Multicolor Printhead Maintenance Station With Segmented Wiping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional maintenance stations are inadequate for effectively removing multiple types of liquids and contaminants from jetting modules in line printheads, leading to nozzle clogging and reduced print quality, especially when dealing with configurations that eject different liquids simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance station with a wiping unit featuring separate wipers and a wiper moving mechanism for each nozzle array, along with a capping unit with cap pairs, allows for targeted cleaning and capping of first and second nozzle arrays, reducing liquid accumulation and contamination between arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single wiping unit is used for all nozzle arrays, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness for multiple liquid types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping unit is divided into multiple independent wipers, with each wiper dedicated to a specific nozzle array. This segmentation allows each wiper to be optimized for the specific liquid type and cleaning requirements of its assigned nozzle array, thereby improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring a completely separate wiping unit for each array.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wiper is configured with specific properties (such as material composition, hardness, or surface texture) that are locally optimized for the particular liquid type and nozzle characteristics it serves. This local quality optimization ensures that each wiper can effectively remove its specific liquid type while the overall system remains relatively simple.
2Reliability
If separate wipers are used for each nozzle array, then the cleaning effectiveness for multiple liquid types is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper moving mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions each wiper at its designated location, moves each wiper across its corresponding nozzle array, and coordinates the operation of all wipers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate actuation systems for each wiper, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite having multiple wipers.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple wipers are integrated onto a single shared moving mechanism that provides common support, actuation, and control. This merging approach allows the system to achieve the cleaning effectiveness of separate wipers while avoiding the full complexity of completely independent wiping systems for each nozzle array.
3Area of stationary object
If wiping is performed across the entire nozzle plate, then the cleaning coverage is maximized, but liquid accumulation in gaps between jetting modules increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping action is segmented into multiple independent wiper operations, each responsible for a specific nozzle array and its adjacent gaps. By confining each wiper's movement to its designated zone rather than spanning the entire nozzle plate, the system maintains adequate cleaning coverage for each array while preventing liquid from being pushed into and accumulating in the gaps between jetting modules.
Solution Approach 2:
Each wiper is positioned and configured to perform wiping locally at its specific nozzle array, with its movement limited to the immediate area of that array. This localized wiping approach ensures thorough cleaning of each array's surface while avoiding the harmful effect of pushing liquid into the gaps between modules, which would occur with a single wide-spanning wiper.
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance station apparatus for an ink jet printhead is provided. The printhead includes a plurality of jetting modules disposed side by side in a row and inclined relative to a direction of print media motion, each of the plurality of jetting modules including a nozzle face, each nozzle face including a first nozzle array configured to eject a first liquid and a second nozzle array configured to eject a second liquid. The maintenance station apparatus includes a wiping unit including a first wiper, a second wiper, and a wiper moving mechanism, the first wiper being associated with the first nozzle array of each jetting module and the second wiper being associated with the second nozzle array of each jetting module, and a capping unit including a plurality of cap pairs corresponding to the plurality of jetting modules, one cap of each cap pair being associated with the first nozzle array of the corresponding jetting module, the other cap of the cap pair being associated with the second nozzle array of the corresponding jetting module.