Rotating Switching Section for Inkjet Nozzle Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet printing apparatuses require numerous electromagnetic on/off valves, leading to increased size, production costs, power consumption, and longer cleaning times due to complex cleaning mechanisms and inefficient inkjet head alignment.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet printing apparatus with a rotating switching section that connects to multiple suction ports, allowing for selective or simultaneous suction of inkjet nozzles, reducing the need for multiple valves and enabling rapid and efficient cleaning by utilizing a single suction device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If many electromagnetic on/off valves are used for individual suction of each inkjet head, then individual cleaning capability is improved, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual cleaning capabilityVSAvoidnumber of valves

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single electromagnetic on/off valve controls a multi-functional suction system that can perform both individual suction of specific inkjet heads and group suction of multiple heads simultaneously. The valve switches between different suction modes based on cap positioning, eliminating the need for separate valves for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple suction functions (individual and group suction) into a single suction system controlled by one electromagnetic on/off valve. Multiple caps with inkjet heads are connected to a common suction line, allowing one valve to control the entire suction process for different combinations of inkjet heads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If many electromagnetic on/off valves are used for individual suction, then individual cleaning capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual cleaning capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If individual suction is performed to every inkjet head, then cleaning completeness is improved, but cleaning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The suction pump operates continuously during the cleaning process, maintaining constant negative pressure to ensure continuous ink removal from all connected inkjet heads. This continuous action prevents interruption in the cleaning process and maintains efficient ink suction throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple caps are positioned over inkjet heads in advance, preparing the system for simultaneous suction. The caps are placed on the inkjet heads before the suction process begins, so that when the electromagnetic valve opens, ink can be suctioned from multiple heads at the same time without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If inkjet heads are arranged in one direction, then device layout is simplified, but alignment time for individual suction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice layoutVSAvoidalignment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs movable caps that can be dynamically positioned on and off the inkjet heads. The caps are capable of moving to align with specific inkjet heads for individual suction or moving to cover multiple heads for group suction, providing flexible positioning without requiring complex fixed alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 design reduces ink consumption and shortens cleaning times while maintaining a compact and efficient structure, minimizing the need for multiple valves and optimizing the alignment of inkjet heads for quicker cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device (314) sucking ink from the plurality of inkjet nozzles via the plurality of caps (311a to 311h) and the plurality of lines (312a to 312h)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9731510B2Inkjet printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.08.15 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an inkjet printing apparatus including a connection switching device in a housing having external suction ports and an internal suction port being disposed at an equal distance from the center of rotation of a switching section, the external suction ports being connectable to a plurality of lines, the internal suction port being connected to a suction path for sucking the interior of the housing. The connection switching device selectively connects any of the plurality of external suction ports to the suction device by rotating the switching section Consequently, when the switching section is connected to the internal suction port, the interior of the housing is sucked, whereby ink is sucked from all the inkjet nozzles.