Printhead Cap Sloping Seal Directing Ink Into Receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet imaging devices face challenges in preserving the operational status of printheads during inactivity, particularly with quickly drying inks that adhere to capping station seals, leading to integrity issues and ink loss.
Innovation Solution
A capping station with a receptacle and sloping sealing member is designed to enclose the printhead, directing ink away from the seals and using a flushing fluid to maintain ink viscosity and prevent drying, thereby preserving the operational status of inkjets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a capping station is used to cover the printhead during inactivity, then the ink drying problem is addressed, but ink adheres to the seals causing integrity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the sealing member is extracted and redirected. Instead of allowing ink to adhere to the seal surface, the sloped surface directs ink away from the seal into a collection receptacle, separating the sealing function from the ink collection function
Solution Approach 2:
A sloped intermediate surface is introduced between the printhead and the sealing member. This intermediate sloped surface acts as a mediator that redirects ink flow away from the seal, preventing direct contact and adhesion while maintaining the sealing function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the printhead is enclosed during inactivity, then ink drying is reduced, but ink accumulates on the sealing member causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulation problem is solved by extracting the ink from the sealing member surface and redirecting it into a dedicated collection receptacle, preventing ink from remaining on the seal and causing clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped surface creates a dimensional change in the ink flow path, directing ink laterally away from the seal into the receptacle rather than allowing vertical accumulation on the sealing member surface
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 capping station effectively reduces ink drying on seals and maintains the operational status of inkjets by directing ink into the receptacle and using a flushing fluid to prevent clogging and restore functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the sloping surface of the sealing member directing ink away from the seals and into a receptacle
Implementation Method 2
using a flushing fluid to maintain ink viscosity and prevent drying
Data Source
AI summary
A capping station is configured for storing a printhead during printer inactivity to restore and preserve the operational status of the nozzles in the printhead. Each capping station has a receptacle having at least one wall and a floor configured to enclose a volume partially, and a sealing member mounted to an upper surface of the at least one wall of the receptacle so the sealing member extends away from the upper surface of the at least one wall. The sealing member has a surface that slopes toward the volume within the receptacle to direct fluid on the sloping surface of the sealing member into the volume within the receptacle.