Printing Head Integrated Cleaning for Wiper and Cap Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness of ink discharge heads due to ink accumulation on wipers and caps, leading to clogging and requiring frequent maintenance operations that are not optimally structured for ease of access and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning member integrated with the printing head moves in a relative direction to overlap and clean the wiper and cap, facilitating access and improving maintenance operability by pulling out the cleaning member beyond the conveyance path when the head is exposed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning member is provided to clean the wiper and cap, then the cleaning function is improved, but the maintenance operability deteriorates due to complex structure and arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is integrated with the printing head assembly, merging the cleaning function into the existing structure. The cleaning member is positioned such that it automatically cleans the wiper and cap when the printing head is installed, eliminating the need for separate maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning member is designed to automatically clean the wiper and cap during normal operation or through simple activation, making the system self-maintaining. The cleaning action occurs without requiring operator intervention to access and service the cleaning components themselves.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning member is integrated with the printing head, then the maintenance accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning member is combined with the printing head assembly, utilizing the existing mounting structure and space. This integration leverages the current design framework rather than adding entirely separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing head assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the discharge ports for printing, supports the cleaning member for maintenance, and positions the wiper and cap components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural elements.
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
The solution enhances the cleaning efficiency of wipers and caps, preventing clogging and improving maintenance accessibility by integrating the cleaning member with the printing head's movement, allowing for easier access and operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wiper for wiping off the ink adhering to the discharge port and a cap for covering the discharge port
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning member for cleaning at least one of an upper end of the wiper and an upper end of the cap
Data Source
AI summary
This invention aims to propose a structure excellent in the maintenance operability of a cleaning member in a printing apparatus provided with the cleaning member for cleaning at least one of a wiper and a cap. In a printing apparatus according to the invention, a cleaning member for cleaning a wiper or a cap of a maintenance part is integrated with a printing head in a relative movement between the printing head and the maintenance part and arranged to at least partially overlap a movement path of the object to be cleaned with respect to the printing head and moves to outside the conveyance path integrally with the printing head when the printing head is moved from the inside position to the outside position.