Droplet Ejection Optics for Curvature Detection in Nozzle Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses cannot accurately detect the ejection curvature of liquid droplets, as they fail to determine whether the flying direction of the droplets is deflected with respect to the optical axis of the light source.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus with a detecting device that rotates and moves to emit light beams at different angles, allowing for the detection of light-receiving amounts to calculate the ejection curvature accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single light source with fixed optical axis is used to detect liquid droplets, then the detection device is simple, but the ejection curvature cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device is made rotatable about a predetermined center of rotation, allowing the optical axis to dynamically change its angle relative to the nozzle array. This enables the system to detect ejection curvature by comparing light-receiving amounts at different angular positions, transforming a static detection system into a dynamic one that can measure directional deviations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds an angular dimension to the detection process by rotating the detection device. Instead of only detecting droplet presence along a single optical axis, the system now measures light-receiving amounts across multiple angular positions, adding a rotational dimension that enables curvature detection in the ejection direction.
2Measurement precision
If the light source irradiates liquid droplets with a single light beam, then the detection process is simple, but the plane coordinates and ejection curvature cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device performs periodic rotation to multiple predetermined angular positions, irradiating the liquid droplets with light beams at different angles in sequence. By comparing light-receiving amounts at each angular position, the system determines plane coordinates and ejection curvature through this periodic scanning action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes multiple angular positions for the detection device and predetermined center of rotation before detection begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to efficiently capture droplet information at multiple angles without complex real-time calculations, reducing overall detection time.
3Measurement precision
If the optical axis is inclined with respect to the nozzle array, then droplet presence can be detected, but deflection in the depth direction cannot be measured
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from light-receiving amount comparisons at different angular positions to determine ejection curvature. By measuring how the light-receiving amount changes as the detection device rotates to different angles, the system infers the depth direction deflection of droplets, creating a feedback mechanism that converts angular measurement data into curvature information.
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
Enables highly accurate detection of the presence or absence of ejection curvature and the volume of liquid droplets by using multiple light beams, improving the precision of droplet direction detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light source and a detecting element, the light source being configured to emit a light beam toward a flying space through which the liquid droplets ejected from the nozzles fly, the detecting element being disposed such that the flying space is interposed between the detecting element and the light source and configured to detect the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a head having a nozzle surface, the nozzle surface having a plurality of nozzles configured to eject liquid droplets; a detecting device having a light source configured to emit a light beam toward a flying space through which the liquid droplets ejected from the nozzles fly, and a detecting element configured to detect the light beam and disposed such that the flying space is interposed between the light source and the detecting element; a rotating device configured to rotate the detecting device about a predetermined center of rotation as a base point such that an emission direction of the light beam changes in a plane parallel to the nozzle surface; a moving device configured to move the detecting device in a predetermined outward route direction and a predetermined homeward route direction; and a controller.