Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Dual Contact Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face issues with nozzle region deterioration due to increased pressing force during maintenance, which can lead to damage and reduced printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a dual contact operation system, where the absorption member contacts the nozzle surface at different pressures for nozzle and non-nozzle regions, reducing pressure on the nozzle region to prevent damage while effectively removing adhered liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressing force on the absorption member is increased to improve wiping effectiveness, then ink removal capability is improved, but the nozzle region deteriorates and damages
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed with differentiated pressing forces for different regions: a first pressing force for the nozzle region and a second pressing force for the non-nozzle region. This local quality approach allows the system to apply higher pressure where needed (non-nozzle regions) while protecting sensitive areas (nozzle region) from excessive force, thereby resolving the contradiction between wiping effectiveness and nozzle region integrity.
2Reliability
If the groove portion of the roller member is disposed to avoid the ink discharge opening position, then the nozzle region is protected from direct groove contact, but pressing force concentrates on the ink discharge opening peripheral region causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member implements spatially varying pressing forces by defining a first pressing force for the nozzle region and a second pressing force for the non-nozzle region. This allows the system to protect the nozzle opening while distributing pressing force more evenly across the peripheral region, preventing the concentration of force that causes deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member can be configured to dynamically adjust or vary the pressing force across different positions and times, allowing optimization of both nozzle protection and peripheral region force distribution during the wiping process.
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 allows for effective wiping of the nozzle surface without causing significant damage to the nozzle region, maintaining printing quality and extending the lifespan of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption member which is able to absorb the liquid which is adhered to the nozzle surface by contacting the nozzle surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid from a nozzle that is disposed on a nozzle surface, and an absorption member which is able to contact the nozzle surface, in which it is possible to perform a first contact operation which causes the absorption member to contact the nozzle surface at a position which corresponds to a nozzle region that includes an opening region of the nozzle, and a second contact operation which causes the absorption member to contact the nozzle surface at a position which corresponds to a non-nozzle region that is a region outside of the nozzle region.