Ink Droplet Detection Using Synchronized Multi-Line Beam Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink droplet detection systems face challenges in efficiently detecting non-jetting nozzles in multiple nozzle lines, leading to increased costs and prolonged detection times due to complex circuitry and the need for multiple CPUs, especially when dealing with large numbers of nozzles.
Innovation Solution
An ink droplet detection apparatus that uses a beam radiator and corresponding beam receivers to cross the path of ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines, with synchronized jet start signals to ensure simultaneous ejection and detection, and a control system to identify non-jetting nozzles by determining if droplets intercept the light path within a fixed time, simplifying the jet control circuit and reducing detection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple light paths are provided for detecting multiple nozzle lines, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple CPUs and complex jetting control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzle lines are detected by merging them into a single detection plane. The beam radiator and beam receiver are configured to detect ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines simultaneously using one light path, eliminating the need for multiple independent detection systems and CPUs.
Solution Approach 2:
A single beam radiator and beam receiver system performs the function of detecting ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines. The jet control circuit is designed to universally control multiple nozzle lines using the same control signals, making the system multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated systems for each nozzle line.
2Measurement precision
If multiple CPUs are used for jetting control and non-jetting detection in multiple nozzle lines, then detection accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection functions of multiple CPUs are merged into a single CPU. The single CPU controls the jet control circuit to eject ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines and processes detection signals from the beam receiver for all nozzle lines, achieving the same detection accuracy without the cost of multiple CPUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The single CPU performs self-service by handling both the jetting control and non-jetting detection tasks for multiple nozzle lines. The CPU sends jet start signals to the jet control circuit and simultaneously processes the detection signals from the beam receiver, eliminating the need for separate dedicated processing units.
3Measurement precision
If detectors are arranged in lines for each nozzle line, then detection capability is improved, but detection time increases and circuit scale expands
Solution Approach 1:
The detection capability is merged into a single detection system. The beam radiator and beam receiver are positioned to detect ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines simultaneously in parallel, rather than sequentially detecting each nozzle line. This reduces detection time while maintaining the capability to detect all nozzle lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system operates continuously for all nozzle lines simultaneously. The beam radiator continuously emits light and the beam receiver continuously detects ink droplets from multiple nozzle lines in parallel, eliminating the need for sequential detection and reducing total detection time.
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 enables parallel detection of ink droplets across multiple nozzle lines at a lower cost, significantly reducing the time required to detect non-jetting nozzles and simplifying the circuit configuration for jet control, while maintaining detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a droplet ejected from the nozzle by determining whether the ink droplet ejected from each nozzle intercepts the light path
Data Source
AI summary
An ink droplet detection apparatus containing: a plurality of nozzle lines each containing multiple nozzles which eject ink droplets; a beam radiator for radiating a detection beam so as to cross a path of the ink droplets and forming a light path of the detection beam so as to be along two or more the nozzle lines being detected; two or more beam receivers corresponding to the nozzle lines being detected for receiving the beam radiated from the beam radiator and detecting a droplet ejected from the nozzle by determining whether the ink droplet ejected from each nozzle intercepts the light path or not; an ejecting control circuit for controlling the nozzles so as that the ink droplets are ejected from each nozzle; and a controller for controlling the ejecting control circuit by sending the ejecting control circuit the same ejecting start signals for each nozzle lines being detected so as that the ejecting timing of the ink droplets to be ejected from each nozzle of the plurality of the nozzle lines being detected is synchronized.