Ink Jet Carriage Control Using Acceleration Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately detecting the position and velocity of the carriage, especially when encountering stains or sheet jams, which can lead to detection failures and affect the quality of the recorded image.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution includes a recording apparatus equipped with a carriage that has a recording head for ejecting ink, a drive unit for moving the carriage, an encoder for detecting position or velocity, an acceleration sensor for detecting carriage acceleration, and a control unit that stops the carriage based on the information from both the encoder and the acceleration sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an encoder is used to detect carriage position and velocity, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when stains or sheet jams cause detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the detection parameter from encoder signals alone to a combination of encoder signals and acceleration sensor data. When the encoder detection becomes unreliable (stains or sheet jams), the control unit switches to using acceleration sensor data to calculate carriage velocity and position, maintaining detection reliability under abnormal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration sensor acts as an intermediary detection device that provides alternative measurement data when the primary encoder detection fails. The control unit processes both encoder and acceleration sensor data, using the acceleration sensor as a backup and cross-validation mechanism to maintain reliable carriage state detection.
2Device complexity
If only an encoder is used for carriage detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates under abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system enhances the detection capability by adding acceleration sensor parameter measurement. The control unit calculates carriage velocity by integrating acceleration data and position by integrating velocity data, providing accurate measurement under abnormal conditions where encoder alone would fail.
3Productivity
If the carriage continues operation without stopping upon detection failure, then productivity is maintained, but image quality deteriorates due to undetected positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors both encoder and acceleration sensor data, providing feedback on carriage position and velocity. When detection abnormalities are detected (inconsistent data between sensors or超出 expected ranges), the system stops the carriage to prevent image recording errors, ensuring manufacturing precision while maintaining productivity through immediate stopping and resumption capability.
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 configuration enables the apparatus to accurately control the carriage movement even in cases of encoder detection failures due to stains or sheet jams, thereby ensuring the quality and integrity of the recorded image.
Implementation Method 1
an acceleration sensor arranged on the carriage and configured to detect second information regarding acceleration of the carriage
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a carriage equipped with a recording head that ejects ink to a sheet, a drive unit configured to move the carriage in a width direction of the sheet, an encoder configured to detect first information regarding a position or a velocity of the carriage that moves by the drive unit, an acceleration sensor arranged on the carriage and configured to detect second information regarding acceleration of the carriage, and a control unit configured to stop the carriage, based on the first information and the second information.