Ink-jet Purging Cap with Flexible Base and Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printing devices face issues with nozzle clogging due to increased ink viscosity when not in use, leading to poor ink discharge from less frequently used nozzles, and existing cap members struggle to balance flexibility for sealing and rigidity to prevent deformation during suction, especially with larger, high-speed printing heads.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet printing device with a purging unit comprising a cap, suction pump, and supporting member, where the cap has a flexible base and cylindrical lip that deforms inwardly to maintain a hermetic seal and support the lip during suction, preventing deformation and ensuring effective ink suction from nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the purging cap member is made flexible to enclose the nozzles hermetically, then the sealing performance is improved, but the cap member deforms under suction pressure, impairing the hermetic seal
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member is divided into a rigid body portion and a flexible lip portion. The rigid body maintains structural stability under suction pressure, while the flexible lip adapts to the nozzle surface to create a hermetic seal. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the cap member have different mechanical properties. The body is made rigid to resist deformation under suction, while the lip is made flexible to conform to the nozzle surface. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between sealing flexibility and structural rigidity.
2Productivity
If the suction force is increased to improve ink removal efficiency, then the purging performance is improved, but the cap member deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cap into rigid body and flexible lip portions, the system can apply high suction force through the rigid body while the flexible lip maintains the hermetic seal. The rigid body承受s the suction pressure without deforming, allowing stronger suction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical strength parameter of the cap body is increased to withstand higher suction pressures, while the lip maintains its flexibility. This parameter change allows the system to operate at higher suction forces without cap deformation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cap member is made rigid to prevent deformation during suction, then the structural stability is improved, but the hermetic sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member is segmented into a rigid body portion that maintains structural stability and a flexible lip portion that creates the hermetic seal. Each portion is optimized for its specific function, with the rigid body preventing deformation and the flexible lip ensuring sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap member exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations. The body is rigid to maintain structural integrity under suction, while the lip is flexible to conform to the nozzle surface and create a hermetic seal. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction.
4Productivity
If the printing head size is increased to improve printing precision and speed, then the productivity is improved, but the cap member complexity and deformation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member is divided into a rigid body and a flexible lip, allowing the structure to accommodate larger printing heads while maintaining both structural stability and hermetic sealing capability. This segmentation enables scaling without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap member structure is designed to be universally applicable to different printing head sizes. The rigid body provides structural support for various configurations, while the flexible lip adapts to different nozzle arrangements, reducing the need for custom designs for each printing head size.
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 prevents nozzle clogging by maintaining a hermetic seal and ensuring reliable ink suction, even with larger printing heads, ensuring consistent ink discharge and reducing manufacturing costs through a simpler structure.
Implementation Method 1
the suction pump lowers the pressure in a space defined between the ink-jet printing head and the cap
Implementation Method 2
At least a portion of the base corresponding to the inner side of the lip is flexible enough to be deformed so as to project inwardly of the lip when the pressure in the space is lowered
Implementation Method 3
The supporting member comprises an abutment portion, the abutment portion abutting the inner side of the distal end portion of the lip when the base deforms
Implementation Method 4
a purging unit for sucking ink from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet printing device is presented including (1) an ink-jet printing head for printing an image by discharging ink droplets from a number of nozzles onto a recording medium and (2) a purging unit for sucking ink from the nozzles. The purging unit includes a cap, a suction pump, and a supporting member. The cap has a flat, plate shaped base, and a cylindrical lip that extends upright from the base. When the lip of the cap is in abutment with the ink-jet printing head, the suction pump lowers the pressure in a space defined between the ink-jet printing head and the cap. The supporting member is disposed in the cap and is capable of supporting the lip from the inside of the cap. When a distal end portion of the lip abuts the ink-jet printing head, the lip hermetically encloses the nozzles. At least a portion of the base corresponding to the inner side of the lip is flexible enough to be deformed so as to project inwardly of the lip when the pressure in the space is lowered. The supporting member includes an abutment portion, the abutment portion abutting the inner side of the distal end portion of the lip when the base deforms.