Inkjet Head Residual Vibration Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in detecting discharge abnormalities, such as bubbles in the discharge head, due to timing issues when checking the discharge state after a long period of inactivity, leading to missed detection of faults before they dissipate.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge apparatus with a discharge section driven by a piezoelectric element and a detecting section that monitors the discharge state within a specific time frame after the element is stopped or after discharging, utilizing residual vibration to detect abnormalities before they become undetectable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If checking is performed after a long period of inactivity, then the system can maintain operational readiness, but discharge abnormalities such as bubbles cannot be detected before they dissipate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge state detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection timing window

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting section performs discharge state detection within a specific period of time after the piezoelectric element is stopped, capturing abnormality information before it dissipates. This preliminary detection action ensures that bubbles or other discharge abnormalities are identified while still present in the discharge head, resolving the contradiction between maintaining operational readiness and detecting abnormalities before they disappear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If checking is delayed to allow system stabilization, then false detections are reduced, but abnormalities dissipate before detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge abnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidabnormality persistence time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs detection within a specific time window after stopping the piezoelectric element, capturing abnormality information before it dissipates. This timing strategy achieves both measurement precision by allowing sufficient stabilization and catches abnormalities while they are still detectable, resolving the contradiction between reducing false detections and maintaining abnormality persistence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If continuous monitoring is implemented, then discharge abnormalities are detected promptly, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection timelinessVSAvoiddetection energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting section performs discharge state detection periodically within a specific period of time after the piezoelectric element is stopped, rather than continuously. This periodic detection approach maintains fault detection timeliness by checking at critical moments while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 precise detection of discharge section faults before they dissipate, ensuring timely identification and maintenance, improving the reliability of ink jet printers by starting detection within 30 seconds after the piezoelectric element is stopped or the discharge is completed.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge section configured to discharge a liquid which is filled into a cavity from a nozzle linked with cavity, due to the capacity of the cavity changing according to vibrating of a vibration plate which is vibrated by a piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The detecting section is configured to detect the state of the discharge section within a specific period of time after driving of the piezoelectric element is stopped

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9259918B2Liquid discharge apparatus and liquid discharge state detecting method

Publication Date: 2016.02.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet printer is provided with discharge heads configured to discharge ink which is filled into a cavity from a nozzle which is linked with a cavity due to the capacity of the cavity changing according to vibrating of a vibration plate which is vibrated by a piezoelectric element, a head driver configured to drive the piezoelectric element, and a detecting section configured to detect the state of the discharge heads. The detecting section is configured to detect the state of the discharge heads within a specific period of time after driving of the piezoelectric element is stopped.