Camera-Based Wiping Observation for Inkjet Printhead Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink-jet printer maintenance methods, such as wiping processes, do not provide detailed insights into the ink situation during the wiping process, making it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
An observing apparatus and method that includes a camera to capture images of the wiping process from start to finish, allowing for detailed observation of the ink situation, using a wiper to move relative to a surface with the ink and a camera positioned to record the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiping process is performed to remove ink from the head surface, then ink removal effectiveness is improved, but detailed information about the ink situation during wiping is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by using a camera to capture images of the wiping process. Instead of directly observing the ink removal in real-time, the system creates visual copies (images) of the wiping process from the beginning to the end, allowing detailed analysis of the ink situation during wiping without interfering with the actual wiping operation.
2Loss of information
If real-time observation of the wiping process is implemented, then detailed ink situation information is obtained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to create visual copies of the wiping process, which is a relatively simple approach compared to complex real-time observation systems. The camera captures images that can be reviewed afterward, providing detailed information about the ink situation without requiring complex real-time analysis hardware.
3Loss of information
If wiping process is observed from beginning to end, then complete information about ink removal is obtained, but observation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the entire wiping process as a series of images from the beginning to the end. This allows complete information about the ink removal to be obtained by reviewing the captured images, which can be done efficiently without requiring continuous real-time observation for extended periods.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an observing apparatus including: a first member having a first surface; a wiper configured to move relative to the first member and wipe up a liquid adhered to the first surface; and a camera configured to pick up an image of a process of wiping up the liquid adhered to the first surface with the wiper from a beginning of the wiping up of the liquid to an end of the wiping up of the liquid.