Nozzle Face Wiping Device Two-Direction Web Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle face wiping devices for inkjet printing devices become complex and large when attempting to wipe the nozzle face in two directions, leading to issues like forced web drawing and meniscus instability due to back pressure changes and bubble mixing.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle face wiping device with a rotatable supply shaft, a wiping web wound around it, and braking means to control the web's direction, allowing the web to be braked on the upstream side when moving in the same direction as the nozzle face, preventing forced drawing and enabling two-direction wiping without reciprocating the entire device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the running direction of the wiping web is switched to enable two-direction nozzle face wiping, then the versatility of the wiping device is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for reciprocating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reciprocating the wiping web to achieve two-direction wiping, the invention inverts the approach by reciprocating the nozzle face in the same direction that the wiping web runs. This allows the nozzle face to be wiped in both directions without requiring the wiping web to reverse direction, thereby maintaining a simple device structure while achieving versatile two-direction cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a braking means as an intermediary component that controls the relative movement between the wiping web and the nozzle face. By selectively applying brakes to either the wiping web or the nozzle face, the system can control contact and separation without requiring complex reciprocating mechanisms, thus achieving two-direction wiping with simple device structure
2Device complexity
If the wiping web runs in the same direction as the nozzle face movement, then the device structure is simplified, but the wiping web is forcefully drawn out from the supply shaft causing slack
Solution Approach 1:
The braking means acts as an intermediary control mechanism that prevents the wiping web from being forcefully drawn out from the supply shaft. By applying the brake to the wiping web when it runs in the same direction as nozzle face movement, the system maintains proper web tension and prevents slack formation, thereby ensuring reliable operation while keeping the device structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The braking means applies preliminary counter-action to prevent the harmful effect of the wiping web being forcefully drawn out from the supply shaft. By braking the web before excessive tension can develop, the system prevents web slack and maintains reliable tension control throughout operation
3Ease of operation
If reciprocating mechanisms are added to switch the contact/separation of the wiping member to the nozzle face, then the control flexibility is improved, but the device becomes complicated and large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using reciprocating mechanisms to control contact and separation, the invention employs braking means as an intermediary. By selectively applying brakes to the wiping web or the nozzle face, the system can control contact and separation states without requiring additional reciprocating components, thus maintaining operational flexibility while keeping the device compact and simple
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the reciprocating function from the system by using braking control instead. The contact and separation control is achieved through independent braking of the wiping web or nozzle face, eliminating the need for complex reciprocating mechanisms and reducing device size while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a nozzle face wiping device and image recording device that can switch whether to wipe out a nozzle face by a simple mechanism. One mode of the present invention is a nozzle face wiping device that includes: a long wiping web 110 that wipes out the nozzle face 33; wiping web running drive means for running the wiping web 110 along the longitudinal direction; a pressure roller 118 that presses and contacts the wiping web 110 to the nozzle face 33; a spring 156 that gives force to press the wiping web 110 to the nozzle face 33 through the pressure roller 118; and tension giving means for giving tension to the wiping web 110 by making the running speed on the downstream side of the wiping web 110 with respect to the pressure roller 118 faster than the running speed on the upstream side, and moving the pressure roller 118 in a direction against the biasing force of the spring 156, where whether to wipe out the nozzle face is switched by giving the tension, and an image recording device including this.