Roland DG has been granted a patent for an inkjet printer featuring a specialized ink head with a wiper system. This system includes a wiper and a wiper cleaner, both controlled by a controller to optimize the cleaning process of the nozzle surface, enhancing printing efficiency. GlobalData’s report on Roland DG gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Roland DG, Smart factory applications was a key innovation area identified from patents.

Ink jet printer with advanced nozzle cleaning mechanism

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Roland DG Corp

The patent US12011929B2 describes an innovative ink jet printer designed to enhance the efficiency of ink discharge and maintenance. Central to its design is an ink head equipped with multiple nozzles for discharging ink onto a recording medium. The printer features a movable carriage that supports the ink head and a wiper that extends upward to clean the nozzle surface. A wiper mover facilitates the wiper's movement in a sub-scanning direction, while a wiper cleaner is strategically positioned to contact the wiper and remove any ink residue. The controller of the printer is programmed to ensure that the wiper effectively wipes the nozzle surface after making contact with the wiper cleaner, which is designed to absorb more ink than the wiper itself.

Further enhancements include the wiper cleaner's construction, which may feature a continuous foaming structure made from polyolefin resin, and its dimensions, which are larger than those of the wiper. The design also allows for variations in the wiper's velocity depending on its contact with the wiper cleaner, optimizing the cleaning process. Notably, the wiper cleaner can be made from a harder material than the wiper, ensuring durability and effective ink removal. The patent also encompasses configurations for printers that utilize photocurable ink, incorporating a light emitter and a light shield plate to prevent interference during the printing process. Overall, the claims outline a comprehensive approach to improving the functionality and maintenance of ink jet printers, focusing on effective ink management and nozzle cleaning.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Roland DG, buy the report here.

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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.