Movable Platen Auxiliary Support for Inkjet Printhead Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the flatness of recording paper during transport while preventing the auxiliary support portion from being dirtied by ink during flushing operations, especially when discharge ports are not opposed to the ribs on the platen.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a platen having openings and auxiliary support portions that can be moved between positions, allowing controlled ink discharge to prevent ink from adhering to the support portions, ensuring the recording medium's flatness and preventing dirtiness during flushing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ribs are not formed at positions opposed to discharge ports to prevent ink adhesion, then the auxiliary support portion is kept clean during flushing, but the flatness of recording paper during transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary support portion is made movable in the first direction (perpendicular to transport direction) between a first position where it opposes discharge ports and a second position where it does not oppose discharge ports. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt between two conflicting requirements: supporting paper flatness (when positioned at first position) and preventing ink adhesion (when positioned at second position during flushing operations)
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary support portion is repositioned periodically based on operational mode: during normal recording operations, it is positioned at the first position to maintain paper flatness; during flushing operations, it is positioned at the second position to prevent ink adhesion. This periodic switching between positions resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate configuration at the appropriate time
2Stability of the object's composition
If ribs are formed across the entire platen to secure flatness, then recording paper flatness is maintained, but ink adheres to the ribs during flushing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary support portion is made movable in the first direction (perpendicular to transport direction) between a first position where it opposes discharge ports and a second position where it does not oppose discharge ports. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt between two conflicting requirements: supporting paper flatness (when positioned at first position) and preventing ink adhesion (when positioned at second position during flushing operations)
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary support portion is repositioned periodically based on operational mode: during normal recording operations, it is positioned at the first position to maintain paper flatness; during flushing operations, it is positioned at the second position to prevent ink adhesion. This periodic switching between positions resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate configuration at the appropriate time
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a first direction; a transport mechanism which transports a recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a platen which is provided opposingly to the plurality of discharge ports and which supports the recording medium, the platen having an opening and an auxiliary support portion; a liquid receiving member which is provided on a side opposite to the liquid discharge head with respect to the platen and which receives a liquid discharged from the plurality of discharge ports; a movement mechanism which moves the auxiliary support portion of the platen between a first position and a second position separated in the first direction from the first position; and a control unit which controls the liquid discharge head and the movement mechanism.