Inkjet Head Jam Prevention via Sheet Pushers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses often face issues with recording media becoming jammed between the inkjet head and the conveyor mechanism, leading to the media being irreversibly attached to the ejection surface if not promptly removed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs sheet pushers and a control unit to detect jams, move the recording medium to the conveyor mechanism's facing region, and adjust the suction force to detach and prevent reattachment, ensuring the medium is not left on the ejection surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the recording medium is conveyed between the inkjet head and conveyor mechanism, then the image formation process is completed, but the recording medium may become jammed and attached to the ejection surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet pusher is positioned in advance between the inkjet head and conveyor mechanism to proactively push the recording medium away from the ejection surface before jamming can occur. This preliminary action prevents the attachment problem while maintaining continuous operation for efficient image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet pusher acts as an intermediary component between the inkjet head and conveyor mechanism, mediating the interaction by actively pushing the recording medium to prevent direct attachment to the ejection surface, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining contact for printing and preventing jamming.
2Ease of operation
If the recording medium is left attached to the ejection surface for a long period, then the medium becomes irreversibly attached, but frequent intervention increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet pusher operates automatically upon detection of a jammed medium, performing the removal action without requiring manual intervention. The system detects the problem and executes the resolution autonomously, maintaining ease of operation while managing the complexity through automated self-service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives feedback about the recording medium's position and attachment status, then activates the sheet pusher when jamming is detected. This feedback loop enables automatic detection and resolution of jams, balancing ease of operation with manageable device complexity through intelligent control.
3Force
If the sheet pusher is positioned close to the ejection surface, then effective pushing force is achieved, but the risk of damaging the ejection surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet pusher is designed with localized contact features that concentrate the pushing force only on the recording medium at the point of contact, while the broader ejection surface remains unaffected. This local quality approach ensures effective pushing force is applied precisely where needed without distributing harmful forces across the entire ejection surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet pusher's position and contact parameters are optimized to achieve sufficient pushing force on the recording medium while maintaining a safe distance or contact configuration that prevents damage to the ejection surface. By carefully controlling the interaction parameters between the pusher, medium, and ejection surface, both force effectiveness and surface protection are achieved.
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
Effectively prevents recording media from being left attached to the ejection surfaces, allowing for easy removal of jams and maintaining printer functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a suction mechanism which adheres a recording medium to a conveyor surface by applying suction force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: one or more inkjet heads each having an ejection surface having a plurality of ejection openings formed thereon; and a conveyor mechanism which has a facing region facing the one or more ejection surfaces, and conveys a recording medium placed on the facing region. The inkjet recording apparatus further includes one or more moving mechanisms. Each of the one or more moving mechanisms includes a medium pusher which pushes down a recording medium towards the facing region. The each of the one or more moving mechanisms causes the medium pusher to move between a first position and a second position. The first position is such a position where a distance between the medium pusher and the facing region is further than the distance between the facing region and the ejection surfaces. The second position is such a position where the medium pusher contacts the facing region.