UV Recording Wiper Shading Mechanism for Curing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In recording apparatuses using UV curable liquids, the wiper's performance decreases due to liquid curing from ultraviolet light, and turning off the UV irradiator during wiping causes delays in resuming recording operations.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a movable shading member that blocks UV light from reaching the wiper during wiping, allowing the wiper to operate without curing the liquid while the UV irradiator remains on, using a controller to coordinate the movement of the wiper and shading member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UV irradiator is turned off during wiping to prevent liquid curing on the wiper, then the wiper performance is maintained, but the recording operation time is lost due to stabilization delay
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful UV light is extracted from the wiping area by positioning the wiper in an opposed space shaded from the UV irradiator, while the UV irradiator remains operational for recording. This separates the UV irradiation function from the wiping function spatially, allowing the wiper to maintain performance without curing liquid while the UV irradiator continues recording operations without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
A shading member is introduced as an intermediary element between the UV irradiator and the wiper. The shading member creates a shaded opposed space that blocks UV light from reaching the wiper during wiping, preventing liquid curing while allowing the UV irradiator to remain on for continuous recording operations
2Productivity
If the UV irradiator remains on during wiping to maintain recording efficiency, then the operation time is preserved, but the liquid on the wiper is cured causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful UV light is extracted from the wiping area by positioning the wiper in an opposed space shaded from the UV irradiator, while the UV irradiator remains operational for recording. This separates the UV irradiation function from the wiping function spatially, allowing the wiper to maintain performance without curing liquid while the UV irradiator continues recording operations without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
A shading member is introduced as an intermediary element between the UV irradiator and the wiper. The shading member creates a shaded opposed space that blocks UV light from reaching the wiper during wiping, preventing liquid curing while allowing the UV irradiator to remain on for continuous recording operations
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 liquid on the wiper from curing without interrupting UV irradiation, maintaining recording efficiency by allowing continuous operation of the UV irradiator during maintenance tasks.
Implementation Method 1
liquid curable by irradiation of ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 2
shades an opposed space being opposed to the ejection surface from ultraviolet light applied by the UV irradiator
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus comprises a conveyor, a head including an ejection surface, a UV irradiator positioned downstream of the head in a conveyance direction, a wiper, a first shading member, and first and second controllers. The first shading member is movable in a cross direction crossing the ejection surface, and shades an opposed space being opposed to the ejection surface from ultraviolet light applied by the UV irradiator in a state where the first shading member is taking a protruding position. The first controller controls the first shading member to take the protruding position. The second controller controls the wiper to move relatively to the ejection surface while causing the wiper to contact the ejection surface in a state where the wiper is positioned in the opposed space and the first shading member is taking the protruding position, when the wiping is performed.