Inkjet Printer Air Bubble Estimation and Suction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses face issues with air bubbles penetrating into ink supply lines due to gas permeability, leading to faulty ink ejection and negative effects, as existing methods cannot optimally manage air bubble penetration volumes and timings for suction discharge operations.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus equipped with an estimator to calculate air bubble penetration volumes based on multiple factors and a suction discharge unit that performs negative pressure on the ejection port only when the cumulative volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, minimizing the number of suction discharge operations and ink volume discharged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air bubbles are discharged by suction discharge operation, then air bubble penetration is eliminated, but ink discharge volume increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter from fixed-time intervals to dynamic volume-based thresholds. The control unit calculates cumulative air bubble penetration volume based on elapsed time and penetration rate, and only triggers suction discharge when the cumulative volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, optimizing the balance between air bubble elimination and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control by continuously monitoring elapsed time since last suction discharge, calculating current air bubble penetration volume based on penetration rate, accumulating total penetration volume, and using this feedback to dynamically determine whether to perform suction discharge operations
2Reliability
If suction discharge operation is performed frequently, then air bubble penetration is eliminated, but ink discharge volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter from fixed-time intervals to dynamic volume-based thresholds. The control unit calculates cumulative air bubble penetration volume based on elapsed time and penetration rate, and only triggers suction discharge when the cumulative volume exceeds a predetermined threshold, optimizing the balance between air bubble elimination and ink conservation
3Ease of operation
If fixed-time suction discharge is used, then air bubbles are discharged, but timings cannot be optimally set for varying penetration volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the system to self-adjust suction discharge timing based on actual air bubble penetration conditions. The control unit automatically calculates cumulative penetration volume using elapsed time and penetration rate, and autonomously determines optimal suction discharge moments without requiring manual timing adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from static fixed-time intervals to dynamic volume-based thresholds. The control unit continuously updates the cumulative air bubble penetration volume calculation based on current elapsed time and penetration rate, allowing the suction discharge timing to dynamically adapt to varying air bubble penetration conditions
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 approach effectively reduces the frequency and ink volume associated with air bubble suction discharge, preventing faulty ink ejections and ensuring high-quality printing by accurately managing air bubble penetration and discharge.
Implementation Method 1
a suction discharge unit configured to suction out and discharge an air bubble inside the print head and inside the ink supply line by causing negative pressure to be exerted on the ejection port from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and a method of controlling an inkjet printing apparatus whereby the performing of a suction discharge operation, for air bubbles that have penetrated inside an ink supply line, can be suppressed to a minimum necessary number of times, and whereby the ink discharge volume that accompanies air bubble suction discharge operations can be kept low. The volume of an air bubble that penetrates into an ink supply line is estimated on the basis of an elapsed time since the last air bubble suction discharge operation, and in addition, the volume of an air bubble that penetrates into the ink supply line during main tank installation is predicted. The suction discharge operation (choke suction operation) for suctioning out and discharging air bubbles is conducted when the sum of these estimated volumes becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.