Adaptive Flashing Control for Liquid Ejection Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses recover ejection performance based on fixed criteria such as the number of copies or printing intervals, leading to unnecessary liquid and power wastage, as they do not account for varying time intervals between image formations, which can result in premature or delayed recovery of ejection performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus that adjusts the recovery of ejection performance based on the time interval between image formations, using a coefficient derived from environmental conditions and printing intervals to determine the optimal timing for flashing operations, thereby minimizing wastage and ensuring suitable handling of ejection performance deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ejection performance recovery is executed based on fixed number of copies or printing intervals, then ejection performance can be maintained, but liquid and power are wasted due to unnecessary flashing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flashing operation timing adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts when to execute flashing operations based on real-time detection of liquid viscosity changes and actual printing conditions (time intervals between pages), transforming the static recovery schedule into a dynamic response system that matches actual ejection performance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a detection unit to monitor liquid viscosity changes in the liquid ejection head and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts flashing operation timing based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that prevents unnecessary operations while maintaining ejection performance when actually needed.
2Reliability
If ejection performance recovery is executed based on fixed printing intervals, then ejection performance can be maintained, but liquid is wasted due to unnecessary flashing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flashing operation timing dynamic by baseing it on actual viscosity changes detected in real-time rather than fixed intervals. This allows the system to adapt to varying printing conditions (such as different time intervals between pages) and execute flashing operations only when viscosity changes actually occur, preventing liquid waste from unnecessary operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit provides feedback on liquid viscosity changes to the control unit, which then adjusts flashing operation timing accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that flashing operations are executed only when actually needed to maintain ejection performance, preventing liquid waste that would result from fixed-schedule flashing operations.
3Reliability
If pre-ejection with larger ejection amount is performed, then ejection performance recovery is effective, but more liquid is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by executing flashing operations only when viscosity changes are actually detected, rather than performing continuous or frequent pre-ejections. The control unit judiciously applies the recovery action (flashing) only to the extent necessary based on actual ejection performance degradation, avoiding excessive liquid consumption while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit's feedback on viscosity changes enables the control unit to determine when flashing operations are actually needed. This feedback-driven approach ensures that pre-ejection with larger ejection amount is performed only when necessary to recover ejection performance, minimizing liquid consumption while maintaining recovery effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient recovery of ejection performance, reducing unnecessary flashing operations and conserving resources by aligning flashing operations with the actual need based on the printing interval and environmental conditions, thus maintaining optimal image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity of a liquid in the liquid ejection head increases
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a conveyor, a recording controller, and a flashing controller. The conveyor conveys a recording medium along a conveyance path. The recording controller causes the conveyor to convey a recording medium, and performs control to cause liquid ejection from the liquid ejection head so that an image is formed on the recording medium based on image data. The flashing controller causes the conveyor to temporarily stop conveyance of the recording medium, and causes liquid ejection from the liquid ejection head based on drive data which is not related to image formation. The flashing controller determines timing for executing a subsequent flashing control so that, within a print enforceable period between one flashing control and the subsequent flashing control, the number of pages subjected to image formation based on image data increases with a decrease in a time interval between image formation on one page and that on another page.