Chapter2 Operating Principles
Rev. A 2-1
7

2.1.1.4.2 Cap Mechanism

In the cap mechanism, in order to prev ent ink from being thickened on the head surface, it is controlled
that the head surface stays adherent to the rubber frame of the cap surface when the power is off.
The absorber is spread in the cap and can hold a certain amount of i nk which is absorbed from the
head without draining it to the waste ink pad. Also, in t he bottom of absorber, there are t wo v alv es i n order
to control adhesion of head and cap surface, and one exit t o drain ink to the waste ink pad.
If the carriage is out of HP(in thi s case, in the printable area or paper feed position), t he v alves on the
cap mechanism stays in the position A in the f i gure above and are always closed. In this condition,
the carriage collides with flag, actual ink absorption and slight ink absorption are perform ed.
Also, by moving the carriage to f urther right side and colliding the flag for opening the valves with
the frame, negative pressure is released in t he stat e that head surface and cap are adhered. This
makes it possible for ink on the nozzle plat e surf ace to be ready for leaving fr om the cap in the stable
condition.
AB
Flag for Carriage
Ink Eject Valve
Negative pressure
release valve
Valve
Close state Release state
Flag for frame
Head surface and
cap are adhered
each other.
Actual and false
absorptions.
Ink absorption in
the cap.
During cleaning, initial ink
charge, and right flushing.etc.
During left flushing and paper
feeding,etc.
Figure 2-16.Cap Mechanism Operation Principle