Humid Air Supply Control for Liquid Ejection Nozzle Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink mist and unintentional ink leaks accumulate in the moisture-retention head cap of liquid ejection apparatuses, leading to premature drying of ink in nozzles, which can result in inadequate humidification of ejection openings, especially when the cap is sealed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a sealing mechanism and a humid-air supply mechanism that increases the amount of humid air supplied to the ejection space when the sealing mechanism transitions from an unsealing to a sealing state, based on the duration of the unsealing state before capping, to maintain appropriate humidity levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sealing mechanism seals the ejection space to retain moisture, then moisture retention is improved, but ink mist and unintentional ink leaks accumulate in the cap causing premature drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the humid-air supply amount variable rather than fixed. The control mechanism adjusts the humid-air supply amount based on the sealing duration, increasing supply when sealed longer to compensate for ink accumulation. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between sealing for moisture retention and preventing ink drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of humid-air supply amount based on sealing time. By monitoring how long the cap has been sealed and adjusting the humidification intensity accordingly, the system adapts to the accumulating ink conditions, maintaining proper humidity levels even as ink accumulates in the sealed space.
2Device complexity
If the humid-air supply mechanism supplies fixed amount of humid air, then simple control is maintained, but inadequate humidification occurs when ink accumulates in the cap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the control mechanism monitors the sealing duration and uses this information to adjust the humid-air supply amount. This feedback loop ensures that humidification adequacy is maintained by automatically increasing supply when ink accumulation occurs during extended sealing periods, without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed humid-air supply to dynamic variable supply based on operational conditions. The control mechanism adjusts supply levels in response to sealing time, creating a dynamic system that maintains reliability while adding only moderate complexity through automated timing-based control.
3Productivity
If the cap remains in unsealing state for extended periods, then ink ejection performance is maintained, but ink dries out in the nozzles when subsequently sealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by increasing humid-air supply before ink drying problems occur. When the control mechanism detects extended unsealing periods followed by sealing, it proactively increases humidification to prevent drying, addressing the issue before it affects ink ejection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides beforehand cushioning by preparing increased humid-air supply in anticipation of potential ink drying risks. After extended unsealing periods, the control mechanism preemptively enhances humidification during the subsequent sealing state, cushioning against the risk of ink drying and maintaining reliable ejection performance.
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 solution ensures effective humidification of ejection openings even when ink is accumulated in the cap, preventing premature drying and maintaining optimal ink viscosity and ejection characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a humid-air supply mechanism configured to supply a humid air into the ejection space when the sealing mechanism is in the sealing state
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head having ejection openings and configured to eject liquid through the ejection openings; a sealing mechanism configured to selectively establish a sealing state in which the sealing mechanism seals an ejection space in which the ejection openings are open, from an outside and an unsealing state in which the sealing mechanism does not seal the ejection space from the outside; and a humid-air supply mechanism configured to supply a humid air into the ejection space when the sealing mechanism is in the sealing state; wherein a controller is configured to control the humid-air supply mechanism such that an amount of the humid air to be supplied into the ejection space from the humid-air supply mechanism when the sealing mechanism is in the sealing state increases with a longer length of time of the unsealing state just before the current sealing state.