Inkjet Ejection Head Wiping Speed Control for Residue Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face ejection failures due to ink residue on ejection port surfaces, which can be drawn into nearby ports, causing delays and impairing user convenience, especially when transitioning between recording on different sheets of media.

Innovation Solution

The ejection apparatus employs a wiping mechanism with a recessed portion on the ejection head and a wiping member that moves at different speeds to effectively remove ink residue, utilizing a first wipe mode for slower speed wiping after capping and a second mode for higher speed wiping after recording, ensuring efficient ink removal and preventing ejection failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the blade crosses the step portion to wipe the ejection port surface, then the ejection port surface is cleaned, but ink accumulates on the blade and is drawn out onto the ejection port surface causing ejection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection reliabilityVSAvoidink residue on ejection port surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wiping path is segmented into two distinct phases: a first wiping phase that avoids the step portion to prevent ink accumulation, and a second wiping phase that targets the step portion for thorough cleaning. This segmentation allows the blade to perform different wiping functions at different locations without contaminating the ejection port surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first wiping operation is performed before the blade reaches the step portion, preliminarily cleaning the ejection port surface area. This preliminary action prevents ink from being smeared onto the ejection ports during the subsequent second wiping operation that targets the step portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If wiping is performed slowly to prevent ink smearing, then ejection port surface is protected from ink residue, but standby time increases impairing user convenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink residue preventionVSAvoidstandby time between recordings

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wiping speed is dynamically adjusted based on the blade's position during the wiping operation. The blade moves at a first speed during the first wiping phase and a second speed during the second wiping phase, allowing optimal performance for each phase while minimizing total standby time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wiping operation is performed continuously without interruption, with the blade transitioning smoothly between the first and second wiping phases. This continuous action eliminates idle time between wiping operations while ensuring both the ejection port surface and step portion are properly cleaned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If the blade wipes the step portion first, then ink accumulation is removed, but ink is drawn out and remains on the ejection port surface causing ejection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink accumulation removalVSAvoidejection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional wiping sequence is inverted: instead of wiping the step portion first and then the ejection port surface, the blade wipes the ejection port surface area first and then wipes the step portion. This inversion prevents ink from being smeared onto the ejection ports during the step portion cleaning operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Loss of time

If high speed wiping is used, then standby time is reduced improving user convenience, but ink residue remains on ejection port surface causing ejection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandby time reductionVSAvoidejection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11766868B2Ejection apparatus and wiping method

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 CANON KK

AI summary

An ejection apparatus includes an ejection head having an ejection port surface and configured to eject a liquid to a recording medium for recording, a wiper configured to wipe the surface, and a moving unit configured to relatively move the wiper and the head to move the wiper in a first direction along the surface with respect to the head. The apparatus performs a first mode for performing the wiping while relatively moving the wiper and the head at a first speed, and a second mode for performing the wiping while relatively moving the wiper and the head at a second speed higher than the first speed. When the apparatus performs the wiping after the recording and then performs subsequent recording, the apparatus performs the second mode. When the apparatus performs the wiping after the recording and then performs no subsequent recording, the apparatus performs the first mode.