Printing Apparatus Ejection Port Capping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the ejection performance of print heads due to ink thickening and solidification when the print operation is stopped, leading to potential damage to the ejection port surface and reduced print quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a capping mechanism that selectively opens and closes the ejection port surface using a combination of head moving and cap moving mechanisms, allowing for controlled exposure and protection of the ejection ports, and a control system that calculates and manages the estimated time for switching between open and closed states based on past print operation data to minimize ink evaporation and thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the print operation is stopped, then the print head can be protected from damage, but the ink in the ejection ports thickens and solidifies due to solvent evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The capping member is positioned in advance to cover the ejection port surface before ink thickening occurs. The control unit predicts the timing when ink may thicken based on stored print operation history, and activates the capping mechanism preemptively to prevent the harmful effect rather than reacting after the problem occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit stores and analyzes past print operation data to predict future ink thickening timing. This feedback mechanism uses historical information about print frequency and duration to dynamically adjust when the capping member should be activated, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to actual usage patterns.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the capping member covers the ejection port surface continuously, then ink thickening is prevented, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capping mechanism transitions from a static continuous-cover design to a dynamic selective-cover design. The capping member moves between covering and exposed states based on real-time predictions of ink thickening risk, allowing the system to maintain ink stability only when necessary rather than continuously, thereby reducing unnecessary mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically determines when capping is needed by analyzing stored print operation data itself, without requiring external input or manual intervention. The system serves its own monitoring and control functions, using its internal data storage and processing capabilities to autonomously manage the capping mechanism timing.
3Reliability
If the print head is capped during non-printing periods, then ejection performance is maintained, but printing downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capping action is performed preliminarily only when prediction indicates imminent ink thickening risk, rather than continuously during all non-printing periods. This selective preliminary capping maintains performance protection while minimizing the duration of capped state, thereby reducing impact on printing productivity when the head needs to be uncapped.
Solution Approach 2:
The capping mechanism operates periodically based on predicted ink thickening cycles rather than continuously. The control unit determines optimal intervals for capping and uncapping operations based on stored print history patterns, creating a rhythmic operation schedule that balances protection needs with productivity requirements.
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 solution effectively prevents ink thickening and solidification, maintains ejection port performance, and reduces downtime between print operations, thereby enhancing print quality and productivity by ensuring the print head remains in a suitable state for immediate printing.
Implementation Method 1
thickening/solidification of print liquid associated with the evaporation of a solvent in the print liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention intends to provide a printing apparatus that can lessen a reduction in ejection performance caused by thickening, solidification, or the like of print liquid in an ejection port of a printing unit even in the case of stopping a print operation by the printing unit to perform a post-process on a print medium. The printing apparatus includes a post-processing part configured to, in a state of stopping the print operation by the printing unit, perform the post-process on a printed print medium as well as including an open/close unit configured to selectively perform a closing operation or an opening operation of the ejection port provided in the printing unit. Further, when the print medium is stopped in the post-processing part, the open/close unit is controlled so as to bring the ejection port into a close state.