Printing Apparatus Movable Containment Devices for Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face issues with printing liquids oozing from inactive heads, leading to costly replacements due to environmental exposure and evaporation, and current solutions are complex, bulky, and not suitable for industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact printing apparatus with independently movable containment devices that can be positioned under printing heads to collect leaking liquids and hermetically seal them, allowing for selective operation of printing groups to prevent waste and extend downtime duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If containment devices are added to protect printing heads, then printing head lifespan is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment devices are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be dynamically positioned under printing heads when needed and retracted when not in use. This dynamic configuration protects printing heads during downtime while maintaining a compact design during operation, resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment devices serve multiple functions: they collect leaking printing liquid, protect printing heads from environmental exposure, and can be selectively positioned for different printing groups. This multi-functionality justifies their inclusion while maximizing their utility across multiple protective roles.
2Reliability
If all printing heads are closed with trays, then protection from evaporation is improved, but space requirements and device bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having fixed trays for all printing heads, the invention uses movable containment devices that can be dynamically positioned under specific printing heads only when protection is needed. This eliminates the need for permanent space allocation for all containment devices, reducing overall apparatus volume while maintaining protection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment protection is segmented by printing group, allowing selective positioning of containment devices under individual printing groups rather than requiring simultaneous coverage of all printing heads. This segmentation enables space-efficient design where containment devices are only present in the apparatus volume when actively protecting specific printing heads.
3Loss of substance
If containment devices are positioned under printing heads, then printing liquid collection is improved, but interference with printing group movement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The containment devices are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically follow or reposition relative to the printing groups. This enables the containment devices to collect leaking liquid effectively when positioned under printing heads while being able to clear the path when printing groups need to move, resolving the contradiction between collection effectiveness and movement freedom.
4Device complexity
If printing heads are left exposed during downtime, then apparatus simplicity is maintained, but printing head damage from evaporation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment devices are pre-positioned or可以快速 positioned under printing heads during downtime periods before evaporation can occur. This preliminary protective action extends printing head service life without requiring permanent complex protective structures, as the containment devices can be deployed only when printing heads are inactive and vulnerable.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a support plane to support at least a print support; at least two printing groups aligned along a longitudinal axis, and each provided with at least a printing head; a support structure provided to support said printing groups above said support plane, at least a moving device to move said printing groups towards/away with respect to said support plane, at least two containment devices each associated with respective positioning means, and configured to collect printing liquid form said printing heads.