Inkjet Print Bar Wiper Mechanism for Compact Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the size compactness due to the need for a large maintainer for multiple inkjet heads, which increases the apparatus size when a common maintainer is used outside the print bar units.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a mechanism within each print bar unit that includes a lifting-lowering driver for the inkjet head and a wiper drive mechanism, allowing for in-unit maintenance, which omits the need for a separate wiper drive source and utilizes the print bar positioner as part of the cooling air flow path, thereby reducing the apparatus size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a common maintainer is provided outside the print bar units for multiple inkjet heads, then the maintenance function is achieved, but the apparatus size increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance functionVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the maintenance system into individual print bar units, each equipped with its own maintainer. This segmentation allows each print bar unit to be independently maintained without requiring a large common maintainer, thereby reducing the overall apparatus size while maintaining the maintenance function for multiple inkjet heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The maintainer is integrated within the print bar unit structure, with the wiper and ink receiver nested inside the print bar unit housing. This nesting arrangement allows the maintenance components to occupy minimal space within the existing print bar unit volume, avoiding the need for additional external space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a separate wiper drive mechanism is provided in each print bar unit, then the wiper can be moved for maintenance, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper movementVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting-lowering driver originally designed for moving the inkjet head is made multi-functional by adding a wiper attachment. This single driver now performs both the original inkjet head positioning function and the additional wiper movement function, eliminating the need for a separate wiper drive mechanism and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the wiper drive function with the existing lifting-lowering driver. The wiper is mechanically coupled to the inkjet head or driver assembly, so that the same driving force and motion control system that moves the inkjet head also moves the wiper, combining multiple functions into a single mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3248787B1Inkjet printing apparatus with wiper for inkjet head

Publication Date: 2019.09.11 RISO KAGAKU CORP

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AI summary

An inkjet printing apparatus includes: a print bar unit having a print bar, a maintainer, and a movement driver; and a controller. Upon maintenance of an inkjet head of the print bar, the controller is configured to drive the movement driver to move the maintainer from a deployment position to a retreat position with the print bar arranged at a maintenance position above a height position for printing while wiping a nozzle surface of the inkjet head with the wiper of the maintainer being moved. The deployment position is a position under the inkjet head in maintenance of the inkjet head and the retreat position is a position where the maintainer is retreated from the deployment position.