Printhead Cap Rinsing Control Based on Ink Discharge Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses face issues with inconsistent ink suction from nozzles due to varying negative pressure, leading to inadequate or excessive cleaning liquid usage, resulting in ink solidification or overconsumption during cap cleaning operations.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a controlling unit that adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid supplied to the cap based on the amount of ink discharged from the printhead, using a mechanism to optimize cleaning liquid usage and prevent ink solidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cap cleaning operation is performed with a fixed amount of cleaning liquid, then the cleaning process is simple to control, but ink solidification occurs in the waste-liquid flow path when the amount of cleaning liquid is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the amount of ink discharged from the printhead to the cap and adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid supplied accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that sufficient cleaning liquid is provided to prevent ink solidification while avoiding overconsumption, resolving the contradiction between cleaning reliability and control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of cleaning liquid amount based on the detected ink discharge amount. By adjusting this parameter in response to actual printing conditions, the system prevents ink solidification without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the amount of cleaning liquid is increased to prevent ink solidification, then cleaning reliability improves, but cleaning liquid is overconsumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts the cleaning liquid amount parameter dynamically based on the actual ink discharge amount. This ensures that cleaning liquid is supplied in sufficient quantities to prevent ink solidification while avoiding excessive consumption, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
By using feedback from ink discharge detection to control cleaning liquid supply, the system optimizes the balance between preventing ink solidification and minimizing cleaning liquid consumption, eliminating the need for excessive cleaning liquid while ensuring adequate cleaning effectiveness.
3Loss of substance
If the amount of cleaning liquid is decreased to reduce overconsumption, then cleaning liquid loss is reduced, but ink solidification occurs in the waste-liquid flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from ink discharge detection to determine the appropriate amount of cleaning liquid to supply. This feedback mechanism prevents both overconsumption and insufficient cleaning by adjusting the cleaning liquid amount to match the actual ink discharge, resolving the contradiction between substance loss and cleaning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the cleaning liquid amount parameter based on detected ink discharge conditions. This parameter change ensures that cleaning liquid is supplied in optimal quantities to prevent ink solidification while minimizing overall consumption, resolving the contradiction between substance loss and cleaning effectiveness.
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 solution effectively manages cleaning liquid consumption, preventing ink solidification and overuse by adapting to the amount of ink discharged, ensuring efficient cap cleaning operations.
Implementation Method 1
a supplying mechanism configured to supply the cap with a cleaning liquid for rinsing out the liquid inside the cap
Implementation Method 2
at least one processor or circuit that executes a program and performs operations of the following units: a controlling unit configured to control an amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap by the supplying mechanism in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged from the printhead to the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a cap configured to cap a printhead that ejects a liquid, a supplying mechanism configured to supply the cap with a cleaning liquid for rinsing out the liquid inside the cap, and a controlling unit configured to control an amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap by the supplying mechanism in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged from the printhead to the cap.