Liquid Ejection Nozzle Cleaning to Reduce Inorganic Pigment Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wiping of nozzle surfaces in liquid ejection devices containing inorganic pigments can cause damage due to the hardness of the pigments.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device with separate nozzles for inorganic and organic pigments, combined with a cleaning and wiping mechanism using an absorbent member to reduce the proportion of inorganic pigment on the nozzle surface, and a control system to manage the mixing of liquids during cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wiper is used to clean the nozzle surface, then the nozzle surface can be wiped clean, but the inorganic pigment in the liquid may damage the nozzle surface due to its hardness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the harmful inorganic pigment component from the cleaning process by using a dedicated suction device that selectively removes pigment-containing liquid from the nozzle surface, preventing the pigment from causing damage during wiping operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a suction device as an intermediary step between liquid ejection and wiping. This intermediary mechanism removes the harmful pigment residue before the wiper contacts the nozzle surface, thereby protecting the nozzle while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
2Productivity
If inorganic pigment-containing liquid is ejected from nozzles, then the desired liquid ejection function is achieved, but the pigment residue causes damage during subsequent wiping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary suction cleaning operation immediately after liquid ejection and before wiping. This preliminary action removes the harmful pigment residue in advance, preventing subsequent damage to the nozzle surface during the wiping process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of inorganic pigment residue into a manageable process by implementing a dedicated suction mechanism that targets and removes the pigment. The pigment's presence in the ejected liquid becomes irrelevant as the suction system efficiently extracts it, transforming a potential damage source into a controlled removal 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
Reduces nozzle surface damage by minimizing the proportion of inorganic pigment residue, maintaining nozzle integrity and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a wiping portion including an absorbent member and configured to wipe, with the absorbent member, a nozzle surface provided with the plurality of first nozzles and the plurality of second nozzles, the absorbent member being configured to absorb a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection portion including a plurality of first nozzles configured to eject a first liquid containing an inorganic pigment and a plurality of second nozzles configured to eject a second liquid not containing a substance having a hardness the same as or higher than a hardness of the inorganic pigment contained in the first liquid, and a control portion, wherein the control portion performs the cleaning such that a proportion of the inorganic pigment of the first liquid in a mixed liquid, remaining on the nozzle surface, containing the first liquid and the second liquid is smaller than a proportion of the inorganic pigment in the first liquid, and then performs wiping of the nozzle surface.