Inkjet Recording Head Nozzle Cleaning via Hydrophilic Water-Repellent Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet recording methods, solid substances with low solubility in cleaning liquids can stick to nozzle surfaces and become lodged, causing issues during the cleaning process, as existing methods may allow the cleaning liquid to penetrate and peel off these substances, potentially leading to them becoming trapped at the discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning method for inkjet recording apparatuses featuring a discharge port surface with hydrophilic and water-repellent parts, where a cleaning liquid is applied and then removed using a sliding mechanism, ensuring the cleaning liquid moves onto the hydrophilic parts and away from the discharge ports, preventing solid residues from being lodged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning liquid is applied to the discharge port surface to peel off solid substances, then the discharge port surface can be cleaned, but the peeled solid substance may become lodged at and around the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port surface is segmented into multiple regions with different surface properties: a hydrophilic region that attracts and holds cleaning liquid, and a hydrophobic region that repels cleaning liquid. This segmentation allows the cleaning liquid to be concentrated at specific locations (hydrophilic region) rather than spreading uniformly, preventing peeled solid substances from being carried away by the cleaning liquid and becoming lodged around the discharge ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic region acts as an intermediary between the cleaning liquid and the discharge port surface. It serves as a buffer zone that absorbs and contains the cleaning liquid, preventing it from flowing directly onto the discharge port openings. This intermediary region allows the cleaning liquid to perform its cleaning function while preventing the harmful effect of solid substance lodging.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning liquid permeates into the interface between the nozzle surface and the solid substance, then the solid substance can be peeled off, but the cleaning liquid may carry the peeled solid substance away from the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the discharge port surface are given different local qualities: the hydrophilic region has high affinity for cleaning liquid to concentrate and hold it, while the hydrophobic region has low affinity to repel the cleaning liquid. This local quality differentiation ensures that the cleaning liquid remains localized and does not flow away with peeled solid substances.
3Ease of operation
If a uniform cleaning liquid application is used, then the cleaning process is simple, but the cleaning liquid may spread to areas where it should not go
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge port surface structure itself provides the functionality of controlling cleaning liquid distribution. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions automatically guide the cleaning liquid to the appropriate locations without requiring external control mechanisms. The surface structure serves itself by using its own geometric and surface property characteristics to achieve precise liquid distribution.
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 method effectively cleans the discharge port surface by preventing solid residues from intruding into the discharge ports, maintaining the integrity and functionality of the recording head, thereby ensuring efficient ink discharge and reducing maintenance challenges.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic part that is provided separated from the discharge port line and protrudes from the discharge port surface
Implementation Method 2
a water-repellent part that is located between the hydrophilic part and the discharge port line
Data Source
AI summary
A method to clean a discharge port surface of a recording apparatus includes applying a cleaning liquid to the discharge port surface by a cleaning liquid application unit. The discharge port surface includes a discharge port line, a hydrophilic part, and a water-repellent part located between the hydrophilic part and the discharge port line. A plurality of discharge ports to discharge a liquid is aligned in a first direction. The hydrophilic part is provided separated from the discharge port line and protrudes from the discharge port surface in a discharge direction of the liquid from the plurality of discharge ports. After the cleaning liquid is applied to the discharge port surface, a cleaning liquid removal unit removes the applied cleaning liquid in a state where the cleaning liquid has been moved onto the hydrophilic part.