Recording Head Mounting Member for Water-Repellent Ink Guidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink accumulation on the side surfaces of recording heads in inkjet image forming apparatuses leads to image failure and internal contamination due to ink protrusion and accumulation during wiping operations, which can be exacerbated by the presence of gaps between head covers and recording heads.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a head mounting member with higher water repellency than the recording head's side surface, featuring recess and protrusion portions at its lower end, to repel and guide ink away from the side surfaces, preventing accumulation and dropping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a head cover is provided to cover the side surface of the recording head, then ink repulsion is improved, but ink may get into the gap between the head cover and recording head causing accumulation and dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The head mounting member is divided into multiple protrusions and recessions along the wiping direction, creating multiple ink collection points distributed along the side surface rather than a single continuous gap, preventing ink accumulation in any one location
Solution Approach 2:
The head mounting member acts as an intermediary structure between the recording head and the external environment, providing a controlled interface that manages ink flow through its protrusions and recessions rather than allowing uncontrolled ink entry into gaps
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the head mounting member has high water repellency, then ink repulsion is improved, but ink may still enter gaps and accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The head mounting member has different surface properties at different locations: the main body has high water repellency to repel ink, while the recessions provide localized ink collection areas, creating a dual-function surface that both repels and captures ink
Solution Approach 2:
The recessions create curved surfaces that utilize surface tension to contain ink within the recessed areas, preventing ink from spreading along the side surface and entering gaps
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
Prevents ink adherence and accumulation on the side surfaces of recording heads, reducing image failures and internal contamination by facilitating ink repulsion and controlled dropping, thus maintaining apparatus cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the head mounting member has water repellency higher than the side surface of the recording head
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a wiper and a head mounting member. The recording head is provided with a nozzle area where a number of ink ejection ports are opened downward. The wiper is configured to move in a wiping direction while coming into contact with the nozzle area to wipe the nozzle area. The head mounting member is provided on a side surface of the recording head in the wiping direction. The surface of the head mounting member has water repellency higher than the side surface of the recording head. A recess portion and a protrusion are alternatively provided in a lower end portion of the head mounting member.