Liquid Discharge Head Cleaner With Replaceable Wiper Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head cleaners for liquid discharge apparatuses incur high maintenance and replacement costs due to the need to replace the entire wiper assembly, which can stain the nozzle face and require frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
The head cleaner is designed with a wiper assembly that separates the wiper sheet and flexible presser, allowing the wiper sheet to be replaced independently, reducing the frequency of replacements and maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire wiper assembly is replaced when stained, then the nozzle face can be cleaned effectively, but maintenance and replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly is divided into two separable components: a reusable flexible presser and a disposable wiping portion. The flexible presser maintains structural integrity and pressing force, while the wiping portion can be replaced independently when stained, eliminating the need to replace the entire assembly and reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The staining-prone wiping portion is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the flexible presser. This allows the functional pressing mechanism to be retained while discarding only the contaminated wiping layer, optimizing resource utilization and reducing waste.
2Reliability
If a rigid presser is used to apply sufficient cleaning pressure, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the nozzle face may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The presser is constructed from a flexible material that can deform to match the nozzle face contour, ensuring uniform pressure distribution. This flexibility prevents concentration of stress on specific nozzle areas, eliminating the risk of damage while maintaining effective cleaning pressure across the entire surface.
3Device complexity
If a non-removable wiper assembly is used, then device complexity is reduced, but replacement frequency increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly is segmented into a permanent flexible presser and a consumable wiping portion connected by a securing member. This segmentation enables selective replacement of only the wiping portion, reducing the frequency and cost of replacements while adding minimal complexity through the detachable connection mechanism.
4Shape
If the flexible presser has high flexibility, then it conforms to the nozzle face better, but pressing force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible presser material is engineered to provide optimal balance between flexibility and structural rigidity. It conforms to the nozzle face shape for uniform contact while maintaining sufficient inherent stiffness to generate adequate pressing force without requiring additional mechanical actuation.
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 design reduces the costs associated with replacement parts and maintenance by allowing only the wiper sheet to be replaced while maintaining the flexibility needed to clean the nozzle face without damaging it, thus lowering overall maintenance expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible presser has a flexibility that is greater than a flexibility of the nozzle face
Data Source
AI summary
A head cleaner cleans a nozzle face of a liquid discharge head. The head cleaner includes a wiper that wipes and cleans the nozzle face. The wiper includes a wiping portion that contacts and wipes the nozzle face. A flexible presser presses the wiping portion against the nozzle face. The flexible presser has a flexibility that is greater than a flexibility of the nozzle face. A support supports the wiper. A securing member secures the wiping portion to the flexible presser removably.