Ink Jet Nozzle Guard Absorbing Member Gap Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet printing apparatuses face challenges in removing ink that enters the gap between the nozzle guard and the ink ejection surface, leading to ejection failures due to movement of the ink jet head and repeated opening and closing of the cap, which can block the ink ejecting port.

Innovation Solution

An ink jet printing apparatus with a sheet-shaped absorbing member that covers the opening of the nozzle guard, pressed onto the gap by a pressing mechanism, effectively removing ink from the gap and preventing ejection failures during head movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a nozzle guard is provided to protect the ink ejection surface, then the ink ejection surface is protected from damage, but ink can enter the gap between the ink ejection surface and the nozzle guard causing ejection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of ink ejection surfaceVSAvoidink entering the gap

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful element (ink) from the gap between the ink ejection surface and the nozzle guard by introducing an absorbing member that actively absorbs and removes ink, preventing it from blocking the ink ejecting ports

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element (absorbing member) between the ink ejection surface and the nozzle guard that mediates the interaction by absorbing ink and preventing it from reaching the ink ejecting ports

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If purging and wiping operations are performed to remove ink from the nozzle, then ink adhered to the ink ejecting port is removed, but ink can enter the gap between the ink ejection surface and the nozzle guard during these operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink removal from nozzleVSAvoidink entering the gap during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by placing the absorbing member in position before the purging and wiping operations, so that ink is absorbed as it enters the gap during these operations, preventing it from blocking the ink ejecting ports

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by having the absorbing member continuously absorb ink during the purging and wiping operations, maintaining the effectiveness of these operations without interruption or additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If the cap is repeatedly opened and closed during standby state to prevent nozzle drying, then the nozzle is protected from drying, but ink in the gap can move to block the ink ejecting port

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of nozzle dryingVSAvoidink movement blocking nozzle

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful element (ink) from the gap by using the absorbing member to absorb ink, preventing it from moving and blocking the ink ejecting ports during cap opening and closing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbing member acts as an intermediary that remains in place during cap opening and closing operations, mediating the interaction between the ink in the gap and the ink ejecting ports by absorbing the ink and preventing it from blocking the nozzles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 allows for reliable removal of ink from the gap between the nozzle guard and ink ejection surface, preventing ejection failures and enabling continuous printing operations.

Implementation Method 1

a sheet-shaped absorbing member that covers the opening of the nozzle guard, pressed onto the gap by a pressing mechanism, effectively removing ink from the gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10759170B2Ink jet printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 RISO KAGAKU CORP

AI summary

The ink jet printing apparatus includes: an ink jet head having a nozzle row in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged and a nozzle guard with an opening at a portion corresponding to the nozzle row, provided at a position via a gap with respect to an ink ejection surface of the nozzle row; a sheet shaped absorbing member having a size that covers a range of the opening of the nozzle guard; and a capping unit that presses the absorbing member onto the opening of the nozzle guard.