Ink-jet Head Jam Removal Sensor Feedback Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses often suffer from damage due to jammed recording media remaining between the ink-jet head and the conveyor mechanism, as users may not always perform complete jam-clearing processing, and the apparatus lacks a mechanism to prevent the conveyor mechanism from moving towards the ink-jet head during removal.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet recording apparatus with a relative movement mechanism, detecting device, output device, and sensor system that moves the conveyor mechanism and ink-jet head to specific positions to allow user-driven jam removal while preventing contact between the ink-jet head and any remaining jammed media, using a control system to manage these movements based on user input and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the conveyor mechanism is moved away from the ink-jet head when a jam occurs, then user access for jam removal is improved, but the risk of damage to the ink-jet head increases when the conveyor mechanism returns to the recording position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sensor that provides feedback to the control unit about the presence of recording medium between the ink-jet head and conveyor mechanism. When the sensor detects medium presence, the control unit prevents the conveyor mechanism from moving to the recording position, thereby avoiding head damage while allowing user access for jam removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of recording medium presence using a sensor before the conveyor mechanism returns to the recording position. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare preventive measures by controlling the conveyor mechanism based on sensor feedback, preventing potential head damage before it occurs.
2Reliability
If the conveyor mechanism remains at the medium removal position, then the ink-jet head is protected from damage, but the productivity of the recording apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic checking of the recording medium presence sensor status during the conveyor mechanism's return movement. The control unit periodically determines whether to proceed with positioning based on sensor feedback, allowing the system to quickly resume normal recording operations once the path is clear, thus minimizing productivity loss while maintaining head protection.
3Reliability
If a sensor system and control mechanism are added to prevent head damage, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sensor to serve multiple functions: detecting recording medium presence during jam removal operations and detecting medium presence during normal recording operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable head protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a conveyor, a recording controller, and a flashing controller. The conveyor conveys a recording medium along a conveyance path. The recording controller causes the conveyor to convey a recording medium, and controls liquid ejection from the liquid ejection head to form an image on the recording medium based on image data. The flashing controller causes the conveyor to temporarily stop conveyance of the recording medium, and causes liquid ejection from the liquid ejection head based on drive data which is unrelated to image formation. The flashing controller determines timing for executing a subsequent flashing control so that, within a print enforceable period between one flashing control and the subsequent flashing control, the number of pages subjected to image formation based on image data increases with a decrease in time interval between image formation on one page and on another page.