Inkjet Head Cleaning Liquid Supply Mesh Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with contamination and damage due to the proximity of the cleaning liquid supply member to the nozzle surface, as sheets passing under the inkjet head may come into contact with the cleaning liquid, leading to contamination or damage to the supply member, and there is a need to securely hold the cleaning liquid to prevent it from falling.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a cleaning liquid supply member with a mesh member inside the supply hole, which has a mesh size smaller than the opening, ensuring the cleaning liquid is held and preventing it from coming into contact with sheets, and a blade that moves in contact with the nozzle surface to wipe off ink, with the cleaning liquid being supplied through a mechanism that prevents accidental contact during printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cleaning liquid supply member is provided adjacent to the nozzle surface, then the cleaning liquid can be supplied effectively to the blade, but the sheet may come into contact with the cleaning liquid supply member causing contamination or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid supply reliabilityVSAvoidsheet contamination and supply member damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mesh member is introduced as an intermediary between the cleaning liquid supply hole and the external environment. The mesh member has openings that allow cleaning liquid to pass through to the blade while preventing sheets from contacting the supply member. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by enabling effective cleaning liquid supply while blocking harmful sheet contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cleaning liquid supply member is provided adjacent to the nozzle surface, then the cleaning liquid can be supplied effectively, but the cleaning liquid may fall from the supply member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid supply reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning liquid loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh member acts as a flexible thin film structure that covers the supply hole opening. It allows cleaning liquid to pass through while preventing uncontrolled dripping or falling of cleaning liquid. The mesh structure provides both filtration and containment functions, ensuring reliable supply while minimizing loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the mesh size of the mesh member is smaller than the opening, then the cleaning liquid can be held securely, but the mesh member may clog more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning liquid containment reliabilityVSAvoidmesh member clogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh member has non-uniform mesh sizes with different regions serving different functions. Some areas have smaller mesh sizes to hold cleaning liquid securely, while other areas have larger openings to resist clogging. This local quality variation allows the single mesh member to simultaneously achieve both containment reliability and clogging resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively prevents contamination of sheets and damage to the cleaning liquid supply member by ensuring the cleaning liquid is contained and securely held, while allowing for efficient ink removal from the nozzle surface without interfering with the printing process.

Implementation Method 1

securely hold the cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid tank to the cleaning liquid supply member so as not to fall from the cleaning liquid supply member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

a mesh member provided inside an opening of the supply hole and having a mesh size smaller than the opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

the blade is moved from the moving start position to the moving end position while in contact with the nozzle surface, so that the ink adhered on the nozzle surface is wiped off by the blade

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20240359469A1Inkjet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head, a blade and a cleaning liquid supply member. The inkjet head is provided with a nozzle surface on which ink ejection ports of a plurality of nozzles are opened. The blade is movable in contact with the nozzle surface. The cleaning liquid supply member supplies a cleaning liquid to at least one of the nozzle surface and the blade. The cleaning liquid supply member includes a supply hole through which the cleaning liquid is discharged, and a mesh member provided inside an opening of the supply hole and having a mesh size smaller than the opening.