Lateral Printhead Maintenance Unit for Non-Obstructive Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers with printhead arrays face issues of ink or contamination accumulation on nozzle plates, which can block nozzles or affect droplet jetting, requiring complex and costly maintenance units that obstruct the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A compact printhead maintenance unit that moves laterally over the print medium support surface for cleaning, allowing for simultaneous printing and maintenance without obstructing the printhead array, utilizing a support structure that includes a drive assembly and a drive mechanism for moving the printhead maintenance unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a maintenance unit is provided next to the print medium support surface for cleaning the printhead array, then the printhead array can be cleaned to remove ink or contamination accumulation, but the maintenance unit obstructs the printhead array printing on the print media
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance unit is made movable relative to the printhead array through a drive assembly. During printing, the maintenance unit is positioned away from the printing area. During maintenance, the drive assembly moves the maintenance unit into position to clean the printhead array. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the maintenance unit to occupy different positions based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance unit operates periodically rather than continuously. The system alternates between printing mode (where the maintenance unit is retracted) and maintenance mode (where the maintenance unit is positioned for cleaning). This periodic operation allows both printing and maintenance functions to be performed without mutual obstruction.
2Reliability
If the printhead array is moved to the maintenance unit for cleaning, then cleaning can be performed, but the system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the printhead array to the maintenance unit, the maintenance unit is moved to the printhead array. This inversion of the movement direction simplifies the system because the maintenance unit can remain stationary relative to the print medium support surface while being movable relative to the printhead array, reducing the complexity of the overall system.
3Reliability
If the maintenance unit is positioned to clean the printhead array, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the printing width and area are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The maintenance unit's position is dynamically adjusted based on whether cleaning or printing is the active operation. During printing, the maintenance unit is positioned to maximize printing area. During cleaning, the maintenance unit is positioned to optimize cleaning effectiveness. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and printing area.
Data Source
AI summary
A space efficient printhead maintenance unit for a printer is provided. The printer includes a printhead array defining a printing range over a print medium support surface, the printhead array is configured to at least partially form an image on the a print medium on the print medium support surface, wherein the print medium support surface extends in a transport direction, wherein the print medium is movable with respect to the printhead array and a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction; a printhead maintenance unit; a drive assembly configured to move the printhead maintenance unit with respect to the printhead array for at least partially cleaning the printhead array, wherein the printhead maintenance unit, in a first mode, is movable in the lateral direction over the print medium support surface for at least partially cleaning the printhead array.