Ink Removal Suction Control for Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink removal suction operations in ink jet printers often interfere with printing progress, either by delaying the start of printing if performed before printing begins or by requiring the printer to wait for their completion, even when performed in parallel with printing.
Innovation Solution
A control method that allows ink removal suction operations to be suspended when printing ends, resuming them only when the next page is printed, ensuring that the printing process is not delayed by these maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink removal suction operations are performed before printing begins, then the printing head is cleaned and maintained, but the start of printing is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The ink removal suction operation is performed as a preliminary maintenance action before printing begins. The control unit executes the suction operation to remove ink from the cap, then automatically proceeds to start printing without requiring manual intervention or waiting for user confirmation, thus resolving the contradiction by making the maintenance action automatic and preliminary rather than blocking
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing start timing based on the completion status of the ink removal suction operation. The control unit monitors whether the suction operation has completed and automatically determines the optimal moment to start printing, ensuring that maintenance is performed while minimizing impact on printing progress
2Productivity
If ink removal suction operations are performed in parallel with printing, then printing progress is maintained, but the printer must wait for suction completion before ending printing
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically monitors the progress of both printing and ink removal suction operations in parallel. When printing ends, the system checks whether the suction operation has also completed. If the suction operation is still in progress, the control unit automatically ends printing without waiting for suction completion, thus resolving the contradiction by making the printing end timing dynamic and independent of the maintenance operation status
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the coupling between printing end timing and ink removal suction completion. The control unit separates these two events, allowing printing to end independently based on the printing task completion rather than being constrained by the maintenance operation timeline, thus eliminating the waiting period
3Reliability
If ink removal suction operations are performed continuously, then the cap is kept clean, but printing operations are interrupted or delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The ink removal suction operation is performed periodically rather than continuously. The control unit executes the suction operation at specific intervals or under specific conditions (such as before printing starts or when certain criteria are met), rather than running continuously. This periodic execution ensures the cap is maintained while minimizing interference with printing operations, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus comprises: a printing unit configured to print onto a sheet by ejecting ink from a printing head; a maintenance unit configured to perform a maintenance operation capable of being performed in parallel with the printing performed by the printing unit; and a control unit configured to control the maintenance unit such that when the printing by the printing unit and the maintenance operation by the maintenance unit are performed in parallel, and the maintenance operation is not completed by the time the printing by the printing unit has ended, the maintenance operation is ended without being completed.