Inkjet Nozzle Flushing Control via Integrated Printing Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in preventing nozzle clogging due to ink drying, as conventional flushing methods may not adequately address the varying usage status and environmental conditions of ink ejection ports, leading to either excessive or insufficient ink ejection.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a control unit that adjusts the ink ejection amount during flushing based on the integrated printing rate, temperature, and type of ink, using a conveyor belt with strategically positioned opening portions to optimize ink flow and reduce clogging, while maintaining productivity across different paper sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flushing methods are used with fixed ink ejection amounts, then the flushing process is simple to implement, but nozzle clogging cannot be effectively prevented due to varying usage status and environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ink ejection amount during flushing variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the ink ejection amount based on the integrated printing rate calculated from actual printing conditions and environmental factors, allowing the flushing process to adapt to varying usage status and prevent nozzle clogging effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by calculating the integrated printing rate based on actual printing conditions and using this information to control the ink ejection amount during flushing. The system continuously monitors printing usage and environmental conditions, then adjusts flushing parameters accordingly to optimize nozzle maintenance
2Reliability
If ink ejection amount during flushing is increased to prevent clogging, then nozzle reliability improves, but ink wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the ink ejection amount parameter during flushing based on the integrated printing rate. Instead of using a fixed high ejection amount, the system calculates the appropriate ink volume needed based on actual printing conditions, environmental temperature, and humidity, thereby preventing nozzle clogging while minimizing unnecessary ink consumption
3Reliability
If flushing is performed frequently to prevent nozzle clogging, then nozzle reliability improves, but printing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by performing flushing operations at strategically determined intervals based on the integrated printing rate rather than continuously or at fixed time intervals. The control unit calculates when flushing is actually needed based on printing usage patterns and environmental conditions, performing flushing only when necessary to prevent clogging while maintaining high printing productivity during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus that reduces excessive or insufficient flushing of each of the nozzles by appropriately controlling the ink ejection amount in the next flushing for each nozzle based on the actual ink ejection state of each of the nozzles of a recording head during image formation. A control unit causes the recording head to execute flushing for ejecting the ink at a timing different from a timing that contributes to image formation on the recording medium. A conveyor belt has opening portions for allowing ink ejected from each of the nozzles of the recording head during flushing to pass. The control unit controls the ink ejection amount for each of the nozzles during the next flushing based on an integrated printing rate for each of the nozzles after the recording head has performed the previous flushing.