Ink Supply Control for Bubble-Induced Detection Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supply systems for printing apparatuses face issues with bubble contamination in the main tank leading to inaccurate liquid surface detection, resulting in insufficient ink supply to the sub tank, as the detection of bubbles prior to the target ink amount causes premature cessation of ink supply operations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with a control unit that executes a first liquid supply operation until the liquid surface is detected and a second operation based on the liquid supply amount and time, ensuring continued ink supply after detection to account for bubble-induced errors, thereby maintaining an appropriate ink level in the sub tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If ink is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank using a liquid surface detection unit, then the ink supply operation can be automated, but bubbles in the main tank are mixed with ink to enter the sub tank, causing foamed ink and erroneous detection of the ink amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a predetermined number of ink supply operations after the liquid surface detection unit detects the ink level. This ensures that even if bubbles cause erroneous detection, the sub tank receives sufficient ink by continuing supply beyond the detected point, thus compensating for detection errors caused by foam contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the liquid surface detection unit to control the ink supply operation. When the detection unit detects the liquid surface (even if erroneously due to bubbles), the control unit receives this feedback and executes a predetermined number of additional supply operations, adjusting the overall supply based on the detection result while accounting for potential errors.
2Quantity of substance
If a fixed amount of ink is supplied after the liquid surface is detected, then insufficient ink supply can be compensated, but an appropriate amount of ink cannot be supplied when a large number of bubbles contaminate the sub tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the number of additional ink supply operations variable based on the detection result. Instead of always supplying a fixed amount after detection, the system adjusts the supply by executing a predetermined number of operations that can be modified based on bubble contamination levels, thus adapting the supply quantity to maintain reliability under varying conditions.
3Quantity of substance
If the ink supply amount is increased to ensure sufficient supply, then insufficient ink supply is prevented, but the amount of bubbles contaminating the sub tank increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial or excessive action by supplying ink for a predetermined number of operations beyond what the liquid surface detection unit indicates is necessary. This excessive supply ensures that even with bubble contamination causing erroneous detection, the sub tank receives adequate ink, while the predetermined limit prevents excessive over-supply that would proportionally increase bubble contamination.
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 an appropriate amount of liquid is consistently supplied to the sub tank, preventing insufficiencies due to bubble contamination and maintaining a stable ink supply state, enhancing printing operations by adjusting the supply duration time based on ink conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid surface detection unit for detecting a liquid surface of the liquid stored in the sub tank
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus comprises: a liquid supply unit to perform an operation to supply liquid from a main tank to a sub tank; a liquid surface detection unit configured to detect a liquid surface of the liquid stored in the sub tank; and a control unit configured to control the liquid supply unit to execute first liquid supply operation to control the liquid supply unit to supply liquid to the sub tank until the liquid surface is detected by the liquid surface detection unit and a second liquid supply operation to supply liquid to the sub tank after the liquid surface is detected by the liquid surface detection unit. The control unit controls, based on at least one of a liquid supply amount and a liquid supply time in the first liquid supply operation, the time during which the second liquid supply operation is executed.