Inkjet Printhead Maintenance Fluid Bath Particulate Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance systems for inkjet printheads are inefficient in high particulate environments, as wiper materials become clogged quickly in contact methods and non-contact methods are less effective in removing particulates from the nozzle face.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance system with a fluid bath and traversing mechanism that uses a cleaning fluid with higher surface tension and air suction to create foam, without contacting the nozzle face, utilizing an aerofoil profile and replenishable wiper materials to efficiently remove particulates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wiper material is used to remove particulates from the nozzle face, then particulate removal efficiency is improved, but the wiper material becomes rapidly clogged and requires frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the wiper material contacting the nozzle face directly. Instead of having the wiper touch the nozzles, the system uses a fluid bath that receives particulates indirectly from the nozzle face, allowing particulate removal without the wiper material becoming clogged by direct contact with nozzle-mounted particulates
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid bath acts as an intermediary between the nozzle face and the wiper material. Particulates are transferred from the nozzle face to the fluid bath, and then removed by the wiper at the downstream end, preventing direct contact between the wiper and nozzle-mounted particulates that cause clogging
2Reliability
If non-contact methods are used to remove particulates, then the nozzle face is protected from damage, but particulate removal efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid bath serves as an intermediary that enables effective particulate removal without direct contact between the wiper and nozzle face. The fluid bath captures particulates from the nozzle face through fluid dynamics, and the wiper removes them from the fluid bath, achieving both protection and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles with the fluid bath to transfer particulates from the nozzle face. The fluid flow carries particulates away from the nozzle face and to the downstream wiper location, enabling effective removal without mechanical contact that could damage the nozzles
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 system effectively removes particulates from the nozzle face by maximizing fluid velocity and using foam to entrain and dislodge them, while maintaining wiper material effectiveness and reducing clogging, suitable for high-particulate environments like 3D printing.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid bath is configured to provide a greater fluid velocity at the downstream end relative to the upstream end
Implementation Method 2
uses a cleaning fluid with higher surface tension and air suction to create foam
Implementation Method 3
uses a cleaning fluid with higher surface tension and air suction to create foam
Implementation Method 4
using foam to entrain and dislodge them
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A printhead maintenance system (1) includes: an elongate inkjet printhead (3) having a nozzle face (8) containing a plurality of inkjet nozzles; a carriage (5) movable longitudinally along the printhead in a cleaning direction, the carriage including a maintenance member (7) having: a fluid bath (20) having a mouth opposing the nozzle face (8) of the printhead, a primary fluid inlet (24) at an upstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction and a fluid outlet (26) at a downstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction; and a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage (5) longitudinally along the printhead (3) in the cleaning direction. The maintenance member (7) does not contact inkjet nozzles (8) of the printhead (3), and the fluid bath (20) is configured to provide a greater fluid velocity at the downstream end relative to the upstream end.