Inkjet Head Maintenance Layout for Compact Nozzle Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with nozzle clogging due to moisture loss, solidification of ink, and entry of paper dust or air bubbles, leading to ejection failures, and existing cleaning mechanisms increase the apparatus size in the sheet width direction.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus design that incorporates a maintenance unit with a cap tray and cleaning tray, allowing for compact arrangement by moving them independently in the sheet width direction, and includes cleaning mechanisms with a cleaning liquid applying unit, wiper, and suction unit to recover ejection performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cleaning mechanism and cap are arranged side by side in the sheet width direction and move integrally, then the cleaning function is provided, but the apparatus dimension in the sheet width direction becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism and cap are separated into independent movable units that can move independently in the sheet width direction, allowing them to be positioned at different locations rather than being integrated side by side, thus reducing the overall apparatus width while maintaining cleaning functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is configured to move vertically in the sheet width direction to overlap with the cleaning mechanism's movement path, utilizing the vertical dimension of the sheet width direction to arrange components without increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus
2Reliability
If the cleaning mechanism is provided to clean the nozzle surface, then ejection performance is recovered, but the apparatus structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning mechanism integrates multiple cleaning functions (cleaning liquid application, wiper cleaning, and suction) into a single movable unit, allowing one mechanism to perform multiple cleaning operations on the nozzle surface rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism is designed to automatically clean the nozzle surface through its integrated cleaning liquid applying unit, wiper, and suction unit without requiring external intervention or additional complex maintenance systems
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
Prevents the apparatus from becoming larger in size while effectively addressing nozzle clogging and ejection failures through efficient cleaning and maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suction unit configured to apply negative pressure to a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a wiper configured to remove liquid from a nozzle
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising a plurality of ejection heads configured to include ejection port surfaces in which ejection ports for ejecting liquid are arranged; a plurality of caps configured to be moved by a cap tray to a capping position where the respective ejection port surfaces are capped, and to an uncapped position where the respective ejection port surfaces are not capped; a plurality of cleaning mechanisms configured to be moved by a cleaning tray, the cleaning tray being configured to move independently of the cap tray, to a cleaning position where the ejection heads are cleaned, and to a standby position where the ejection heads are not cleaned, and a plurality of positioning portions provided on the cap tray and configured to position the respective ejection heads