Printer Nozzle Cleaning Cap with Suction Fluid Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face nozzle clogging and print quality deterioration due to ink remaining on the nozzle surface, which can become firmly attached and cause leaks, making it difficult to clean effectively.
Innovation Solution
A printer design incorporating a cap with partitioned areas, supply and waste fluid flow paths, and a processor to manage the cleaning fluid, ensuring the cap fits closely to the nozzle surface by controlling gas channels and valves, allowing for efficient cleaning and prevention of ink attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap is removed from the nozzle surface in a state in which the cleaning fluid is in the cap, then the cleaning operation is completed, but the cleaning fluid remains on the leading end portion of the cap due to surface tension and may be mixed with ink, causing ink to attach firmly to the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful cleaning fluid from the cap before the cap contacts the nozzle surface. The suction portion removes cleaning fluid from the cap through the waste fluid flow path, preventing it from remaining on the leading end portion and subsequently mixing with ink to cause firm attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary removal of cleaning fluid from the cap before the cap is positioned to cover the nozzles. By using the suction portion to extract cleaning fluid in advance, the system prevents the harmful effect of ink attachment before it can occur during the normal operating cycle.
2Reliability
If ink attaches firmly to the leading end portion of the cap, then the cap cannot closely fit to the nozzle surface, but this creates gaps that allow cleaning fluid to leak
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cleaning fluid from the cap using the suction portion before the cap contacts the nozzle surface. This prevents cleaning fluid from leaking through gaps that would form if ink firmly attached to the cap's leading end portion, thereby maintaining proper cap sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by removing cleaning fluid from the cap before the harmful condition of ink attachment can develop. This preventive measure eliminates the root cause that would lead to both poor sealing and subsequent fluid leakage.
3Reliability
If the cap fits closely to the nozzle surface, then cleaning is effective, but cleaning fluid may remain on the cap and mix with ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cleaning fluid from the cap through the suction portion and waste fluid flow path before the cap contacts the nozzle surface. This ensures the cap can fit closely for effective cleaning while preventing cleaning fluid from remaining and contaminating ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary removal of cleaning fluid from the cap using the suction portion before the cleaning operation begins. This preliminary action ensures that when the cap subsequently fits closely to the nozzle surface for effective cleaning, no cleaning fluid remains to mix with and contaminate the 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
This design reduces the likelihood of nozzle clogging and improves print quality by ensuring thorough cleaning and easy cap alignment, preventing ink from drying and attaching to the cap.
Implementation Method 1
The suction portion is configured to perform suction
Implementation Method 2
due to the surface tension of the cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid may remain on the leading end portion of the cap on the nozzle surface
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a head, a wiper, a cap, a supply flow path, a supply opening/closing valve, a gas channel, a gas opening/closing valve, a waste fluid flow path, a suction portion, and a processor. The processor is configured to set a covered state in which the cap covers the at least one nozzle, supply the cleaning fluid to the cap, in the covered state, by opening the supply opening/closing valve, closing the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, discharge the cleaning fluid, in the covered state, by closing the supply opening/closing valve, opening the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, set an uncovered state in which covering the at least one nozzle by the cap is released, and cause the wiper to slide in contact with the nozzle surface, in the uncovered state, by moving the wiper relatively with respect to the nozzle surface.