleaning by compensating for any temperature drop regardless of the initial conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system operates dynamically, adjusting its power output based on the thermal conditions. The controller modulates the heater power during cleaning operation to maintain the nozzle surface temperature above the critical threshold, making the cleaning process effective across a range of ambient and cleaning member temperatures.
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
This approach ensures consistent cleaning performance and prevents ink clogging, maintaining image quality even when the temperature of the cleaning member or ambient temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
each inkjet head is heated by a heater in the inkjet head to raise the temperature of the ink to adjust it to a viscosity suitable for ejection
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of the inkjet head surface (nozzle surface) held at about 80° C. decreases to about 60° C. when the cleaning member is brought into contact with the nozzle surface
Data Source
AI summary
A head cleaning device includes: a cleaning member that comes into contact with a nozzle surface of an inkjet head from which ink is ejected, and performs a cleaning operation of cleaning the nozzle surface; and a hardware processor that controls the cleaning operation, wherein the hardware processor brings the nozzle surface of the inkjet head heated and the cleaning member into contact with each other, the hardware processor maintains the contact until a temperature of the nozzle surface that has decreased to a temperature below a threshold due to the cleaning member being brought into contact therewith reaches a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold, and the hardware processor controls the cleaning operation after the temperature of the nozzle surface has reached a temperature equal to or higher than the threshold.