Liquid Ejection Head Suction and Contact Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection apparatuses face issues where the airflow generated near the liquid ejection heads can cause the recording medium to rise and come into contact with the heads, leading to potential damage or image defects.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus is designed with a conveyor mechanism, multiple liquid ejection heads, a support member, and a first suction mechanism with a suction opening between the heads, along with contact members that can touch the recording medium closer to the support member than the suction opening, to prevent the recording medium from rising and contacting the heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If airflow generating means is disposed near the liquid ejection heads to move mist upward, then mist removal efficiency is improved, but the recording medium may rise from the support surface and come into contact with the head
Solution Approach 1:
A suction mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the airflow generating means and the recording medium. The suction mechanism creates a controlled suction force that counteracts the rising force of the recording medium caused by the airflow, thereby preventing contact between the recording medium and the liquid ejection head while allowing the airflow to continue moving mist upward.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction mechanism applies a preliminary counteracting force (suction) to prevent the harmful effect (recording medium rising) before it can occur. By positioning the suction mechanism to create negative pressure in the region where the recording medium might rise, the system proactively prevents the contradiction from manifesting.
2Reliability
If suction force is increased to prevent recording medium rising, then head protection is improved, but mist removal efficiency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism is designed to create localized suction forces at specific positions where the recording medium is most likely to rise, rather than applying uniform suction throughout the entire ejection region. This allows the system to protect the head from recording medium contact while maintaining effective mist removal in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction mechanism acts as a mediator that balances two opposing requirements: it provides enough suction force to prevent recording medium rising while not being so strong as to interfere with mist removal. The suction force is carefully controlled to be just sufficient to counteract the harmful effect without compromising the beneficial effect.
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 restrains the recording medium from rising and contacting the liquid ejection heads, reducing the risk of damage and image defects while ensuring efficient liquid ejection and recording.
Implementation Method 1
a first suction mechanism having a first suction opening located between two of the plurality of liquid ejection heads adjacent to each other in the conveying direction, the first suction mechanism being configured to suck air via the first suction opening
Implementation Method 2
at least one first contact member located between the two liquid ejection heads adjacent to each other in the conveying direction and configured to be contactable with a recording face of the recording medium at a position closer to the support member than the first suction opening
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a conveyor mechanism conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction; a plurality of liquid ejection heads each having an ejection face from which a liquid is ejected and arranged in the conveying direction; a support member opposed to the ejection face and supporting the recording medium; a first suction mechanism which has a first suction opening located between two of the plurality of liquid ejection heads adjacent to each other in the conveying direction, and which sucks air via the first suction opening; and at least one first contact member located between the two liquid ejection heads in the conveying direction and contactable with a recording face of the recording medium at a position closer to the support member than the first suction opening in a direction perpendicular to the ejection face.