Inkjet Recording Head Micro-Vibration Flushing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording heads face issues with ink thickening in nozzles due to prolonged inactivity, leading to reduced ejection amounts and clogging, which are exacerbated by micro-vibration driving that disperses thickened components within the pressure chamber, necessitating increased flushing liquid consumption to restore ejection characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the ejection amount of the flushing operation based on the number of micro-vibration driving cycles, allowing for reduced liquid consumption while effectively discharging thickened components by varying the ejection amount according to the extent of micro-vibration driving and ejection driving within a predetermined period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If micro-vibration driving is performed to maintain ink viscosity, then the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle is kept at appropriate viscosity, but the thickened component diffuses inside the pressure chamber requiring increased flushing liquid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the ejection amount in the flushing operation based on the number of micro-vibration driving cycles. The control unit adjusts the flushing liquid ejection amount dynamically according to the extent of micro-vibration driving performed during the driving period, thereby optimizing liquid consumption while maintaining effective flushing.
2Reliability
If flushing operation is performed periodically to eject thickened component, then the nozzle is cleared of clogged material, but the ejection amount of liquid increases consuming more liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the flushing operation adaptive rather than fixed. The ejection amount in the flushing operation is dynamically adjusted based on the number of micro-vibration driving cycles performed during the driving period. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize liquid consumption while maintaining effective nozzle clearing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If micro-vibration driving is performed to prevent ink thickening, then the ink is agitated effectively, but the thickened component disperses widely inside the pressure chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by having the control unit count the number of micro-vibration driving cycles and use this information to determine the appropriate ejection amount for the flushing operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust the flushing parameters based on the actual micro-vibration driving activity, simplifying the overall control complexity.
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 reduces the consumption of liquid during flushing operations while maintaining the desired effect of preventing clogging and maintaining ink viscosity, thereby improving the ejection characteristics of the recording head.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure generating element changing the pressure inside the pressure chamber and which ejects the liquid from the nozzle according to the change of pressure inside the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
a pressure generating element changing the pressure inside the pressure chamber and which ejects the liquid from the nozzle according to the change of pressure inside the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A recording head that includes a pressure chamber filled with ink and a piezoelectric element changing pressure inside the pressure chamber, and that ejects ink from the nozzle according to the change in the pressure inside the pressure chamber. A control unit controls the piezoelectric element and performs ejection driving for ejecting the ink from the nozzle or micro-vibration driving for micro-vibrating a liquid surface inside the nozzle to an extent at which the ink is not ejected from the nozzle; and performs a flushing operation of an ejection amount according to a number of times of micro-vibration driving in a driving period, in a preparation period after the driving period has passed.