Fluid Ejection Apparatus Targeted Purge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid ejection apparatuses face issues with air accumulation in the ink supply passage, leading to degraded ejection characteristics and excessive fluid consumption due to the lack of effective purging mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection apparatus with a controller that determines the amount of fluid to be purged by subtracting the amount of fluid consumed from the total capacity of the supply passage, allowing for targeted air purging to maintain ejection quality while minimizing fluid waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If purging is executed based on calculated air volume to maintain ejection characteristics, then ejection quality is improved, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by executing purging only when necessary conditions are met (air volume exceeds threshold, printer idle state) rather than continuously. The controller calculates air volume based on elapsed time and refill history, and only triggers purging when the calculated air volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, thus avoiding excessive fluid discharge while maintaining ejection quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring printer operation states, calculating air volume accumulation in real-time based on elapsed time since refill, and adjusting purging execution accordingly. The controller receives information about printer idle periods and uses this feedback to determine when air volume reaches critical levels requiring purging, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes fluid usage.
2Reliability
If purging is executed frequently to remove air from supply passage, then ejection characteristics are maintained, but productivity decreases due to fluid waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by triggering purging only when calculated air volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, rather than executing purging at fixed intervals or continuously. This selective approach ensures ejection characteristics are maintained when air accumulation becomes problematic while avoiding unnecessary purging operations that would waste fluid and reduce printing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of air volume based on elapsed time and operation history before executing purging. The controller proactively determines when air volume will reach problematic levels and schedules purging accordingly, preventing ejection issues before they occur while optimizing the timing to minimize productivity impact.
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 effectively purges air from the supply passage, maintaining ejection characteristics while reducing excessive fluid consumption, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a driver configured to apply energy to fluid in the fluid supply passage and eject fluid from the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a purge unit configured to purge fluid from the nozzles and execute first purging... to discharge air together with ink from the ink supply passage
Data Source
AI summary
In a fluid ejection apparatus, fluid flows from a tank, through a fluid inlet, to a fluid supply passage which extends to nozzles. A driver is configured to apply energy to fluid in the fluid supply passage to eject fluid from the nozzles. A purge unit is configured to purge fluid from the nozzles to execute first purging. A controller is configured to receive, from a user input unit, a refill completion signal indicating that the tank is refilled with fluid, obtain an amount of fluid consumed since receipt of the refill completion signal by counting an amount of fluid discharged from the nozzles, and determine an amount of fluid to be purged by the first purging by subtracting the amount of fluid consumed from a total capacity of the fluid supply passage.