Printer Head Cleaning Block With Differential Suction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The purging operation in printers can cause ink to adhere to the lower surfaces of the nozzles, leading to potential ejection failures due to the collapse of the ink meniscus if suction is applied to remove the adhering ink.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance system with a cleaning block that selectively applies suction only to the side faces of the nozzles while minimizing suction on the nozzle face, using strategically positioned vacuum holes to prevent ink from being sucked out of the nozzles, combined with a wiping mechanism to remove adhering ink and cleaning liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction is applied to remove ink adhering to the lower surfaces of the heads, then the ink removal effectiveness is improved, but the ink inside the nozzles may be sucked out causing meniscus collapse and ejection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning block is divided into different regions with distinct suction characteristics: a first region facing the nozzle face with minimal suction to preserve the meniscus, and second regions facing the side faces with stronger suction to remove adhering ink. This local differentiation of suction quality allows simultaneous protection of the nozzle interior and cleaning of the exterior surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If strong suction force is applied to remove adhering ink, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the ink meniscus in the nozzles may collapse
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cleaning block provide different suction forces: the first region facing the nozzle face provides weak suction to maintain meniscus stability, while the second regions facing the side faces provide strong suction for effective ink removal. This spatial variation in suction quality resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and meniscus protection.
3Reliability
If suction is applied to clean the lower surfaces of heads, then the adhesion removal is improved, but the ink ejection may be affected due to meniscus collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning block implements spatially differentiated suction: the first region facing the nozzle face applies minimal suction to preserve the meniscus and ensure reliable ink ejection, while the second regions facing the side faces apply stronger suction to remove adhering ink. This local quality differentiation simultaneously achieves both objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning block is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first region for protecting the nozzle face and a second regions for cleaning the side faces. This segmentation allows independent optimization of suction characteristics for each region, enabling simultaneous protection of the meniscus and effective removal of adhering ink.
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
Effectively removes ink from the nozzle surfaces without collapsing the meniscus, maintaining ink ejection functionality and reducing the occurrence of ejection failures.
Implementation Method 1
a method is conceivable in which ink is sucked from the lower surfaces of the heads
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A technique allows sucking ink adhering to the lower surface of a head and preventing the ink from being sucked out from the inside of nozzles of the head. A printer includes a head (61) that ejects ink and a maintenance unit (70) that performs maintenance of the head (61). The head (61) has a lower surface that includes a nozzle face provided with a plurality of nozzles, and side faces located adjacent to the nozzle face. The maintenance unit (70) includes a cleaning block 72 that sucks ink from the lower surface of the head (61). The cleaning block (72) has an upper surface that includes a first region that faces the nozzle face and second regions that face the side faces. A suction force acting on the first region is smaller than a suction force acting on the second regions. This reduces the possibility that the ink is sucked out from the inside of nozzles of the head (61).