Inkjet Head Leakage Current Inspection via Reverse Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in effectively inspecting nozzle ejection without causing leakage currents, which can lead to inaccurate signal output and potential ink deposition issues due to the spacing between the capping member and nozzle plate.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a controller that applies an inspection voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head, detects leakage currents, and applies a reverse voltage to discharge accumulated electric charge, allowing for closer nozzle positioning during inspection while preventing excessive leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the capping member is positioned close to the nozzle plate during inspection, then inspection accuracy is improved, but leakage current increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of leakage current before completing the inspection process. When leakage current is detected at a level that would compromise inspection accuracy, the system preemptively terminates the inspection and initiates cleaning, preventing inaccurate results rather than dealing with them afterward
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system continuously monitors leakage current levels during the inspection process and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust operations. When leakage exceeds a threshold, the system automatically stops inspection and triggers cleaning, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal inspection conditions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the capping member is spaced from the nozzle plate, then leakage current is reduced, but inspection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inspection process based on real-time leakage current measurements. Rather than maintaining a fixed distance, the system optimizes the balance between proximity (for accuracy) and spacing (for reducing leakage) by continuously monitoring conditions and adjusting the inspection termination point accordingly
3Productivity
If inspection is continued despite leakage current, then productivity is maintained, but signal output accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of signal output accuracy issues through leakage current monitoring. By detecting leakage before it significantly degrades signal accuracy, the system can terminate inspection early and initiate cleaning, preventing wasted inspection cycles that would produce unreliable results
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from leakage current sensors to monitor inspection quality. When leakage reaches levels that would compromise signal output accuracy, the feedback loop triggers automatic termination and cleaning, ensuring that only high-quality inspection data is collected while minimizing rework
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
Enables reliable ejection inspection with reduced risk of leakage currents, ensuring accurate signal output and minimizing ink deposition issues, thus improving the reliability of the inkjet recording process.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage applying circuit configured to apply a voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head... control the voltage applying circuit to apply an inspection voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head... detect whether a leakage current greater than a predetermined value flows between the electrode and the liquid ejection head
Implementation Method 2
control the voltage applying circuit to apply a reverse voltage opposite in polarity to the inspection voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head... The electric charge accumulated in the inkjet head can be thus discharged therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid ejection apparatus, a controller of the liquid ejection apparatus is configured to, in response to receiving a recording instruction to instruct the liquid ejection apparatus to perform image recording on a recording medium, perform ejection inspection to determine whether liquid is ejected from each nozzle of a liquid ejection head toward an electrode based on a signal outputted from a signal output circuit. For the ejection inspection, the controller is configured to control a voltage applying circuit to apply an inspection voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head. In response to detecting that a leakage current greater than a predetermined value flows between the electrode and the liquid ejection head, the controller is configured to cancel the ejection inspection and control a voltage applying circuit to apply a reverse voltage opposite in polarity to the inspection voltage between the electrode and the liquid ejection head.