Inkjet Nozzle Wiping Mechanism for Cross-Contamination Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face issues with ink ejection failure due to paper dust or ink mist adhering to nozzle surfaces, and existing cleaning methods can cause ink mixing between different color nozzles.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet recording device employs a wiping mechanism with a wiper that moves at a predetermined angle relative to the nozzle arrays, minimizing the transfer of foreign substances between nozzles and ensuring that nozzles for lighter colors are wiped before those for darker colors to prevent ink mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is used to clean the nozzle surface, then ink ejection failure due to paper dust or ink mist is prevented, but foreign substances may be transferred from one nozzle to another nozzle causing ink mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wiping direction from a conventional linear path to an inclined path that forms an acute angle with the nozzle array direction. This dimensional change in the wiping trajectory ensures that the wiper contacts each nozzle at a unique position along its length, preventing foreign substances from being transferred from one nozzle to another while still effectively cleaning all nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different wiping conditions to different regions of the nozzle surface by using an inclined wiping direction. Each nozzle receives cleaning at a specific local position determined by the angle of the wiper movement, creating localized cleaning zones that prevent cross-contamination between adjacent nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording device includes a recording head having a nozzle surface formed with a plurality of nozzle arrays and a wiping mechanism having a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface. The wiping mechanism moves the wiper relative to and in contact with the nozzle surface, in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the plurality of nozzles arrays.