Inkjet Printhead Maintenance Station Vertical Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printhead maintenance stations in inkjet printers require significant space adjacent to the media path, increasing the printer's footprint, which limits space efficiency in printing facilities.

Innovation Solution

A compact printhead maintenance station is designed to be stored within the print zone of an inkjet printer, utilizing a curved rack and pinion system to vertically position printhead cleaning modules, allowing them to be moved between printheads and the media transport path without obstructing it, thereby reducing the printer's footprint.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional printhead maintenance stations are positioned adjacent to the media path, then printhead cleaning function is provided, but the printer footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinthead cleaning functionVSAvoidprinter footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance station transitions from a horizontal arrangement adjacent to the media path to a vertical arrangement within the print zone. The cleaning modules are positioned above the printheads in the vertical dimension, allowing access to printheads without occupying horizontal space next to the media path. This dimensional change enables the station to be stored within the print zone while maintaining cleaning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance station is nested within the existing printer structure, specifically within the print zone above the printheads. The cleaning modules are integrated into the printer chassis and positioned to overlap with the printhead area vertically, effectively nesting the maintenance function within the printing function's spatial envelope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If printhead cleaning modules are moved to within the print zone, then printer footprint is reduced, but space efficiency is optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter footprintVSAvoidprinthead cleaning access

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning modules are designed to be movable rather than fixed. Actuators enable the cleaning modules to move between a stored position within the print zone and a working position adjacent to the printheads. This dynamic positioning allows the system to minimize footprint during storage while providing easy access to printheads during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning modules are pre-positioned within the print zone in a stored state, ready for deployment. When maintenance is needed, the actuators automatically move the cleaning modules to the appropriate position next to the printheads, eliminating the need for manual intervention to reposition heavy cleaning components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12122163B2System and method for storing printhead cleaning modules in a print zone of an inkjet printer

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 XEROX CORP

AI summary

An inkjet printer includes one or more printhead maintenance stations. Each station is positioned within the print zone of the inkjet printer and includes at least one printhead cleaning module. The at least one printhead cleaning module is configured to move from a first position that is not between the media transport and the at least one printhead to a second position where the at least one printhead cleaning module is between the at least one printhead and the media transport.