Head Unit Maintenance via Waveform Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face issues with image quality deterioration due to liquid thickening in pressure chambers, and conventional flushing processing methods result in liquid misting and scattering from nozzles, leading to operational troubles.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance method for a head unit in a liquid discharge apparatus, involving a configuration with multiple nozzle arrays and pressure chambers, where specific driving signals with varying waveforms are applied to individual driving elements to control the ejection of liquid from nozzles, reducing mist formation and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If maximum amount of liquid is discharged from all nozzles in flushing processing, then liquid thickening in pressure chambers is suppressed, but liquid becomes mist and scatters causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle group into multiple individual nozzles and applies different driving signals to different nozzles. Specifically, some nozzles are driven with a first driving signal while others are driven with a second driving signal, allowing selective control of liquid discharge from each nozzle to prevent mist formation while still clearing liquid thickening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different driving conditions to different nozzles based on their local requirements. By varying the driving signal waveform and discharge amount for each nozzle, the system optimizes liquid ejection for each specific nozzle position, preventing misting in some nozzles while effectively clearing liquid thickening in others.
2Manufacturing precision
If flushing processing is performed to maintain image quality, then liquid thickening is prevented, but operational troubles occur due to liquid scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flushing operation into individual nozzle operations with different driving signals. This allows the system to perform maintenance flushing on specific nozzles that require it while leaving other nozzles in a stable state, thereby maintaining image quality without causing operational troubles from widespread liquid scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by not discharging maximum liquid from all nozzles simultaneously. Instead, it selectively applies flushing to specific nozzles with controlled discharge amounts, achieving sufficient maintenance effect while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive liquid discharge that causes scattering and operational issues.
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
The method effectively suppresses mist formation and scattering during flushing processing, thereby maintaining image quality and preventing operational issues in the liquid discharge apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
driving a piezoelectric element PZ provided in the discharge section D with a driving signal Com, the liquid corresponding to the ink amount φ1 is discharged from the nozzle N
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a maintenance method of a head unit including a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array, the method including: in a first period, supplying a first driving signal having a first waveform to one first driving element corresponding to one first nozzle belonging to the first nozzle array to eject the liquid from one first nozzle; and supplying a second driving signal having a second waveform to one second driving element corresponding to one second nozzle belonging to the second nozzle array to eject the liquid from one second nozzle; and in a second period, supplying a third driving signal having a third waveform to the one first driving element to eject the liquid from the one first nozzle; and supplying a fourth driving signal having a fourth waveform to the one second driving element to eject the liquid from the one second nozzle.