Inkjet Maintenance Device Inclined Ink Receiver Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face issues with ink stagnation and contamination due to the small amount of scraped ink not flowing properly in the ink receiver, leading to potential contamination and odor problems.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance device with an ink receiver featuring a first face and a second face inclined relative to the horizontal plane, where the ejected ink flows on the first face and the scraped ink flows on the second face, with the second face having greater flowability to prevent ink stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If scraped ink is received in the ink receiver, then the ink can be collected, but the ink may stagnate and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The ink receiver is divided into multiple receiving portions (first receiving portion for ejected ink, second receiving portion for scraped ink). Each portion has different inclination angles optimized for its specific function, allowing segmented handling of different ink types to prevent stagnation
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the ink receiver have different local qualities in terms of inclination angle. The first receiving portion has a smaller inclination angle while the second receiving portion has a larger inclination angle, creating locally optimized flow characteristics for each type of ink reception
2Device complexity
If the ink receiver has a single inclined surface, then the structure is simple, but ink flowability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single inclined surface is segmented into multiple inclined surfaces with different angles. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for specific ink flow requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle parameter is varied across different portions of the ink receiver. By changing this geometric parameter, the patent optimizes ink flowability without adding complex mechanical components or active control systems
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 design effectively prevents ink from remaining in the ink receiver, reducing contamination and odor issues within the inkjet recording device by ensuring the scraped ink flows downward without residue.
Implementation Method 1
the ink receiver includes a first face and a second face that are each inclined with respect to a horizontal plane
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a maintenance device that performs maintenance of a recording head with a nozzle face on which an opening of a nozzle for ink discharge is provided. The maintenance device includes a scraper that scrapes ink that adheres to the nozzle face, and an ink receiver that receives ejected ink that is ejected through the nozzle and scraped ink that is scraped off by the scraper. The ink receiver includes a first face and a second face that are each inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The ink receiver receives the ejected ink at least on the first face of the first face and the second face, and receives the scraped ink on the second face. A flowability of ink on the second face is greater than a flowability of ink on the second face.