Inkjet Nozzle Concave Meniscus Cleaning Liquid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with image recording failures due to ink adherence on the nozzles, which can alter the ejection direction and amount of ink, leading to image deterioration and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cleaning liquid nozzle with a concave meniscus on its surface, allowing for a consistent supply of cleaning liquid to the ink ejection surfaces, which are cleaned by wiper members, maintaining the inkjet recording performance and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning liquid is supplied to clean the ink ejection surface, then ink adherence is removed and image recording reliability is improved, but the cleaning liquid supply must be precisely controlled to avoid excessive or insufficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning liquid nozzle is designed with a concave meniscus surface that forms a curved liquid interface. This curvature allows the cleaning liquid to be supplied in a controlled, uniform manner across the ink ejection surface, ensuring consistent cleaning without excessive or insufficient application. The concave shape naturally distributes the liquid flow to match the geometry of the nozzle array.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the cleaning liquid interface by forming a concave meniscus instead of a flat or convex surface. This parameter change in the liquid supply geometry enables precise control over the distribution and amount of cleaning liquid applied to the ink ejection surface, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and supply control precision.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning liquid supply port is provided in the ink ejection surface, then cleaning can be performed, but the structure becomes more complex and the ink ejection surface design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into a separate cleaning liquid supply unit with a dedicated nozzle, rather than integrating the supply port directly into the ink ejection surface. This segmentation allows the ink ejection surface to maintain its simple, functional design while the cleaning capability is provided by an independent component that can be optimized separately for cleaning effectiveness.
3Reliability
If cleaning is performed frequently to maintain ink ejection performance, then image recording reliability is improved, but productivity is reduced due to increased maintenance time
Solution Approach 1:
The concave meniscus design in the cleaning liquid nozzle enables preliminary preparation of the cleaning liquid supply, creating an optimized liquid interface that is ready for immediate effective cleaning. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that when cleaning is initiated, it proceeds efficiently with uniform liquid distribution, reducing the time required to achieve proper cleaning results and minimizing productivity loss.
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 solution ensures stable and uniform cleaning of the ink ejection surfaces, preventing image deterioration and maintaining high reliability by effectively managing ink adherence and contamination.
Implementation Method 1
In the cleaning liquid nozzle, a concave meniscus is formed on a surface of the cleaning liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus (X1) includes an ink ejection surface (361) and a cleaning liquid nozzle (833, 842). The ink ejection surface (361) has an ink ejection port (371) through which ink is ejected. The cleaning liquid nozzle (833, 842) has a cleaning liquid supply port (834, 847) through which cleaning liquid (831, 841) for cleaning the ink ejection surface (361) is supplied. In the cleaning liquid nozzle (833, 842), a concave meniscus is formed on a surface of the cleaning liquid (831, 841).