Liquid Discharge Apparatus Sealing Mechanism Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses for printing on fabrics face challenges in efficiently sealing and maintaining the nozzle surfaces of the printing heads, leading to issues with ink wastage and contamination of the printing area, which affects the precision and reliability of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a sealing mechanism that caps the nozzle surfaces of the printing heads, utilizing a movable sealing unit that can retract and advance vertically to seal the nozzles, and a wiper to clean the nozzle surfaces, while being integrated into the printer's support structure to minimize space and prevent ink from reaching the fabric during sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a sealing mechanism is added to cap the nozzle surfaces, then ink wastage is reduced and nozzle integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is merged with the maintenance unit structure, where the sealing member is integrated into the same assembly that holds the wiper and other maintenance components. This combination reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate sealing components and simplifying the mechanical structure while still achieving effective nozzle sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance unit is designed to perform multiple functions: the sealing member caps the nozzles to prevent ink wastage, the wiper cleans the nozzle surface, and the entire assembly can be positioned at different locations (front or rear of the head) to accommodate various printing configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sealing devices.
2Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is added to cap the nozzle surfaces, then nozzle integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is merged with the maintenance unit structure, where the sealing member is integrated into the same assembly that holds the wiper and other maintenance components. This combination reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate sealing components and simplifying the mechanical structure while still achieving effective nozzle sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is designed to automatically cap the nozzles when the maintenance unit is positioned near the head, and the wiper simultaneously cleans the nozzle surface. This self-service mechanism maintains nozzle integrity without requiring complex external control systems or additional actuators.
3Volume of moving object
If the sealing unit is integrated into the support structure, then space utilization is improved and ink contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is merged with the maintenance unit structure, where the sealing member is integrated into the same assembly that holds the wiper and other maintenance components. This combination reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate sealing components and simplifying the mechanical structure while still achieving effective nozzle sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance unit is designed to be movable along the sub-scanning direction, allowing the sealing member to dynamically position itself at the appropriate location (front or rear of the head) based on the printing configuration. This dynamic positioning capability enables flexible space utilization without requiring a complex fixed integration structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the sealing unit is movable in the sub-scanning direction, then adaptability to different printing configurations is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance unit is designed to be movable along the sub-scanning direction, allowing the sealing member to dynamically position itself at the appropriate location (front or rear of the head) based on the printing configuration. This dynamic positioning capability enables flexible space utilization without requiring a complex fixed integration structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance unit is designed to perform multiple functions: the sealing member caps the nozzles to prevent ink wastage, the wiper cleans the nozzle surface, and the entire assembly can be positioned at different locations (front or rear of the head) to accommodate various printing configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sealing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head configured to discharge a liquid onto a print target, a carriage configured to hold the head and reciprocally movable in a main-scanning direction, a sealing configured to seal a nozzle surface of the head, and a support configured to hold the print target and movable in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main-scanning direction, the support including a space configured to accommodate the sealing in the support.