Overlay Wiping Device for Liquid Discharge Head Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge head maintenance devices lack an effective method to combine different materials for enhanced wiping performance, particularly in efficiently cleaning the nozzle surface of liquid discharge heads.
Innovation Solution
A wiping device that overlays a first web material with strong wiping properties and a second web material capable of holding cleaning liquid, both pressed against the nozzle surface by a pressing member, to achieve improved wiping performance without the need for a composite material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single material is used for wiping the nozzle surface, then the device complexity is low, but the wiping performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a first web material and a second web material into a single wiping member that contacts the nozzle surface. The first web material provides strong wiping action while the second web material holds cleaning liquid, creating a synergistic effect that improves wiping performance without requiring complex composite material fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses two different web materials with complementary properties: the first web material has strong wiping properties and the second web material has liquid holding properties. By overlaying these two materials, the system achieves enhanced wiping performance through functional complementarity rather than creating a single complex composite material
2Reliability
If a composite material is used to achieve both wiping and liquid holding properties, then the wiping performance is enhanced, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing a complex composite material with integrated wiping and liquid holding properties, the patent merges two separate simple web materials in an overlay configuration. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the functional benefits of a composite material through the combination of the first web material's wiping action and the second web material's liquid holding capability
3Reliability
If limited material combinations are used, then the device remains simple, but the wiping effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay configuration of the first and second web materials creates a versatile platform that can accommodate various material combinations. Different types of web materials can be selected and combined based on specific cleaning requirements, enabling the system to adapt to different nozzle surface conditions and contaminant types while maintaining the simple overlay structure
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
This configuration enhances wiping performance by utilizing the strengths of both materials, providing effective cleaning at a lower cost and expanding the range of possible combinations, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective setup.
Implementation Method 1
a first web material 41 and a second web material 42, both of which are pressed against a nozzle surface 111a of a liquid discharge head 111 by a pressing member 9
Implementation Method 2
the first web material 41 and the second web material 42 have different properties from one another, the second web material 42 is made of a material different from the first web material 41, and the second web material 42 is arranged on a back face of the first web material 41
Data Source
AI summary
A wiping device includes a first web material, a second web material, and a pressing member. The second web material is different from the first web material. The pressing member presses the first web material and the second web material to a target to be wiped. The first web material and the second web material are overlaid on top of one another and pressed against the target to be wiped.