Wiper Groove Reduces Ink Spattering in Liquid Jetting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid jetting apparatuses face issues with spattering of ink due to the repulsion force generated when a wiper is recovered from a flexed state, leading to ink being splattered across the apparatus body, especially when the wiper is not completely recovered before separation from the liquid jetting surface.
Innovation Solution
A liquid jetting apparatus with a wiper that is stopped at a groove on the downstream side of the wipe direction, where the groove has a contact surface that reduces the bending amount of the wiper, allowing it to be partially recovered and reducing elastic energy, thus minimizing the repulsion force when separating from the liquid jetting surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the wiper is separated from the liquid jetting surface at a slow speed to prevent spattering, then ink spattering is reduced, but the time required for separation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is formed in advance at a specific position downstream of the nozzle, and the wiper is guided into this groove after wiping. The groove structure is pre-designed to control the wiper's recovery process, allowing the wiper to be partially recovered in a controlled manner without requiring slow separation, thus preventing ink spattering while maintaining efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary structure between the wiper and the liquid jetting surface. It provides a controlled environment for the wiper's recovery process, allowing the wiper to be partially recovered while being supported by the groove's contact surface, thereby preventing direct contact between the recovering wiper and the liquid jetting surface that would cause ink spattering
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wiper is completely recovered from flexed state before separation, then structural stability is improved, but repulsion force increases causing ink spattering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the wiper to be completely recovered before separation, the groove is designed to support the wiper at a position where only partial recovery occurs. The groove's contact surface is positioned to provide support when the wiper is bent by a specific amount (less than the full flexion amount), thereby preventing complete recovery and the associated repulsion force that would cause ink spattering
Solution Approach 2:
The groove changes the physical parameters of the wiper's recovery process by providing a contact surface at a specific position. This alters the bending amount and recovery progression of the wiper, controlling it to reach only a partial recovery state rather than complete recovery, thereby managing the repulsion force to prevent ink spattering
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 solution effectively diminishes ink spattering by reducing the repulsion force as the wiper is not completely recovered, allowing for faster separation without the need for slow detachment, maintaining the apparatus's efficiency and reducing ink splatter within the device.
Implementation Method 1
at least an end portion, of the wiper, which makes contact with the liquid jetting surface is elastic
Implementation Method 2
the wiper is not completely recovered to an original state when the end portion of the wiper is in contact with the contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a liquid jetting head which has a liquid jetting surface being formed with a nozzle to jet a liquid to a recording medium; a wiper which makes contact with the liquid jetting surface to bend and wipes away the liquid adhered to the liquid jetting surface; a movement mechanism which moves the wiper relative to the liquid jetting surface in a wipe direction along the liquid jetting surface; a movement controller which stops the wiper, which has wiped away the liquid adhered to the liquid jetting surface by moving relative to the liquid jetting surface in the wipe direction, at a predetermined stop position; and a separating mechanism which separates the wiper stopped by the movement controller from the liquid jetting surface in a separating direction intersecting the liquid jetting surface.