Inkjet Maintenance Mesh for Waste Liquid Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet print devices face issues with nozzle clogging due to quick-drying pigment-based liquids, leading to defective print quality and contamination risks from liquid fog during maintenance, as existing maintenance devices are ineffective in fast evacuation of waste liquid and prone to splashing, which can contaminate the device and pose inhalation hazards.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance device featuring a mesh system with a liquid spreading mesh and a waste liquid receiver, where the mesh system efficiently spreads and evacuates waste liquid to the receiver, minimizing contamination and inhalation risks, and a porous substrate on top to prevent splashes and fog, with a sloping bottom for improved evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a maintenance device uses a traditional waste liquid receiver without a mesh system, then the structure is simple, but the waste liquid is not evacuated quickly and forms dried residues that contaminate the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a mesh system with porous substrate in the waste liquid receiver to rapidly absorb and evacuate waste liquid. The porous structure provides large surface area and capillary action for fast liquid uptake, preventing dried residue formation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mesh system that adds a dimensional structure to the waste liquid receiver, transforming it from a simple container to a multi-layered evacuation system with improved liquid handling capabilities without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a maintenance device uses traditional waste liquid reception without mesh system, then the device structure is simple, but liquid fog is not evacuated easily causing contamination and inhalation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate in the mesh system rapidly absorbs liquid fog and waste liquid, preventing their escape into the environment. This reduces contamination and inhalation risks while the mesh structure itself remains a relatively simple addition to the maintenance device.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a maintenance device uses traditional waste liquid receiver, then the structure is simple, but dried liquid residues form stalagmites that contaminate the inkjet print device
Solution Approach 1:
The porous mesh system provides continuous liquid absorption and evacuation capability, preventing the formation of dried stalagmite residues. The high surface area to volume ratio of the porous structure ensures rapid liquid handling that keeps the receiver surface free of dried contaminants.
4Ease of operation
If a maintenance device uses contact member to clean print head, then cleaning function is provided, but scratches are caused to liquid ejection surface reducing print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh system acts as an intermediary between the waste liquid and the print head, providing a non-contact method for liquid reception and evacuation. This eliminates direct mechanical contact that could scratch the liquid ejection surface while still maintaining effective waste liquid management.
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 evacuates waste liquid quickly, reducing contamination and inhalation risks, maintaining print quality and ensuring operator safety by utilizing a mesh system with a liquid spreading mesh and a porous substrate, enhancing the efficiency of the maintenance process.
Implementation Method 1
a mesh system, wherein the mesh system comprises a liquid spreading mesh
Implementation Method 2
a porous substrate on top to prevent splashes and fog
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet print device comprising a maintenance device wherein a mesh system; and a waste liquid receiver are mounted. The liquid is applied during maintenance on the top of the mesh system and a waste liquid receiver receives the liquid dripping from the back of the mesh system. The mesh system is characterized by comprising a liquid spreading mesh.