Inkjet Printhead Cap and Wiper Vertical Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet printing apparatuses require significant carriage travel distance for printhead maintenance, which increases operational time and reduces throughput.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a cap unit and wiper system that moves to a second position further from the printing area, allowing the cap to rise and lower for ink suction and wiping operations, reducing the carriage travel distance by performing preliminary ejection and recovery operations closer to the printing area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the carriage moves to a wiping position away from the recording medium for the wiping operation, then the wiper can effectively clean the nozzle outlet surface, but the carriage travel distance increases and operational time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension by moving the wiper blade assembly in the vertical direction (up and down movement) rather than requiring horizontal carriage movement. The wiper blade can approach and retract from the nozzle outlet surface vertically, allowing cleaning operations to occur at the same horizontal position, thus eliminating the need for long carriage travel while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
2Ease of operation
If the carriage moves to a wiping position away from the recording medium, then the wiper can access the nozzle outlet surface, but the operational efficiency decreases due to increased travel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper blade assembly is configured to move vertically relative to the nozzle outlet surface, allowing the wiper to approach and clean the surface without requiring horizontal carriage displacement. This vertical movement mechanism enables effective cleaning operations while keeping the carriage at a fixed or minimally moved position, thereby maintaining high operational throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper blade assembly incorporates dynamic movement capability, allowing it to flexibly approach and retract from the nozzle outlet surface as needed. This dynamic configuration enables the wiper to perform cleaning operations on-demand without fixed positional constraints, optimizing both accessibility and operational efficiency.
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 configuration reduces the carriage travel distance and enhances operational efficiency by allowing simultaneous ink suction and wiping operations at the recovery position, thereby decreasing the overall recovery operation time.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning device activates a negative pressure generator to suck up ink while the nozzle outlet surface is capped
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning device then wipes the nozzle outlet surface using the wiper blade to wipe off the ink adhered on the nozzle outlet surface
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus includes a printhead having an ejection orifice surface on which ejection orifices for ejecting ink are arranged, where the printhead performs a printing operation in a printing area; a carriage including the printhead, and movable in a first direction; a cap for covering the ejection orifice surface; and a wiper that wipes the ejection orifice surface. The cap is movable, by a movement of the carriage, to a first position, and to a second position farther from the printing area along the first direction. At the second position, the cap can rise and lower to a capping position at which the cap abuts the ejection orifice surface, and to a separated position at which the cap does not abut the ejection orifice surface. The wiper wipes the ejection orifice surface when the cap is at the second position and at the separated position.