Inkjet Recording Head Temperature Control via Periodic Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink adhesion to discharge port surfaces, leading to discharge failures and reduced recording head life due to temperature rise, which also affects image quality and recording speed.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet recording apparatus with a temperature detection unit and a cleaning unit that controls the wiping mechanism based on the recording head's temperature to suppress temperature rise, promoting heat dissipation and extending the recording head's life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wiping operation is performed frequently to remove ink adhesion, then discharge port cleanliness is improved, but recording head temperature rises and head life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge port cleanlinessVSAvoidrecording head life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary wiping actions at predetermined intervals during recording operations, proactively removing ink adhesion before it causes discharge failures, rather than waiting for problems to occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit executes wiping operations periodically at predetermined intervals during recording, creating a rhythmic cleaning cycle that maintains discharge port cleanliness without continuous contact that would overheat the head

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Temperature

If a standby time is provided to cool the recording head, then temperature rise is suppressed, but recording speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording head temperatureVSAvoidrecording speed

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous recording operations without interrupting for standby cooling periods, achieving uninterrupted productive action while the wiping mechanism handles temperature management through periodic contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The recording head cools itself through natural heat dissipation during continuous operation, eliminating the need for external cooling interventions or standby periods that would reduce productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the wiping mechanism contacts the discharge port surface continuously, then ink adhesion is prevented, but temperature rising of the recording head increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink discharge performanceVSAvoidrecording head temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The wiping mechanism operates periodically at predetermined intervals rather than continuously, creating on-off cycles that maintain cleaning effectiveness while allowing heat dissipation during non-contact periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs wiping actions at predetermined intervals during recording operations, proactively preventing ink adhesion buildup before it affects discharge performance, rather than requiring continuous contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution effectively reduces temperature and prevents ink adhesion, thereby extending the recording head's life, maintaining recording speed, and ensuring image quality by strategically controlling the wiping mechanism's contact with the recording head.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning unit configured to make contact with the recording head to clean the discharge port surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a temperature detection unit configured to detect temperature of the recording head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 3

controls whether to make the cleaning unit contact the discharge port surface based on the temperature of the recording head... promoting heat dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS9289996B2Inkjet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 CANON KK

AI summary

An inkjet recording apparatus that suppresses temperature rising of a recording head to decrease standby time when the recording head is high in temperature, thereby reducing a drop in recording speed and degradation in image quality. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to have a discharge port surface in which a discharge port for discharging ink is formed, a temperature sensor configured to detect temperature of the recording head, and a cleaning unit configured to make contact with the recording head to clean the discharge port surface. The inkjet recording apparatus controls whether to make the cleaning unit contact the discharge port surface based on the recording head temperature detected by the temperature sensor.