Inkjet Head Temperature Matching via Fine Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent ink temperatures across both discharging and non-discharging nozzles, particularly due to ambient temperature variations, which affect discharge properties and printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with temperature sensors for both the ink and ambient environment, a controller that adjusts the fine-oscillation voltage based on temperature differences to match ink temperatures across all nozzles, and a method to control the energy level of fine oscillation by setting a coefficient using pre-evaluated data, ensuring optimal ink temperature matching and preventing erroneous discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a fine-oscillation signal is applied to non-discharging nozzles to heat the ink, then the ink temperature of non-discharging nozzles increases, but the ink temperature cannot be consistently matched to discharging nozzles under varying ambient temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where temperature sensors detect the actual ink temperatures in both discharging and non-discharging nozzles, and the controller adjusts the fine-oscillation signal parameters based on the detected temperature difference. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that the ink temperatures are consistently matched regardless of ambient temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the parameters of the fine-oscillation signal (amplitude, frequency, duty cycle) based on the detected temperature difference between discharging and non-discharging nozzles. By adjusting these parameters in response to temperature measurements, the system optimizes heating efficiency and maintains consistent ink temperatures across all nozzles under varying operating conditions.
2Temperature
If the fine-oscillation signal amplitude is increased to heat the ink more effectively, then the ink temperature rises, but erroneous ink discharge may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the fine-oscillation signal characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duty cycle) based on real-time temperature feedback. Rather than using a fixed high-amplitude signal that could cause erroneous discharge, the system adaptively modulates the signal parameters to provide optimal heating while maintaining discharge accuracy. This dynamic control allows effective heating without exceeding the threshold for unwanted ink ejection.
3Ease of operation
If a fixed fine-oscillation signal is used regardless of ambient temperature, then the system is simple to operate, but the ink temperature cannot be optimized for different operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-adjusting system where the controller automatically detects ambient temperature and ink temperature, calculates the appropriate fine-oscillation signal parameters using pre-stored evaluation data, and applies the optimized signal without user intervention. This self-service approach maintains operational simplicity while achieving optimal temperature control across varying ambient conditions through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation and stores optimal fine-oscillation signal parameters for various ambient temperature and ink temperature conditions before actual operation. During printing, the controller simply retrieves and applies the pre-determined parameters based on current temperature measurements, combining the simplicity of fixed-parameter operation with the adaptability of optimized control for different conditions.
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 solution ensures high-quality and high-resolution printing by maintaining consistent ink temperatures across all nozzles, suppressing variations in discharge properties and preventing reductions in printing speed.
Implementation Method 1
An ink-jet type recording head (also referred to as a recording head, hereinafter) in which ink droplets are discharged through a plurality of nozzle openings by using pressure owing to displacement of a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a fine-oscillation signal is applied to the pressure generation unit corresponding to non-discharging nozzles such that meniscuses are finely oscillated without discharging the ink, and thus heat is generated
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including a first temperature sensor for detecting ink temperature and a second temperature sensor for detecting ambient temperature of a liquid ejecting head, in which a controller for controlling discharge of the ink generates a driving signal including a discharge voltage which is used for, based on a temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, discharging ink droplets through nozzle openings and a fine-oscillation voltage which is used for finely oscillating meniscuses of the ink without discharging the ink droplets and corresponds to the discharge voltage. Furthermore, the controller sets a coefficient in accordance with a temperature difference between the ink temperature and the ambient temperature and controls an energy level of the fine oscillation by applying the fine-oscillation voltage, based on the coefficient. In addition, the controller causes the discharge voltage to be applied to a pressure generation unit corresponding to the nozzle openings through which the ink droplets are discharged and causes the fine-oscillation voltage to be applied to a pressure generation unit corresponding to the nozzle openings through which the ink droplets are not discharged.