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Chapter 2
2-26
b) Nozzle structure
Ink supplied from the ink tank is filtered by a mesh ink filter, and the supplied to the nozzles.
Ink is supplied from the shared ink chamber to the nozzles. When the head driving current is applied to the
nozzle heater, ink boils and form bubbles so that ink droplets are discharged from the nozzles.
F-2-14
2.3.2.5 Purge Unit
2.3.2.5.1 Functions of Purge Unit
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To maintain high print quality, the purge unit performs maintenance of the nozzles o the printhead.
The purge unit supports a capping function, cleaning function, and ink supply function.
a) Capping function
The capping function presses the cap of the purge unit against the face plate on the nozzle section of the
printhead to prevent nozzle drying and dust adhesion.
Capping is performed when printing is complete, at the start of the suction operation, and when switching to the
standby state due to an error.
The capping function also establishes the ink passage between the printhead and purge unit.
b) Cleaning function
The cleaning function restores the printhead to the state where ink can be easily discharged from nozzles. This
function includes the following three types of operations.
- Wiping operation
This operation is performed to remove paper fibers and dried ink from to the face plate.
- Pumping operation
This operation is performed to remove ink from the nozzles and fill the nozzles with fresh ink.
- Maintenance jet operation
This operation is performed to spray ink from the nozzles to the cap, borderless ink jet tray, an paper to remove
bubbles in the nozzles and dust and other foreign particles.
c) Ink supply function
The suction pump of the purge unit operates together with the ink supply valve to supply ink to the printhead
during the initial filling and ink level adjustment.
Resin
Sillicon plate
Heater
Shared ink chamber
Heater