Wiper Dynamics for Nozzle Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet type recording apparatuses face issues with unwiped spots on the nozzle surface leading to staining of the ejection target medium due to residual ink, as existing wiping methods either leave spots or require a wiper that is too large, causing incomplete cleaning and increased apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a wiper that performs multiple relative movements with different speeds, contact pressures, and wiping patterns to ensure comprehensive cleaning of the nozzle surface, including a first relative movement for nozzles and a second for non-nozzle areas, preventing unwiped spots and reducing printing interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a wiper is formed to have such a size as to entirely cover the nozzle surface, then the nozzle surface can be completely covered, but the apparatus increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper is designed to perform multiple relative movements with different speeds and patterns rather than remaining stationary. The scanning mechanism enables the wiper to dynamically cover different portions of the nozzle surface through coordinated movements, achieving complete coverage with a smaller wiper area.
2Area of stationary object
If one movement of the wiper relative to the nozzle surface does not wipe the entire nozzle surface, then the apparatus size can be reduced, but unwiped spots accumulate fuzz or ink leading to staining of the ejection target medium
Solution Approach 1:
The wiping process is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different relative movements. Each movement covers specific portions of the nozzle surface with optimized parameters (speed, pressure, pattern). The combination of multiple segmented wiping actions ensures complete coverage without requiring a single large-wiper movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper performs periodic relative movements with different speeds and patterns. The scanning mechanism controls the wiper to execute multiple cycles of movement, ensuring that all portions of the nozzle surface are repeatedly wiped. This periodic action prevents accumulation of fuzz and ink that would cause staining.
3Productivity
If the wiper moves at high speed to reduce printing interruption time, then productivity is improved, but the wiping effectiveness on adhered ink with increased viscosity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper speed is dynamically adjusted during different phases of the wiping process. High speeds are used for initial removal of loose ink to maintain productivity, while lower speeds are employed for thorough cleaning of adhered ink with increased viscosity. The scanning mechanism coordinates these speed variations across multiple relative movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiping process uses periodic action with varying speeds. Fast wiping cycles remove the majority of ink quickly, followed by slower wiping cycles that thoroughly clean residual adhered ink. This periodic variation in speed ensures both high productivity and reliable wiping effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that has a nozzle surface that is provided with nozzles for ejecting a liquid, a wiper for wiping the nozzle surface, a scanning mechanism configured to cause the nozzle surface and the wiper to perform a plurality of relative movements between the nozzle surface and the wiper, and a controller configured to control the scanning mechanism. The plurality of relative movements includes a first relative movement and a second relative movement that is different in the wiping from the first relative movement.