Inkjet Maintenance Apparatus Suction Wiping Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning methods for liquid discharge heads can lead to discharge failures due to mist or paper dust accumulation, and may either push cleaning liquid into nozzles or excessively collect it, resulting in insufficient cleaning and potential image quality reduction in recording systems.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance apparatus with a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning roller with a porous body to apply and remove cleaning liquid from the ink discharge surface, combined with a suction wiping unit to prevent cleaning liquid from entering the nozzles, ensuring effective cleaning without mixing with ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a blade is used to wipe the discharge port surface after applying cleaning liquid, then the cleaning liquid can be removed, but the blade may push the applied cleaning liquid into nozzles causing discharge failures
Solution Approach 1:
A suction unit is introduced as an intermediary between the cleaning liquid application and the nozzle surface. The suction unit removes excess cleaning liquid before it can be pushed into the nozzles by the blade, thus preventing discharge failures while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction unit utilizes pneumatic principles to create negative pressure that actively draws away excess cleaning liquid. This hydraulic/pneumatic removal mechanism prevents the mechanical pushing action of the blade from forcing cleaning liquid into the nozzles.
2Reliability
If a cleaning liquid collection unit is used to collect excessive cleaning liquid, then liquid accumulation is prevented, but the unit may excessively collect cleaning liquid resulting in insufficient cleaning of the discharge port surface
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback control where the suction unit's operation is regulated based on the amount of cleaning liquid present. The suction continues until the cleaning liquid is adequately removed but stops before excessive collection occurs, maintaining the optimal balance between preventing accumulation and ensuring thorough cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction unit performs partial removal of cleaning liquid rather than complete removal. It collects enough liquid to prevent accumulation and nozzle contamination, but deliberately leaves a sufficient amount remaining on the discharge port surface to maintain cleaning effectiveness.
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
Prevents image quality reduction by ensuring thorough cleaning of the discharge ports while preventing cleaning liquid from mixing with ink, maintaining the integrity of the recording process.
Implementation Method 1
a suction wiping unit to prevent cleaning liquid from entering the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning roller with a porous body to apply and remove cleaning liquid from the ink discharge surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A maintenance apparatus that prevents a reduction in image quality of an image recorded by a liquid discharge head is provided. A maintenance apparatus includes application means for coming into contact with a discharge surface included in a recording head and apply a cleaning liquid to the discharge surface, wherein discharge ports configured to discharge a liquid are formed on the discharge surface, suction means for suctioning the discharge surface, movement means for moving the suction means relative to the recording head, and control means for executing a first cleaning mode where, after the application means applies the cleaning liquid, the suction means suctions the discharge surface.