Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Slide Mechanism Cap Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in achieving a desired cap pressure without increasing the moving distance of the head holder, limiting their effectiveness in capping and maintaining the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a slide mechanism allowing a head to be lifted and lowered relative to a cap without sliding, utilizing a pin and elongated hole configuration to achieve consistent cap pressure, and incorporating springs for precise movement and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the moving distance of the head holder is increased to achieve desired cap pressure, then the cap pressure can be adjusted to a preferable value, but the device complexity and movement time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the cap pressing force can be varied during the capping process. The pressing member is configured to apply increasing force as the cap approaches the nozzle, allowing optimal cap pressure to be achieved without requiring excessive movement distance. This dynamic force adjustment resolves the contradiction by decoupling the relationship between movement distance and cap pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pressing force distribution along the movement path. By designing the urging member (spring) and pressing member geometry to create a non-uniform force profile, the system achieves higher cap pressure at the end of a shorter stroke. This parameter change allows the system to overcome the limitation of fixed force application over long distances.
2Stress or pressure
If the head holder moves a longer distance to cap the nozzle, then the cap pressure can be optimized, but the productivity and operation time decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pressing mechanism allows the system to build up cap pressure rapidly during a shortened movement cycle. The spring-based urging member stores energy during approach and releases it during the final capping phase, enabling optimal pressure to be achieved faster than with constant-force systems requiring longer travel distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is pre-positioned and pre-loaded with spring energy before the capping operation begins. This preliminary preparation allows the actual capping motion to be shorter and faster, as the force-building process has already been partially completed during the approach phase, thereby improving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the head holder slides during capping movement, then the movement range is flexible, but the capping precision and cap pressure consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the sliding function from the capping function. The head holder is designed to slide only in the lateral direction for positioning, while the capping motion is executed by a dedicated pressing member that moves vertically without lateral sliding. This extraction of functions ensures that capping precision is not compromised by sliding during the pressing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The movement system is segmented into two independent degrees of freedom: lateral sliding for positioning and vertical pressing for capping. The head holder handles lateral movement while the pressing member handles vertical movement. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, maintaining positioning flexibility while achieving precise, consistent capping pressure without interference from sliding during pressing.
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
Enables easy attainment of required cap pressure with reduced head movement, enhances capping efficiency, and stabilizes the head position for improved liquid ejection performance.
Implementation Method 1
The urging member is a spring member interposed between the slide rack gear and the slide member
Implementation Method 2
an urging member that is moved by the moving means and urges, in an abutting direction, the head holder
Data Source
AI summary
A printer, which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, including a slide mechanism that has a first member and a second member configured to slide with each other in lifting and lowering directions; a head that is fixed to the first member and has a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a lifting and lowering mechanism that is fixed to the second member, and lifts and lowers the head in the lifting and lowering directions; and a cap that covers the nozzle. The first member is configured of a wall member having an elongated hole, and the second member is configured of a pin. The lifting and lowering mechanism relatively moves the head toward the cap in a state where the head does not slide in a direction away from the cap.