Printhead Maintenance Capper Air Blast Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printheads, especially pagewidth models, face operational failures due to particulate accumulation and nozzle clogging, which existing maintenance methods like rubber squeegees cannot effectively address without risking damage to the printhead or requiring high power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A printhead maintenance station using a capper with a constriction member to create a blast channel, employing air blasting to remove ink and particulates without physical contact, utilizing a vacuum system and air inlet valve to manage airflow and reduce power requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rubber squeegee is used to remove ink and particulates from the printhead face, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging sensitive MEMS structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoiddamage to printhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical rubber squeegee system with a pneumatic air blasting system. Compressed air is directed through a channel formed by the constriction member to blow ink and particulates off the printhead face without physical contact, eliminating the risk of mechanical damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses compressed air (pneumatics) to create a high-velocity jet that removes ink and particulates from the printhead face. The air is channeled through a constriction member that focuses the airflow into a directed blast, providing effective cleaning through pneumatic force rather than mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of manufacture

If high power is used to blast air across the printhead face to remove ink, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The constriction member creates a localized high-velocity air jet focused precisely where needed on the printhead face. By concentrating the airflow through a narrow channel rather than using broad low-pressure air distribution, the system achieves effective cleaning with lower overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The constriction member transforms the air flow from a two-dimensional broad surface contact into a focused three-dimensional jet with high velocity in a specific direction. This dimensional transformation of the airflow pattern increases cleaning effectiveness while reducing the total energy required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If a constriction member is positioned close to the printhead face to create an effective blast channel, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of physical contact and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidprinthead integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The constriction member acts as an intermediary that directs the air blast through a controlled channel. It positions the airflow pathway close to the printhead face for effective cleaning while maintaining a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the air jet and the printhead surface, thus protecting against damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains printheads in an operational condition by purging decapped nozzles and removing flooded ink without damaging sensitive MEMS structures, while being energy-efficient and suitable for integration into desktop printers.

Implementation Method 1

generating a vacuum over said face using said vacuum system, thereby purging ink from printhead nozzles onto said face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

opening said air inlet valve, thereby blasting air through said blast channel and removing ink from said face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir blasting: Jet

Data Source

PatentUS7387358B2Printhead maintenance assembly configured for air blast cleaning

Publication Date: 2008.06.17 MEMJET TECH LTD

AI summary

A printhead maintenance assembly is provided, comprising a printhead and a maintenance station. The maintenance station comprises a capper sealingly engageable around the printhead. The capper includes a constriction member for defining a blast channel adjacent an ink ejection face of the printhead. The maintenance station also comprises a vacuum system in fluid communication with the capper and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism is provided for moving the capper between a first position in which the capper is sealingly engaged around the printhead and a second position in which the capper is disengaged from around the printhead.