Selective Ink Jet Purging via Wiper Blade Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet systems face inefficiencies in printhead maintenance, as current purging methods require ink to flow through all jets, wasting ink and reducing the effectiveness of recovering blocked jets, as they lack the ability to selectively target and recover only the contaminated jets.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying a selective pressure to prevent ink from entering or drooling from non-contaminated apertures, using a wiper blade to selectively purge and recover only the contaminated jets by controlling which apertures are wiped or actuated, thereby optimizing ink usage and recovery efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ink is purged through all ink jets in the printhead, then blocked jets may be recovered, but ink is wasted through non-contaminated jets and the efficiency of jet recovery is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejet recovery effectivenessVSAvoidink waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the aperture plate into multiple selectively addressable regions or individual apertures, allowing the purging process to be segmented and applied only to contaminated jets rather than forcing ink through all jets uniformly. This segmentation enables targeted recovery while preventing waste through functional jets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different treatments to different apertures based on their contamination status. Contaminated apertures receive purging treatment while non-contaminated apertures are protected from ink flow. This local differentiation optimizes ink usage by directing purging effort only where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a wiper blade is used to clear contaminants from the aperture plate, then blocked jets are recovered, but ink may enter and drool from non-target apertures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejet recoveryVSAvoidink drooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective barrier or intermediary mechanism (such as a selectively positioned wiper blade with controlled contact, or a protective coating on the aperture plate) that enables the wiping action to remove contaminants from targeted apertures while preventing ink from entering or drooling from non-target apertures during the purging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If pressure is applied to purge ink through the printhead, then contaminants are cleared from jets, but ink is forced through all apertures including non-contaminated ones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removalVSAvoidink flow inefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control mechanisms such as selectively actuated valves, movable wiper blades, or variable pressure zones that can dynamically adjust which apertures receive purging pressure. This dynamic approach ensures pressure is applied only to contaminated jets at the appropriate time, preventing forced ink flow through non-contaminated apertures and optimizing energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach enhances the efficiency of jet recovery by ensuring that more ink is used for recovering contaminated jets, reducing waste and improving print quality by targeting specific issues within the printhead.

Implementation Method 1

using surface energy and wetting characteristics of the aperture plate of a printhead as a valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface energy and wetting characteristics: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

A first pressure is applied to ink in the printhead in response to the detection of the at least one contaminated ink jet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure control: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS9545794B2Selective purging of ink jets to limit purge mass

Publication Date: 2017.01.17 XEROX CORP

AI summary

A method of performing maintenance on a printhead of an imaging device includes the detection of at least one contaminated ink jet in a printhead. A first pressure is applied to ink in the printhead in response to the detection of the at least one contaminated ink jet. The first pressure is configured to prevent ink from entering a plurality of apertures in an aperture plate of the printhead and to prevent ink from drooling from the plurality of apertures unless the apertures are wiped by a wiper blade. A first portion of apertures in the plurality of apertures in the aperture plate is wiped with a wiper blade while leaving a second portion of the apertures untouched by the wiper blade while the first pressure is applied to the ink in the printhead. The wiping of the first portion of apertures enables ink to drool from the first portion of apertures. The first portion of apertures includes the at least one detected contaminated ink jet.