Printhead Wiping Liquid Control for Variable Ink Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies inefficiently use wiping members due to fixed wiping operations, leading to insufficient cleaning and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that applies wiping liquid based on the adhesion amount of ink, using a control unit to manage the wiping process according to ink adhesion and ejection duty, optimizing the use of wiping members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiping member is wound up by a fixed amount each time a wiping operation is performed, then a new wiping area is supplied for the next wiping operation, but the wiping member cannot be used efficiently leading to insufficient wiping and unnecessary increase in cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the wiping member wound-up amount variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the wound-up amount based on detected ink adhesion amounts, allowing the system to adapt the wiping member usage to actual cleaning needs. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring sufficient wiping when ink adhesion is high while reducing unnecessary consumption when ink adhesion is low.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wiping member wound-up amount from a constant value to a variable value determined by ink adhesion detection. By dynamically adjusting this parameter based on actual conditions, the system achieves both reliable wiping effectiveness and reduced wiping member consumption, resolving the technical contradiction between these two objectives.
2Ease of operation
If the wiping member is wound up by a fixed amount regardless of ink adhesion, then the wiping operation is simple to control, but the wiping member is not used efficiently increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by using the wiping unit to automatically detect ink adhesion amounts and adjust its own wound-up amount accordingly. The control unit processes the detection results and autonomously determines the appropriate wound-up amount, eliminating the need for manual intervention while optimizing wiping member usage to reduce consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the ink adhesion amount on the wiping member and using this information to adjust the wound-up amount for the next wiping operation. This closed-loop control maintains ease of operation while preventing excessive wiping member consumption by adjusting usage based on actual cleaning requirements.
3Productivity
If wiping operation is performed with fixed parameters, then the process is simple and fast, but cleaning effectiveness varies with ink adhesion amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the ink adhesion amount before the wiping operation and pre-determining the appropriate wound-up amount. This allows the system to quickly execute the wiping operation with optimized parameters without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness, maintaining high productivity while ensuring reliable cleaning results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains productivity by quickly adjusting the wound-up amount based on pre-detected ink adhesion levels. The dynamic parameter adjustment occurs rapidly through automated control, allowing the wiping operation to proceed efficiently with optimized effectiveness for each specific ink adhesion condition.
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
Enhances the efficiency of wiping members by ensuring effective cleaning while reducing unnecessary consumption and costs.
Implementation Method 1
apply the wiping liquid to a wiping area that wipes the predetermined area, according to an adhesion amount of ink adhering to the wiping member
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit with an ejection port surface, on which is formed an ejection port array with a plurality of ejection ports that ejects ink, a wiping unit with a wiping member for wiping a predetermined area including the ejection port array, and to wipe the predetermined area by relative movement with the printing unit, an application unit to apply a wiping liquid for re-dispersing the ink, and a control unit to control the application unit to apply the wiping liquid to a wiping area, according to an amount of ink adhering to the wiping member. The application unit applies a first amount of the wiping liquid to the wiping area when the adhesion amount is a first amount, and applies a second amount, less than the first, to the wiping area when the adhesion amount is a second adhesion amount, less than the first.