Liquid Discharge Apparatus Port Cleaning via Movable Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with foreign substances adhering to discharge ports, leading to defects in products and uneven discharge characteristics, as existing cleaning methods either cause wear or fail to effectively remove substances from the discharge port surface.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus with a movable liquid moving unit that collects deposited substances from the discharge port surface to a position where the discharge port is not present, using a suction port separated from the discharge port surface to prevent re-adhesion and ensure thorough removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wiper is used to sweep the discharge port surface, then deposited substances can be removed, but wear and peeling occur on the discharge port surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge port surface integrityVSAvoidwear and peeling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiper system with a liquid flow-based cleaning system. A liquid supply unit delivers liquid to the discharge port surface, and a liquid discharge unit removes the liquid along with deposited substances, eliminating mechanical contact and associated wear while maintaining effective cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid flow to transport deposited substances away from the discharge port surface. The liquid supply and discharge units create a fluid dynamic system that carries away contaminants without mechanical contact, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surface integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-generated harmful factors

If air is blown onto the discharge port surface to remove deposited substances, then no mechanical contact is needed, but blown droplets and foreign substances may adhere again to the discharge port surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical contact eliminationVSAvoiddeposited substance removal effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of blowing air toward the discharge ports (which causes re-adhesion), the patent inverts the approach by supplying liquid to the discharge port surface and discharging it in the opposite direction - away from the discharge ports. This reversed flow direction prevents re-adhesion while effectively removing deposited substances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces liquid as an intermediary substance to facilitate the removal of deposited substances. The liquid acts as a carrier that picks up contaminants from the discharge port surface and transports them away, avoiding the direct air-blowing mechanism that causes re-adhesion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If air is blown at a fixed position to remove deposited substances, then the injection orifice position is simple, but unevenness occurs in the removal region and substances remain in some areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair injection system simplicityVSAvoiddeposited substance removal uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the liquid supply and discharge system dynamic by positioning the liquid supply unit to move along the discharge port surface. This dynamic positioning allows the liquid to be supplied to multiple locations, ensuring uniform removal of deposited substances across the entire surface while maintaining relative structural simplicity

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 solution effectively reduces the likelihood of foreign substances remaining near the discharge port, preventing defects and maintaining even discharge characteristics by ensuring thorough removal and reducing surface unevenness.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid moving unit arranged apart from the discharge port surface and configured to be movable along the discharge port surface, wherein the liquid moving unit moves liquid on the discharge port surface to a collection position in which the discharge port is not provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9493004B2Liquid discharge apparatus and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2016.11.15 CANON KK

AI summary

A liquid discharge apparatus comprises a head having a discharge port surface on which a discharge port is provided for discharging a liquid, and a liquid moving unit arranged apart from the discharge port surface and configured to be movable along the discharge port surface, wherein, the liquid moving unit moves a liquid on the discharge port surface to a collection position in which the discharge port is not provided, with a moving of the liquid moving unit.