Printhead Maintenance Station Wiper Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing systems face issues with debris accumulation on nozzle plates, which interferes with ink ejection, and existing cleaning methods are inadequate for maintaining printheads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A printhead maintenance station with a wiper bar and actuator system that moves the wiper from a stored to a wiping position to clean the nozzle plate, allowing for relative movement between the maintenance station and the print unit to effectively remove debris and dried ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiper is continuously positioned to wipe the nozzle plate, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the risk of debris drying on the wiper and nozzle plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning action by positioning the wiper to wipe the nozzle plate before debris can dry and harden. The controller is adapted to periodically move the wiper bar to the wiping position during operation, preventing debris accumulation before it becomes problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper bar is designed to move periodically between stored and wiping positions rather than remaining continuously engaged. The controller activates the actuator at predetermined intervals or based on printing conditions to perform cleaning cycles, maintaining effectiveness while minimizing debris transfer to the wiper.
2Reliability
If the wiper is moved frequently to clean the nozzle plate, then debris removal is improved, but the complexity of the maintenance system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper bar assembly serves multiple functions: it stores the wiper when not in use, positions the wiper for cleaning operations, and facilitates the cleaning action itself. The actuator provides both positioning and cleaning functions through a single mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance station is designed to clean the nozzle plate using its own integrated components without requiring external intervention. The controller automatically manages the wiper bar movement and cleaning cycles based on system operation, making the system self-maintaining.
3Area of stationary object
If the wiper bar remains in the wiping position, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the risk of ink and debris drying on the wiper increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper bar is designed as a dynamic component that moves between stored and wiping positions rather than remaining static. During printing operations, the controller periodically actuates the wiper bar to contact the nozzle plate for cleaning, then returns it to the stored position to prevent drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary wiping action at the beginning of maintenance cycles to remove freshly ejected ink and debris before they can dry. The controller is adapted to initiate cleaning operations at optimal intervals, ensuring the wiper contacts the nozzle plate while debris is still removable.
Data Source
AI summary
A printhead maintenance station to cleaning a nozzle plate of a printhead and a method of operating the printhead maintenance station are disclosed. The printhead maintenance station includes a wiper bar, a wiper secured to the wiper bar, a wiper cleaning assembly, and an actuator. The wiper is stored in the wiper cleaning assembly when not in use. The controller operates the actuator to rotate the wiper bar to move the wiper from the wiper cleaning assembly to a wiping position, and causes relative movement of the printhead maintenance station and the print unit to wipe the nozzle plate with the wiper.