Inkjet Nozzle Recovery via Segmented Porous Capping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with nozzle clogging and ink ejection failures due to increased viscosity, air bubbles, and adhesion of ink, leading to wasted ink during maintenance and cost increases from dense nozzle integration, with existing solutions causing deflective ejection and ink waste.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a capping device featuring an interconnected cell type porous elastic member that contacts the nozzle surface, a recessed area to house the porous elastic member, and a suction device to minimize waste by concentrating suction force on specific nozzles, reducing ink adhesion and waste during recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap covers the entire printing head to recover one nozzle, then the nozzle can be recovered, but a large amount of ink is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into multiple independent suction units, each corresponding to a specific nozzle or group of nozzles. This segmentation allows selective recovery of individual nozzles without affecting others, thereby reducing ink waste when only one nozzle needs recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
Each suction unit is designed with local suction capability, allowing the system to apply suction force only where needed (at the specific nozzle requiring recovery) rather than across the entire printing head. This localized approach minimizes unnecessary ink consumption.
2Volume of moving object
If the nozzle portion is integrated highly densely for downsizing, then the printing head size is reduced, but manufacturing of the cap to suit a single nozzle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed as a modular structure with multiple identical suction units that can be mass-produced and then assembled. Each suction unit is a standardized component that can be manufactured independently, making the overall cap easier to manufacture despite the dense nozzle integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction units are designed with universal applicability, where each unit can serve multiple nozzles or be positioned flexibly to accommodate different nozzle configurations. This universality simplifies the manufacturing process by using standardized components rather than custom-designed caps for each nozzle pattern.
3Productivity
If the cap contacts the printing head at the rim of nozzle during suction, then suction can be performed, but deflective ejection of ink is caused due to adhesion of remaining ink
Solution Approach 1:
The suction force is extracted and concentrated at the center of each suction unit, away from the rim contact area. This separation ensures that the suction action does not cause ink to adhere to the rim, preventing deflective ejection while maintaining effective ink recovery from the nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
A recessed portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the suction unit and the printing head surface. This recessed portion allows the suction unit to contact the printing head at a position that does not interfere with the nozzle opening, enabling effective suction without causing rim adhesion and subsequent deflective ejection.
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 recovers non-ejecting nozzles with minimal ink waste and reduces deflective ejection by concentrating suction force, allowing for efficient and precise ink recovery with reduced waste and improved maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device communicated to the recession of the porous elastic member to suction ink form the nozzle hole of the printing head
Implementation Method 2
an interconnected cell type porous elastic member to contact with the surface of nozzle member at a peripheral area of the nozzle hole
Data Source
AI summary
The inkjet recording apparatus has a capping device for cleaning the inkjet nozzles. The capping device has an interconnected cell type porous elastic member housed in a recessed area which is connected to suction. During the cleaning operation, the porous elastic member is pressed against the surface of the nozzle such that the porous member is compressed. Suction is then started in the recess area and ink is drawn from the nozzle. By compressing the porous member, the recess area is decreased in size and good negative pressure can be obtained so as to the draw the ink from the nozzle. When the pressure ceases and the porous member is expanded, and ink is drawn from the surface of the nozzle member and soaks into the porous member. Suction is then again started to remove the ink from the recess and from the porous member.