Cap Mechanism - Epson Stylus Photo Service Manual

Chapter2 Operating Principles

2.1.1.4.2 Cap Mechanism

In the cap mechanism, in order to prevent ink from being viscosity 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 ink which is absorbed from the
head without draining it to the waste ink pad. Also, in the bottom of absorber, there are two valves in
order to control adhesion of head and cap surface, and one exits to drain ink to the waste ink pad.
Figure 2-16. Cap Mechanism Operation Principle
If the carriage is out of HP(in this case, in the printable area or paper feed position), the valves on the
cap mechanism stays in the position A in the figure above and are always closed. In this condition,
the carriage collides with flag, actual ink absorption and slight ink absorption are performed.
Also, by moving the carriage to further right side and colliding the flag for opening the valves with
the frame, negative pressure is released in the state that head surface and cap are adhered. This
makes it possible for ink in the nozzle to be ready for being ejected from the cap in
the stable condition.
2-17
Rev. A