Mist Capturing Unit for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in effectively capturing and preventing the contamination caused by mist generated during the ejection of liquid droplets, particularly at the center portion of the medium, which affects image quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a capturing unit that includes a catching unit and a fan to guide mist towards the catching unit, which is designed to capture mist immediately after its generation, reducing contamination and improving image quality by efficiently collecting and preventing mist from floating inside the apparatus or reaching the medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If suctioning holes are provided on the platen along the main scanning direction and mist is suctioned from holes at the outer side, then the structure is simple, but mist generated at the center portion of the medium cannot be collected effectively and mist diffusion continues inside the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The mist collection system is segmented into multiple functional units: capturing units positioned at both ends of the ejecting unit for immediate mist capture, a catching unit for collecting captured mist, and a liquid guiding unit for directing liquid. This segmentation allows effective mist collection at the center portion while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capturing units are positioned to capture mist immediately after generation from the ejecting unit, before the mist can diffuse throughout the apparatus. This preliminary action prevents mist diffusion and ensures efficient collection at the source.
2Productivity
If the capturing unit is positioned to capture mist immediately after generation, then mist collection efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional capturing and catching units
Solution Approach 1:
The capturing unit and catching unit are merged into an integrated assembly that moves together with the ejecting unit. This combining reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining high mist collection efficiency through immediate capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The capturing unit is designed to automatically capture and transfer mist to the catching unit as part of its reciprocating motion, without requiring separate control systems or additional mechanisms. This self-service approach reduces device complexity while maintaining efficiency.
3Productivity
If the fan generates strong air current to guide mist toward the catching unit, then mist capture efficiency is improved, but liquid droplets may be disturbed and affect recording accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates dynamically with variable speed control: it runs at high speed during the stopping period to efficiently guide mist to the catching unit, and at low speed during the recording period to minimize disturbance to liquid droplets. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between mist guidance efficiency and recording accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fan operates in periodic cycles corresponding to the carriage motion: high-speed operation during stopping periods for mist collection, and low-speed operation during recording periods for accurate liquid droplet placement. This periodic action pattern allows the system to achieve both mist capture efficiency and recording precision.
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
The solution effectively captures mist generated during liquid ejection, preventing contamination and enhancing image quality by ensuring that most mist is caught immediately after generation, thereby reducing the risk of mist-related contamination within the apparatus or on the medium.
Implementation Method 1
a capturing unit which captures mist generated along with ejecting of liquid from the ejecting unit... a fan to guide mist towards the catching unit
Data Source
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AI summary
A recording apparatus as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage which can move a recording head as an ejecting unit which ejects liquid onto a medium in a main scanning direction, in which the carriage is provided with capturing units which capture mist generated along with ejecting of the liquid from the recording head on at least one side of the recording head in the main scanning direction, and the capturing units include a catching unit which catches the mist.