METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INKJET PRINT HEAD CLEANING USING AN INFLATABLE BLADDER

• US 20080018677A1
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Applied Materials Incorporated
• Inventors: White, John, Kurita, Shinichi
• Application Number:
  US11/762,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20080018677A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/5
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16526 by applying pressure only
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16535 using wiping constructions B41J2/16552 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for cleaning a nozzle plate of an inkjet print head are provided. A first method includes positioning a cleaning medium proximate the inkjet print head, determining a pressure for an inflatable bladder to apply against the cleaning medium, contacting the cleaning medium with the bladder with the determined pressure, and moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head. The method also includes purging ink from the inkjet print head prior to the bladder contacting the cleaning medium and pre-jetting ink from the inkjet print head after moving the cleaning medium. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning an inkjet print head comprising:

positioning the inkjet print head proximate an inkjet print head cleaning apparatus;

positioning a cleaning medium of the inkjet print head cleaning apparatus proximate the inkjet print head;

contacting the cleaning medium with an inflatable bladder so as to exert a pressure on the cleaning medium; and

moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

purging ink from the inkjet print head prior to the pressure roller contacting the cleaning medium; and

pre-jetting ink from the inkjet print head after moving the cleaning medium.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein purging ink from the inkjet print head comprises purging ink at a parking station.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein purging ink from the inkjet print head comprises purging ink onto the cleaning medium.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the cleaning medium with an inflatable bladder comprises exerting pressure on the cleaning medium sufficient to wipe a nozzle plate of the inkjet print head but insufficient to cause damage to or misalignment of the inkjet print head.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein moving a cleaning medium comprises:

moving the cleaning medium in proximity of a nozzle plate of an inkjet print head;

contacting the nozzle plate with the cleaning medium; and

moving the cleaning medium away from the nozzle plate.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

rotating a feed roller adapted to dispense the cleaning medium; and

rotating a take up roller adapted to collect used cleaning medium.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining for the cleaning medium at least one of a tension, a speed, a distance traveled, a feed roll size, and a take-up roll size; and

adjusting a cleaning medium speed based on the at least one of the determined tension, speed, distance traveled, feed roll size, and take-up roll size.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein adjusting a cleaning medium speed comprises adjusting at least one of a speed of a feed roller motor and a take up roller motor.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the cleaning medium with the inflatable bladder comprises inflating the bladder to exert sufficient force on the cleaning medium to cause the cleaning medium to contact a nozzle plate of the inkjet print head.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising depositing a cleaning fluid onto the cleaning medium.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising controlling a web tension during cleaning.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein controlling a web tension comprises checking a motor torque and a cleaning medium diameter.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a cleaning station adapted to provide a location to support an inkjet print head during cleaning; and

an inflatable bladder adapted to move a cleaning medium proximate to the cleaning station.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

a pressure regulator coupled to the inflatable bladder and adapted control a gas pressure within the bladder.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a controller coupled to the pressure regulator and adapted to monitor the gas pressure within the bladder and to control the pressure regulator to set the gas pressure.

17. A system comprising:

an inkjet head cleaning module having;

a feed roller adapted to supply a cleaning medium;

a take up roller adapted to receive the cleaning medium from the feed roller;

a tension roller adapted to tension the cleaning medium as it is supplied from the feed roller to the take up roller; and

an inflatable bladder adapted to exert a pressure on the cleaning medium supplied from the feed roller to the take up roller toward an inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a controller adapted to determine for the cleaning medium at least one of a tension, speed, distance traveled, feed roll size, and take up roll size; and

adjust a cleaning medium speed according to the at least one of the determined tension, speed, distance, feed roll size, and take up roll size.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising:

at least one adjustment roller adapted to adjust an approach angle of the cleaning medium with respect to the inkjet print head.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the approach angle is less than about 15 degrees or less.

21. The system of claim 19 further comprising:

at least one idle roller adapted to adjust a departure angle of the cleaning medium with respect to the inkjet print head.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the departure angle is less than about 15 or less degrees.

23. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a sensor adapted to detect a defect in the cleaning medium.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a break in the cleaning medium.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the sensor comprises:

a light emitter adapted to transmit a light beam toward the cleaning medium;

a detector adapted to receive the light beam from the light emitter; and

circuitry adapted to determine whether the transmitted light beam is received by the detector.

26. The system of claim 17 further comprising:

a sensor adapted to detect an amount of cleaning medium spooled on the feed roller.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the sensor comprises:

a light source adapted to transmit a light beam toward the feed roller;

a detector adapted to receive the light beam from the light source; and

circuitry adapted to determine whether the transmitted light beam is received by the detector.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the sensor is a reflected ultrasound sensor.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the sensor is a scale adapted to convert a weight of the cleaning medium on the feed roller to an amount of cleaning medium.

30. The system of claim 17 further comprising a tension sensor adapted to detect a tension of the cleaning medium as the cleaning medium is supplied from the feed roller to the take up roller.