Inkjet Recording Head Side Surface Ink Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues where ink rises on the side surfaces of recording heads during cleaning, dries, and may fall onto the recording medium, leading to defects.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of ink holding portions on the side surfaces of the recording heads, comprising a sheet portion and a holding portion, which utilize a capillary phenomenon to retain ink and prevent it from dropping, with the holding portion having a higher water repellency than the side surface and being positioned close to the ink ejection portion to effectively manage ink during wiping operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a water repellent film is formed on the side surface to prevent ink adhesion, then ink adhesion is reduced, but ink may still rise and dry on the side surface, potentially falling onto the recording medium
Solution Approach 1:
An ink holding portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the side surface and the recording medium. This holding portion acts as a buffer zone that captures ink before it can reach the recording medium, effectively decoupling the ink adhesion problem from the reliability requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional water repellent film coating to a three-dimensional ink holding portion structure. By adding the vertical dimension with the holding portion extending from the side surface, the system gains the capability to contain ink in a controlled manner rather than merely repelling it
2Reliability
If the ink holding portion is positioned close to the ink ejection portion, then ink retention is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ink holding portion is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sheet portion for flexibility and a holding portion for ink containment. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and managing complexity
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 ink from dropping onto the recording medium during cleaning, ensuring reliable operation by utilizing capillary action and elastic deformation to manage ink flow and retention.
Implementation Method 1
The holding portion is located at a lower end portion of the sheet portion on the ink ejection portion side, is disposed to come into contact with or close to the side surface, and is configured to hold the ink in an adjacent region with respect to the ink ejection portion
Implementation Method 2
a second water repellent film in which a contact angle with respect to water is larger by 10° or more than that of the first water repellent film is formed on a side surface
Data Source
AI summary
A recording head includes an ink ejection portion and an ink holding portion. The ink holding portion includes a sheet portion and a holding portion. The sheet portion has an upper end side fixed to the ink ejection portion and a lower end side movable in a direction of coming closer to or separating away from a side surface of the ink ejection portion. The holding portion is located at a lower end portion of the sheet portion on the ink ejection portion side, is disposed to come into contact with or close to the side surface of the ink ejection portion, and is configured to hold an ink in an adjacent region with respect to the ink ejection portion.