Movable Cap Unit for Inkjet Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face clogging issues due to ink solvent evaporation in the ink ejection nozzles, leading to defects in image formation, which existing cap units do not adequately address during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A cap unit comprising a cap portion, a support plate, and a plate moving mechanism that intimately contacts the ink ejection surface of the recording head, preventing evaporation and clogging by moving between contact and non-contact positions, ensuring effective protection and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap unit is provided to protect the ink ejection surface, then clogging and evaporation are prevented, but the structure becomes more complex and the risk of friction damage during attachment/detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap unit employs a movable support plate that can dynamically adjust its position between contact and non-contact states relative to the ink ejection surface. This dynamic mechanism allows the cap to be in intimate contact with the ink ejection surface during storage/transport to prevent clogging and evaporation, while being easily detachable to avoid friction damage during recording operations, thus resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and operational safety
Solution Approach 2:
The cap unit is divided into functionally independent components: a cap portion for protection, a movable support plate for positioning, and a unit frame for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall attachment and detachment process, reducing the risk of friction damage during operation
2Reliability
If the cap portion is always in contact with the ink ejection surface, then protection is maximized, but friction damage may occur during attachment and detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling it to transition between contact and non-contact positions. During storage and transport, the support plate is positioned to allow intimate contact between the cap portion and ink ejection surface for maximum protection. During recording operations, the support plate can be moved to separate the cap from the ink ejection surface, eliminating friction damage risks during attachment and detachment
3Device complexity
If the support plate is fixed to the unit frame, then structure is simplified, but the ability to adjust contact position is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to change position relative to the unit frame. This dynamic design provides adaptability to meet different operational requirements: the support plate can be positioned to enable intimate contact between the cap and ink ejection surface for protection, or moved away to prevent friction during recording operations, thus maintaining versatility without excessive structural complexity
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 cap unit effectively prevents ink ejection surface clogging and evaporation, ensuring reliable operation and reducing the risk of defects during transportation and maintenance, while also preventing leakage of preservation liquid.
Implementation Method 1
evaporation of ink solvent in an ink ejection nozzle provided in a recording head increases the concentration of the ink, which sometimes causes clogging of an ink ejection port
Data Source
AI summary
A cap unit includes a cap portion which intimately contacts an ink ejection surface of a recording head of an inkjet recording apparatus, a support plate, a unit frame, and a plate moving mechanism. The support plate has the cap portion fixed thereto, and is supported to be movable in an up-down direction with respect to the unit frame. The unit frame supports the support plate, and has a fixing mechanism with respect to the inkjet recording apparatus. The plate moving mechanism is capable of moving the support plate, with the unit frame fixed to the inkjet recording apparatus, to a first position at which the cap portion is in contact with the ink ejection surface, and to a second position at which the cap portion is apart from the ink ejection surface.