Ink-jet Printer Dynamic Flushing for First Print Out Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face challenges in reducing First Print Out Time (FPOT) while maintaining image recording quality, as the amount of ink discharged during the flushing process can be insufficient or excessive, affecting the quality and efficiency of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The printer employs a conveyor and carriage system that adjusts the amount and frequency of ink discharge based on the determined ink requirement, discharging ink while moving the carriage to ensure complete ink release and maintain image quality, and adjusts carriage speed and ink distribution based on the ink amount to optimize the flushing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the amount of ink discharged in the flushing process is increased, then image recording quality is improved, but the time required for the flushing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the carriage movable during the flushing process. Instead of stopping the carriage to discharge ink, the system moves the carriage along the sheet facing area while discharging ink, enabling simultaneous ink discharge and carriage movement. This dynamic approach reduces flushing time while maintaining adequate ink discharge amount for image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by performing ink discharge continuously during carriage movement rather than in separate stopped phases. The flushing process occurs continuously as the carriage travels through the sheet facing area, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the process.
2Loss of time
If the carriage moves quickly through the sheet facing area, then FPOT is reduced, but the amount of ink discharged becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the relationship between carriage speed and ink discharge amount. The system dynamically controls ink discharge parameters based on carriage movement, ensuring that sufficient ink is discharged even when the carriage moves quickly through the sheet facing area, thereby reducing FPOT while maintaining adequate ink discharge.
3Quantity of substance
If the flushing process is performed with the carriage stopped, then complete ink discharge is achieved, but FPOT increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the carriage dynamic rather than static during flushing. The carriage moves continuously through the sheet facing area while ink is discharged, eliminating the need to stop the carriage. This dynamic flushing approach maintains ink discharge effectiveness while significantly reducing the time required, thereby lowering FPOT.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous useful action by performing ink discharge during carriage movement without interruption. The flushing process occurs continuously as the carriage travels through the sheet facing area, eliminating idle stopping time while maintaining adequate ink discharge completeness through continuous ink ejection throughout the movement period.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet printer includes a conveyor, a carriage, a recording head, an ink receiver, a command receiver, and a controller. The controller executes: determining an ink amount that the recording head should discharge to the ink receiver; executing a flushing process that moves the carriage to an area facing the ink receiver and causes each of a plurality of nozzles to discharge ink of the determined ink amount; and based on the flushing process having finished, executing a recording process. The controller, based on the determined ink amount being less than a first threshold value, causes the recording head to discharge ink of the determined ink amount in α times of the flushing processes, and based on the determined ink amount being the first threshold value or more, causes the recording head to discharge ink of the determined ink amount dispersed in β (β>α) times of the flushing processes.