Printhead cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printhead cleaning systems face issues with excess liquid accumulation and dripping, which reduces the effectiveness of the cleaning operation and can damage electronic components, leading to increased costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A printhead cleaning system that includes a movable web with a dispensing apparatus, a scraper element, and a collector element, where the scraper element is positioned to remove excess liquid from the web and direct it into a collector trough, and a pusher element that ensures the web effectively wipes the printhead nozzles without excess liquid dripping, using a pusher element to manage the web's movement and liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a web is used to wipe the printhead face, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but excess liquid accumulates and drips onto electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophilic barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the web and the printhead face. This layer absorbs excess liquid from the web while allowing the web to maintain contact with the printhead for effective cleaning, thereby preventing liquid from reaching electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The web is modified by adding a hydrophilic barrier layer with specific liquid-absorbing properties at the region that contacts the printhead face. This localized modification allows the web to have different functional zones: one that maintains moisture for cleaning and another that absorbs excess liquid to prevent dripping
2Reliability
If liquid is applied to moisten the web, then cleaning performance is improved, but the web becomes over-saturated and liquid drips excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic barrier layer acts as a mediator that regulates liquid distribution. It allows controlled moisture transfer to the web for effective cleaning while intercepting and retaining excess liquid, preventing over-saturation and dripping
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the liquid absorption parameter by introducing a hydrophilic barrier layer with specific capillary properties. This layer has optimized pore structure and surface energy that allows it to absorb a specific amount of liquid, controlling the web's saturation level and preventing over-moistening
3Reliability
If a pusher element is used to urge the web against the printhead, then cleaning contact is improved, but the squeezing effect causes more liquid to drip
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophilic barrier layer serves as a mediator that absorbs the excess liquid generated by the squeezing action of the pusher element. This allows the pusher to maintain strong contact between the web and printhead for effective cleaning while the barrier layer prevents the squeezed liquid from reaching the printhead face and electronics
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 system establishes optimal wetting conditions for printhead cleaning, preventing excess liquid from reaching sensitive electronics and enhancing print quality, increasing printhead lifespan, and reducing downtime and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid upon the web... establishes optimal wetting conditions for printhead cleaning
Implementation Method 2
a scraper element for scraping liquid from the web
Implementation Method 3
a pusher element that is to push against the second side of the web and thereby cause the first side of the web to wipe the printhead face
Data Source
AI summary
In an example of the disclosure, a cleaning system for a printhead includes a web of material movable in a web direction. The web has a first side for wiping a printhead face. The cleaning system includes a dispensing apparatus to dispense a liquid upon the web. The cleaning system includes a scraper element for scraping liquid from the web and includes a collector element with a trough. The collector element is to cause collection of liquid scraped from the web to collect in the trough. The cleaning system includes a pusher element to push against the second side of the web and thereby cause the first side of the web to wipe the printhead face.