Inkjet Head Wiper Cleaning Sequence for Ejection Misdirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink jet recording methods face issues with ejection misdirection when using an ink containing a pigment and a resin, especially after the protective tape is peeled from the recording head, leading to decreased image quality and increased adhesion of ink droplets to the ejection orifice surface over time.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method that includes a first cleaning sequence using a blade-shaped wiper to wipe the ejection orifice surface, comprising a first wiping step where the wiper is bent to spread and blend the ink droplet with the adhesive, followed by a second wiping step where the wiper's edge removes the adhesive mixture, effectively preventing ejection misdirection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective tape including an adhesion layer formed from an adhesive is bonded to an ejection orifice surface to close the ejection orifice and suppress ink evaporation, then ink evaporation is suppressed, but ejection misdirection occurs immediately after peeling the protective tape when using aqueous ink containing pigment and resin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary cleaning action by introducing a cleaning device that activates before or during the first recording operation after protective tape removal. The cleaning member pre-cleans the ejection orifice surface to remove adhesive residues before they cause ejection misdirection, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining sealed storage (preventing evaporation) and ensuring clean ejection surfaces (preventing misdirection).
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member acts as an intermediary between the protective tape removal and the recording process. It mediates the transition by removing adhesive residues that would otherwise directly cause ejection misdirection, allowing the system to benefit from both protective sealing during storage and accurate ejection during recording.
2Productivity
If recording is performed for a long period using aqueous ink containing pigment and resin, then full-color document recording capability is maintained, but adhesion amount of ink droplet to ejection orifice surface increases causing increased ejection misdirection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous cleaning action through the cleaning device that operates periodically or continuously during the recording process. This ensures that ink droplet adhesion is continuously managed throughout long-period recording operations, maintaining ejection accuracy while sustaining full-color document recording capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device provides feedback-based maintenance by detecting or responding to accumulation conditions on the ejection orifice surface. The system adjusts cleaning frequency or intensity based on recording duration and ink usage, preventing adhesion buildup that would cause ejection misdirection while maintaining productive recording operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ejection orifice surface is made water-repellent to prevent ink adhesion, then ejection accuracy is improved, but adhesive from protective tape may not be properly removed after peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces reliance on purely mechanical adhesive removal (peeling force) with a chemical or surface-based cleaning mechanism. The cleaning member uses chemical interaction or surface properties to remove adhesive residues that mechanical peeling cannot eliminate, thus maintaining both water-repellent surface properties and complete adhesive removal capability.
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 method effectively suppresses ejection misdirection immediately after peeling the protective tape and reduces the occurrence of misdirection even after long-period use, maintaining image quality and reducing ink adhesion issues.
Implementation Method 1
wiping the ejection orifice surface with a body portion of a first wiper that is largely bent, and then wiping the ejection orifice surface with an edge part of a second wiper
Implementation Method 2
the ejection orifice surface being subjected to water-repellent treatment
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording method with which, even when a recording head in which a protective tape is bonded to an ejection orifice surface which is a water-repellent surface is used, occurrence of ejection misdirection of an ink is suppressed, and the ejection misdirection hardly occurs even after long-period use. The ink jet recording method includes recording an image through use of an ink jet recording apparatus including a wiping unit for an ejection orifice surface subjected to water-repellent treatment. A protective tape to be peeled at the time of use is bonded to the ejection orifice surface. The method includes a first cleaning sequence of wiping the ejection orifice surface through use of one wiper having a blade shape, the first cleaning sequence including a first wiping step and a second wiping step.