Printing Device Cleaning Section Segmentation for Uninterrupted Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices experience interruptions in the printing process when exchanging cleaning members due to security concerns and the need to open the replenishment area, which can stop the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A printing device with a cleaning section, a moving section, and a door member that allows the cleaning section to be locked in a closed state when not in use, enabling secure operation and uninterrupted printing by allowing the cleaning member to be exchanged without stopping the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door member is opened to exchange the cleaning member, then the cleaning member can be replenished, but the printing process is interrupted due to security concerns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning member exchangeVSAvoidprinting process continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a printing section and a cleaning section, with the cleaning section further divided into a cleaning area and a standby area. This segmentation allows the cleaning member exchange to occur in the standby area without affecting the printing process in the printing section, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A door member is introduced as an intermediary element that can be selectively opened or closed. The door member separates the cleaning area from the standby area, allowing operators to access the cleaning member through the door without opening the main replenishment area cover, thus enabling cleaning member exchange without interrupting the printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the opening/closing cover is opened in the replenishment area, then the cleaning member can be accessed, but security is compromised and printing process must stop

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning member accessVSAvoidprocess security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The replenishment area is segmented into a cleaning area and a standby area, separated by a door member. This allows independent access to the cleaning member without opening the main replenishment area cover, maintaining security while enabling easy access for cleaning member replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The door member serves as an intermediary that provides controlled access to the cleaning member. It can be opened by operators to exchange cleaning members while keeping the main replenishment area cover closed, thus maintaining security protocols while enabling necessary maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cleaning section remains connected to the moving section, then cleaning operations can be performed, but the cleaning section cannot be safely accessed for cleaning member exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning operation continuityVSAvoidcleaning member exchange accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the cleaning section and the moving section is made dynamic rather than fixed. The cleaning section can be disconnected from the moving section when not in use, allowing safe access for cleaning member exchange, and can be connected when needed for cleaning operations. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between maintaining cleaning operation continuity and enabling safe accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3960460B1Printing device and control method for printing device
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 FUJI CORP
  • EP3960460B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3960460B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3960460B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5

AI summary

A printing device includes a cleaning head configured to contact a cleaning member with the screen mask to perform a cleaning process on the screen mask, a moving section connectable and disconnectable to the cleaning head to move the cleaning head between a cleaning area and a standby area, a door member configured to open and close an opening portion through which the cleaning member passes when the cleaning member is moved from the standby area to an outside of the printing device and be lockable in a closed state, and a control section configured to unlock the door member in a state where the moving section is disconnected to the cleaning head and the cleaning head is located in the standby area.