Wiping Device Web Length Control for Liquid Discharge Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiping devices for liquid discharge heads face inefficiencies when using a common web to wipe multiple heads that discharge different liquids, leading to increased web usage and potential liquid mixing, which can cause nozzle clogging and reduce wiping performance.
Innovation Solution
A wiping device with a web that adjusts its winding length based on the combination of previously and next wiped heads, using multiple pressing bodies to prevent liquid mixing and optimize web usage, where the pressing bodies are moved between contact and separated positions to avoid adherence and ensure efficient wiping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common web is used to wipe multiple heads discharging different liquids, then device complexity is reduced, but web usage increases and liquid mixing occurs causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wiping operation into segments by introducing multiple pressing bodies (first pressing body and second pressing body) that correspond to different heads. Each pressing body wipes a specific head, and the web is wound by specific lengths between wiping operations. This segmentation prevents liquid mixing while maintaining a common web structure, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and web consumption.
2Device complexity
If a common web is used to wipe multiple heads discharging different liquids, then device complexity is reduced, but liquid mixing occurs causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by winding the web by a first specific length after wiping the first head and before wiping the second head. This preliminary web advancement creates a physical barrier that prevents liquid from the first head from mixing with liquid from the second head, thereby preventing nozzle clogging while using a common web structure.
3Ease of operation
If the web is wound by a fixed length between wiping operations, then control is simplified, but web usage increases and wiping performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by adjusting the web winding length based on the wiping sequence. When the first head is wiped, the web is wound by a first specific length; when the second head is wiped, the web is wound by a second specific length. This dynamic adjustment optimizes web usage and maintains high wiping performance while keeping control logic relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A wiping device includes a web windable for a winding length; a memory; circuitry configured to: cause the web to wipe in a wiping direction: a first head to discharge a first type of liquid; and a second head to discharge a second type of liquid different from the first type of liquid; and cause the memory to store information about one of the first head or the second head that has been previously wiped with the web; and change the winding length of the web based on a combination of: the information about the one of the first head or the second head stored in the memory; and information about another of the first head or the second head to be wiped after the one of the first head or the second head.