Droplet Ejection Liquid Channel Abnormality Detection by Volume Change
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing droplet ejection apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting liquid channel abnormalities, such as clogging, which can lead to reduced liquid flow rates and apparatus malfunction, particularly when the pump rate is high and the liquid level detection methods are inaccurate due to liquid level shaking and time lags.
Innovation Solution
A droplet ejection apparatus with multiple tanks, a droplet ejection head, a pump, and a liquid channel, equipped with a measurer to detect abnormalities based on changes in liquid amount in the downstream tank during predetermined liquid delivery times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If liquid level height is used to detect abnormality, then detection method is simple, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to liquid level shaking and time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from liquid level height to liquid amount. This parameter change eliminates the problems of liquid level shaking and time lag, as liquid amount can be measured continuously and accurately without being affected by level fluctuations or detection timing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical liquid level detection system with a measurement system that directly quantifies liquid amount. This substitution eliminates the inherent limitations of level-based detection while maintaining measurement simplicity
2Productivity
If pump flow rate is increased to improve productivity, then liquid delivery speed increases, but abnormality detection accuracy deteriorates due to increased time lag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of liquid amount in the tank, providing real-time feedback on the relationship between pump operation and liquid consumption. This feedback mechanism allows accurate abnormality detection regardless of pump flow rate, as the system can detect deviations from expected liquid amount changes at any delivery speed
Data Source
AI summary
A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a plurality of tanks that store a liquid; a droplet ejection head that ejects droplets; a pump that sends out the liquid stored in an upstream tank on an upstream side in a liquid delivery direction to a downstream tank on a downstream side in the liquid delivery direction; a liquid channel that communicates the upstream tank and the downstream tank; a measurer that measures a value related to a liquid amount of the liquid in the downstream tank; and a hardware processor. The hardware processor determines whether there is an abnormality in the liquid channel. The hardware processor determines whether there is an abnormality in the liquid channel based on a change in a value related to the liquid amount in the downstream tank when the pump sends out the liquid for a predetermined liquid delivery time.