Ink-jet Recording Apparatus Abnormality Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face increased manufacturing costs and size due to the need for separate electric current detecting circuits for each signal output circuit, which are required to monitor abnormalities in actuators and signal output circuits, leading to inefficiencies and potential short circuits.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet recording apparatus with an electric current detecting device that compares current changes between different signal output circuit potentials to judge abnormalities in signal output circuits and actuators, eliminating the need for individual electric current detecting circuits for each electrode, thereby reducing size and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate electric current detecting circuits are provided for each signal output circuit to monitor abnormalities, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate electric current detecting circuits into a single shared circuit that detects current for multiple signal output circuits sequentially. This merging approach maintains the ability to monitor abnormalities in each actuator while significantly reducing the overall number of circuits required, thereby lowering device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electric current detecting circuit is designed to serve multiple functions by detecting current signals from different signal output circuits at different times. This multi-functional design allows the same circuit to monitor abnormalities across all actuators, eliminating the need for dedicated detection circuits for each actuator while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If separate electric current detecting circuits are provided for each signal output circuit, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by time rather than by dedicated hardware for each actuator. The single electric current detecting circuit sequentially detects current signals from different signal output circuits in time slices, allowing precise measurement for each actuator without requiring simultaneous dedicated detection circuits for all actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device stores reference current values for each signal output circuit in advance. During abnormality detection, the control device compares the currently detected current signal against these pre-stored reference values to determine abnormalities. This preliminary storage of reference data enables accurate measurement and comparison without requiring complex real-time processing circuits.
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 allows for effective abnormality judgment without additional circuitry, reducing the ink-jet printer's size and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable operation by detecting current changes to identify issues such as leak currents and capacitance reductions.
Implementation Method 1
an electric field is generated at a portion of the piezoelectric sheet interposed between the above-indicated one individual electrode and the common electrode in a thickness direction of the piezoelectric sheet, so that the piezoelectric sheet at that portion expands or elongates in the thickness direction
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet recording apparatus, including: a flow-passage unit; a plurality of actuators including a plurality of individual electrodes; a plurality of signal output circuits; a power supply device; an electric current detecting device; and a control device including an abnormality judging portion which judges that there exists an abnormality among (a) at least one of the signal output circuits corresponding to at least one test-target individual electrode that is at least a part of the individual electrodes and (b) at least one of the actuators corresponding to the at least one test-target individual electrode, on the basis of a current change amount that is a difference between a first current value and a second current value, the first current value being detected by the detecting device when each of the signal output circuits outputs a first signal for giving a first potential and the second current value being detected by the detecting device when each of the at least one of the signal output circuits outputs a second signal for giving a second potential while each of the rest of the signal output circuits which excludes the at least one of the signal output circuits output the first signal.