Printhead Wiping Layout to Prevent Ink-Reaction Liquid Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face discharge failures at discharge ports due to the reaction of a reaction liquid with ink during the wiping operation, leading to unintended agglutination of solid components and blockage of discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus is designed with a maintenance unit that uses a wiping member capable of absorbing both ink and reaction liquid, with separate wiping portions for each discharge port array, allowing for controlled wiping in a specific direction to prevent the reaction between the two liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single wiping member is used to wipe both ink discharge ports and reaction liquid discharge ports, then the wiping operation can be simplified, but the reaction liquid reacts with the ink causing agglutination and discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping member is divided into a first wiping portion and a second wiping portion that are spatially separated in the wiping direction. The first wiping portion corresponds to the ink discharge ports while the second wiping portion corresponds to the reaction liquid discharge ports. This segmentation prevents the reaction liquid from reaching the first wiping portion and reacting with the ink, thus maintaining discharge port reliability while keeping the wiping operation simple.
2Productivity
If the wiping member absorbs both ink and reaction liquid at the same location, then the wiping process becomes more efficient, but the solid components in the ink agglutinate due to the reaction with reaction liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping member is segmented into distinct first and second wiping portions arranged separately in the wiping direction. The first wiping portion handles ink absorption while the second wiping portion handles reaction liquid absorption. This spatial segmentation prevents the reaction liquid from contacting the ink and solid components in the first wiping portion, thereby eliminating agglutination while maintaining wiping efficiency through simultaneous absorption capabilities.
3Device complexity
If the first and second wiping portions are located at the same position, then the wiping member structure is simplified, but the reaction liquid reaches the ink wiping region causing discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping member is segmented into a first wiping portion and a second wiping portion that are positioned at different locations in the wiping direction. This segmentation creates spatial separation between the ink wiping region and the reaction liquid wiping region, preventing the reaction liquid from reaching the ink discharge port area. The segmented structure maintains simplicity while ensuring reliable discharge port function.
4Ease of manufacture
If the wiping member uses a single material with uniform absorption properties, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but it cannot effectively handle both ink and reaction liquid without causing reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping member exhibits local quality differences through its segmented structure. The first wiping portion and the second wiping portion, while potentially made of the same material, are positioned to interact with different substances (ink and reaction liquid respectively). This local functional differentiation allows each portion to optimize its interaction with the specific liquid it encounters, preventing harmful reactions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses discharge failures by preventing the reaction of reaction liquid with ink, maintaining the integrity of the discharge ports and ensuring consistent printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a wiping member provided with a property to absorb the ink and the reaction liquid
Implementation Method 2
a reaction liquid for promoting agglutination of a solid content dispersed in the ink
Implementation Method 3
promoting agglutination of a solid content dispersed in the ink
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus including a printing unit having a first discharge port array with a plurality of first discharge ports in a first direction that discharge first ink, a second discharge port array with a plurality of second discharge ports in the first direction, that discharge a reaction liquid to react with the first ink, and a third discharge port array with a plurality of third discharge ports in the first direction, the third discharge ports configured to discharge a second ink different from the first, the first discharge port array, the second discharge port array, and the third discharge port array being arranged on a discharge port surface in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. A maintenance unit is configured to wipe the discharge port surface with a wiping member provided with a property to absorb the first and second ink, and the reaction liquid.