Ink-jet Head Wiper Control for Internal Contamination Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face pollution issues due to ink entering gaps between components during wiping operations, leading to internal contamination, especially when water-repellent treatments are not uniformly applied, causing ink to remain on the ink ejection face and potentially scatter or fall inside the device.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet recording apparatus with a wiper that moves in a controlled manner relative to the ink-jet head, ensuring it wipes all nozzle openings and then separates before reaching a point where ink adhesivity increases, preventing ink from remaining on the head and reducing internal contamination. This is achieved through a drive mechanism and wiping controller that coordinates the wiper's movement to avoid areas with higher ink adhesivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal material is used to fill the gap between the inclined plate and the head, then ink pollution inside the apparatus is prevented, but head replacement becomes difficult and cost increases due to requiring ink-resistant seal material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inclined plate component entirely and replaces it with a wiper that has an extended portion. This extraction of the problematic component (inclined plate) eliminates the gap that caused ink pollution, while avoiding the need for seal materials that would complicate head replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper is given a localized extended portion at its end that specifically addresses the gap problem area. This local modification provides the necessary function (preventing ink entry) without requiring a complete redesign or addition of complex sealing systems throughout the structure
2Quantity of substance
If the wiper moves to the end of the ink ejection face during wiping, then all ink is wiped off, but ink scatters when the wiper front end restores its original state due to resilience
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper's extended portion performs a preliminary action by making contact with the ink ejection face first and creating a controlled separation point. This preliminary positioning ensures that ink is wiped off completely while the extension controls the restoration process to prevent scattering
Solution Approach 2:
The extended portion of the wiper acts as an intermediary element between the main wiper body and the ink ejection face. It controls the interaction at the critical end region, managing the restoration process to prevent ink scattering while maintaining effective wiping
3Ease of manufacture
If water-repellent treatment is not given to the end of the head, then cost is reduced, but ink remains on the ink ejection face without being carried on the wiper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water-repellent treatment requirement from the end region of the ink ejection face by using the wiper extension to mechanically ensure complete ink removal. This eliminates the need for costly water-repellent treatment in that specific area while still achieving the goal of preventing ink remaind
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper extension performs a self-service function by mechanically ensuring complete ink removal through its extended contact area. Instead of relying on water-repellent treatment to prevent ink adhesion, the extended wiper portion actively manages ink removal in the end region
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
Effectively prevents ink from entering gaps and remaining on the ink-jet head, thereby reducing internal contamination and facilitating easier maintenance by ensuring ink is collected and removed efficiently, even in areas without water-repellent treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The wiper wipes off ink adhering to the ink ejection face
Implementation Method 2
ink adhering to the ink ejection face
Implementation Method 3
the ink ejection face of the head is given a water-repellent treatment
Implementation Method 4
The ink that has entered the gap may naturally fall down due to gravity
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus comprises an ink-jet head, a wiper, a drive mechanism, and a wiping controller. The wiper wipes off ink adhering to an ink ejection face on which nozzle openings are formed. The wiping controller controls the drive mechanism so that the wiper, while kept in contact with the ink ejection face, moves relative to the ink-jet head in a wiping direction which is oriented from one end to the other end of the ink ejection face, and also so that the wiper becomes spaced apart from the ink ejection face at a point between a nozzle opening nearest to the other end and a changing position. The changing position is a position at which ink adhesivity changes to become larger along the wiping direction and provided between the other end and the nozzle opening nearest to the other end.