Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Mist Soiling Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting apparatuses face the challenge of soiling in the print area due to mist generated during flushing, which contaminates the medium and ejection target medium, especially when the flushing area is positioned close to the print area.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is configured with a liquid ejecting unit, a wiping portion, a liquid receiving portion, and a maintenance portion, where the receiving area is positioned adjacent to the wiping area and more distant from the landing area, separating the mist generation area from the print area, and including a cap for sealing and a fixing section to prevent solidification of mist and ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flushing area is disposed at a position close to the print area, then the liquid ejecting head can efficiently receive liquid, but the print area is likely to be soiled with mist generated in the flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the movement region into distinct functional areas: a flushing area for receiving liquid, a wiping area for cleaning the nozzle surface, and a print area for ejection. By spatially segmenting these functions and arranging them in sequence along the scanning direction, the patent prevents mist from the flushing area from contaminating the print area while maintaining efficient liquid reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wiping area as an intermediary zone between the flushing area and the print area. This intermediate region serves as a buffer that captures and removes mist and liquid residues before they can reach the print area, thus protecting the print area from soiling while allowing the flushing area to be positioned efficiently.
2Device complexity
If the receiving area is disposed close to the print area, then the apparatus structure is simplified, but mist generated during flushing contaminates the ejection target medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the apparatus into distinct functional zones (flushing area, wiping area, print area) arranged sequentially along the scanning direction. This spatial segmentation prevents direct adjacency between the receiving area and print area, eliminating the need for complex protective structures while preventing contamination of the ejection target medium.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging areas in a two-dimensional layout where receiving and print areas might be adjacent, the patent utilizes the scanning direction (temporal dimension) to sequence the functional areas. This dimensional approach allows efficient liquid reception while naturally preventing mist contamination of the print area through the sequential operation flow.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the wiping area is positioned between the print area and receiving area, then the print area is protected from mist, but the wiping function requires more complex control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wiping action that occurs automatically during the liquid ejecting head's back-and-forth scanning motion. The wiping area is positioned such that the nozzle surface is wiped at regular intervals during normal operation, protecting the print area from mist accumulation without requiring complex additional control mechanisms.
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 soiling of the print area by mist and ink, maintains the sealing performance of the cap, and prevents solidification of mist and ink, ensuring clean operation and extended maintenance of the wiping function.
Implementation Method 1
a cap unit configured to form a sealed space by making contact with the nozzle surface
Implementation Method 2
a suction pump configured to supply a negative pressure into the sealed space
Implementation Method 3
a heating unit configured to heat the liquid in the sealed space
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting unit that has a liquid ejecting head moving back and forth in a scanning direction, the liquid ejecting head being provided with a nozzle surface in which nozzles capable of ejecting liquid are formed; a wiping portion that wipes the nozzle surface; a liquid receiving portion that is capable of receiving the liquid ejected through the nozzles; and a maintenance portion that performs maintenance on the liquid ejecting head. Further, a receiving area where the liquid receiving portion is provided is disposed at a position that is adjacent to a wiping area where the wiping portion is provided and is more distanced from a landing area where the liquid ejected through the nozzles toward an ejection target medium lands than the wiping area in the scanning direction.