Liquid Ejecting Apparatus UV Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as printers, the maintenance function of the liquid receiving portion is reduced due to UV light leakage causing ink deposits and clogging, as UV-curable ink is easily cured by stray light, leading to reduced effectiveness in flushing operations.

Innovation Solution

The control unit manages the ejection of photocurable liquids, ensuring that the liquid cured most easily is covered by others that cure more slowly, and the liquid cured most slowly is ejected last, to absorb stray curing light and prevent premature curing in the liquid receiving portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If UV light is used to cure photocurable liquid in the printing region, then the printing function is improved, but UV light leaks to the liquid receiving portion causing ink to be cured prematurely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidmaintenance function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid ejecting head performs preliminary ejection of photocurable liquid into the liquid receiving portion before moving to the printing region. This preliminary action ensures that the liquid receiving portion is filled with uncured liquid that can subsequently absorb leaked UV light, preventing premature curing of maintenance liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The photocurable liquid in the liquid receiving portion acts as an intermediary substance that absorbs leaked UV light. By positioning the liquid receiving portion between the UV irradiation source and the liquid ejecting head nozzles, it serves as a protective mediator that prevents UV light from directly curing liquids in the maintenance area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If photocurable liquid is received in the liquid receiving portion for flushing, then the maintenance function is improved, but the liquid is cured by leaked UV light causing deposits and clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance functionVSAvoiddeposits and clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of UV light leakage into a beneficial effect by using the photocurable liquid in the liquid receiving portion as a UV-absorbing medium. The liquid that would normally be wasted during flushing instead serves as a protective layer that absorbs leaked UV light, preventing it from curing liquids in the nozzles and causing deposits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the state of the photocurable liquid from a printing material to a protective barrier by controlling its position and timing. By ejecting the liquid into the receiving portion before printing and ensuring it remains uncured during the printing process, its properties are utilized differently - as a UV-absorbing medium rather than as a material to be cured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the liquid ejecting head moves quickly between positions, then the productivity is improved, but the liquid may be cured by leaked light during transit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead movement speedVSAvoidstray light exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary ejection of photocurable liquid into the liquid receiving portion before the liquid ejecting head moves to the printing region. This ensures that the receiving portion is filled with uncured liquid that can absorb any UV light leakage during the head's movement, protecting against premature curing during transit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration effectively suppresses the curing of easily cured liquids in the liquid receiving portion, maintaining the apparatus's maintenance function by ensuring that only the more difficult-to-cure liquids absorb stray light, thereby preventing deposits and clogging, and reducing the time required for flushing.

Implementation Method 1

an irradiation unit that irradiates light that cures the liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a liquid receiving portion that is capable of receiving the liquids that are ejected from the liquid ejecting head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9290017B2Liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects a plurality of kinds of photocurable type liquids, an irradiation unit that irradiates light that cures the liquids, a liquid receiving portion that is capable of receiving the liquids that are ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and a control unit that controls the ejection of the liquids from the liquid ejecting head. Among the plurality of kinds of liquids that are ejected, the control unit ejects a liquid that is cured with most ease when the light is irradiated before at least one different liquid other than the liquid in a case in which the plurality of kinds of liquids are ejected into the liquid receiving portion from the liquid ejecting head.