Inkjet Printing Apparatus Ejection Recovery Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses face reduced printing speed due to the time required for ejection recovery processes, which extend from the end of printing one medium to the start of printing the next, necessitating a method to efficiently perform ejection recovery without compromising printing speed.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus with a recovery system that allows for multiple recovery modes, controlled feeding conditions, and designated recovery operations to minimize ink consumption and optimize ejection recovery during the transition between printing media, enabling efficient feeding and reduced ink wastage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ejection recovery process is performed to maintain ink ejection function, then ejection reliability is improved, but printing speed deteriorates due to extended processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs ejection recovery operations in advance during the period between end of printing for one medium and start of printing for next medium. By conducting the recovery action beforehand (preliminarily), the system ensures ejection function reliability is maintained before it deteriorates, while utilizing otherwise idle time that would not affect printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously maintains ejection function by performing recovery operations during transition periods between printing jobs. This continuous maintenance approach prevents ejection malfunction from occurring in the first place, eliminating the need for interruptive recovery operations that would slow down printing speed.
2Reliability
If ink is continuously supplied to liquid paths to prevent clogging, then ejection reliability is improved, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the ink ejection mechanism itself to perform recovery by ejecting ink during transition periods. This self-service approach utilizes the existing ejection function to clear viscous ink from liquid paths, maintaining reliability without requiring additional ink supply mechanisms or increasing overall ink consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the ejection parameters (timing, frequency, volume) to perform recovery operations during transition periods when printing is not occurring. By adjusting these parameters, the system maintains ejection reliability through controlled ink ejection that does not significantly increase overall ink consumption compared to continuous supply.
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 allows for efficient feeding and reduced ink consumption, preventing increased running costs and maintaining high throughput by optimizing the ejection recovery process during the transition between printing media.
Implementation Method 1
electrothermal conversion devices such as heaters
Implementation Method 2
electromechanical conversion devices, such as piezoelectric devices
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus and method can efficiently feed printing media stored in a media storage unit, while at the same time minimizing the reduction in a printing speed during the ejection recovery operation. The ejection recovery operation is performed during a period extending from the end of printing for a preceding printing medium which is fed first by a feeding unit, to start of printing for a succeeding printing medium. The recovery operation is controlled at this time in accordance with a feeding condition under which the feeding operation performed by the feeding unit is determined.