Print Head Cleaning and Moisturizing to Prevent Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printers suffer from low reliability due to ink corrosion and blockage of the print head, which can lead to printing failures and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A maintenance method involving a cleaning liquid to dissolve dry ink and remove blockages, followed by a less corrosive moisturizing liquid to keep the print head moist, reducing the risk of corrosion and blockage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cleaning liquid is used to clean the print head, then blockage is removed, but corrosion damage occurs to plastic film, seal glue, and circuits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint head reliabilityVSAvoidcorrosion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance process is divided into two distinct stages: first using cleaning liquid to remove blockages, then using moisturizing liquid to protect the print head. This segmentation allows each liquid to serve its specific function without causing harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The moisturizing liquid acts as an intermediary protective layer between the cleaning liquid and the print head components. It is applied after cleaning to neutralize residual corrosiveness and provide ongoing protection, effectively mediating the interaction between cleaning agents and sensitive components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If ink is used for printing, then printing function is achieved, but ink accumulates and precipitates at the print head causing blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting functionVSAvoidprint head blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary cleaning actions automatically after printing completes. The cleaning liquid is introduced to dissolve and remove accumulated ink and precipitates before they can cause blockages, preventing the problem before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance process creates a continuous cycle of printing followed by cleaning and moisturizing. This continuous action ensures that ink is constantly managed and removed, preventing accumulation while maintaining printing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If cleaning liquid is used to clean the print head, then printing quality is maintained, but service life of the print head is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting qualityVSAvoidprint head service life

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance process is divided into cleaning phase and protection phase. The cleaning liquid maintains printing quality by removing blockages, while the subsequent moisturizing liquid protects the print head components, segmenting the functions to achieve both quality maintenance and service life extension.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The moisturizing liquid provides beforehand cushioning protection against future corrosion damage. By applying this protective layer after cleaning, the system prepares the print head in advance to resist corrosion from subsequent printing operations, cushioning against potential damage before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 method improves the operation reliability of the printer by minimizing corrosion and blockage, ensuring consistent printing quality and extending the print head's service life.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning liquid to be poured into the print head in response to the printing completion signal, the cleaning liquid being configured to clean the print head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

a moisturizing liquid to be poured into the print head in response to the cleaning completion signal, wherein the moisturizing liquid may be configured to keep the print head moist

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260070340A1Maintenance Method and Care Method of Print Head, Printer, and Printing Apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SHENZHEN ANKER SMART TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a maintenance method and a care method of a print head, a printer, and a printing apparatus. After printing completion, cleaning liquid may be controlled to be poured into a print head to clean the print head. After cleaning completion, less corrosive moisturizing liquid may be poured into the print head to keep the print head moist, which can reduce concern of blockage of the print head. This approach may reduce retention time of the ink in the print head. The less corrosive moisturizing liquid may be used to keep the print head moist and/or reduce possibility of the print head being corroded. Such approaches may maintain an operational performance of the print head.