Printhead Cap Cleaning During Continuous Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in effectively cleaning ink from caps without interrupting printing operations, especially with inks that have high viscosity or quick-drying properties, leading to ink adhesion and clogging.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a cap cleaner that can be independently attached and detached, equipped with a dropper and channel for cleaning liquid, and a holder that moves in the main-scanning direction, allowing for cleaning at any time during printing without interrupting operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cap is left open during printing operations, then printing productivity is improved, but ink dries and adheres to the cap causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The cap cleaner is positioned in advance at the printing position and automatically drops cleaning liquid onto the cap during printing operations, preventing ink adhesion before it occurs. This preliminary protective action allows the cap to remain open during printing without suffering from drying and clogging issues.
2Reliability
If the cap is covered to prevent ink adhesion, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but printing operations must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The cap cleaner enables continuous cleaning action during printing operations without interruption. The cleaning liquid is dropped onto the cap while printing continues, maintaining both productivity and preventing ink adhesion through ongoing cleaning rather than intermittent capping.
Solution Approach 2:
Cleaning liquid acts as an intermediary substance between the cap and the environment. It prevents ink from adhering to the cap by creating a protective layer or facilitating easy removal, allowing the cap to remain open during printing while still preventing clogging.
3Reliability
If cleaning is performed by stopping printing operations, then thorough cleaning is achieved, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Both printing and cleaning operations occur simultaneously without interruption. The cap cleaner continuously drops cleaning liquid onto the cap during printing, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while preserving printing productivity through uninterrupted operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap cleaner is pre-positioned and automatically activated during printing operations, performing cleaning actions in advance or concurrently with printing rather than after completion. This timing ensures thorough cleaning while maintaining continuous productivity.
4Reliability
If a fixed cleaning system is used, then cleaning reliability is improved, but adaptability to different printing positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cap cleaner is designed to move along the guide in the main-scanning direction, changing its position dynamically to match the printing position. This dynamic positioning maintains reliable cleaning while adapting to different printing locations throughout the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap cleaner serves multiple functions: it moves to different positions along the guide, drops cleaning liquid onto the cap, and can be quickly attached and detached. This multi-functionality provides both reliable cleaning and adaptability to various printing positions and operational requirements.
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
Enables efficient cleaning of the cap without disrupting the printing process, reducing ink adhesion and clogging, thereby maintaining productivity and reducing component replacement time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device connected to the cap
Implementation Method 2
a cap cleaner... to drop a cleaning liquid to the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a discharge face having a nozzle from which a liquid is discharged to a medium; a carriage, to which the liquid discharge head is mountable, and reciprocally movable in a main-scanning direction; a guide supporting the carriage to guide the carriage to move in the main-scanning direction; a cap to contact and seal the discharge face of the liquid discharge head; a suction device connected to the cap; and a cap cleaner, supported and guided by the guide to move in the main-scanning direction, to drop a cleaning liquid to the cap.