Liquid Ejecting Head Thermal Stabilization for Ink Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining ink temperature during non-steady states, leading to variations in ejection properties due to the distance of temperature sensors from the nozzle, which affects the viscosity correction of the drive signal.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a temperature setting unit that moves the liquid ejecting head to a position for pre-heating before ejection, using a support member and heaters to ensure the ink reaches a steady temperature, allowing for accurate temperature measurement and improved ejection quality by correcting the drive signal based on actual viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature detection is performed using a temperature sensor, then temperature information can be obtained, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the ink is in a non-steady state due to the distance between the sensor and the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid ejecting head is moved to a temperature setting position before actual ejection begins, allowing the ink to reach thermal equilibrium in advance. This preliminary temperature stabilization ensures that when ejection starts, the ink is already in a steady thermal state, making subsequent temperature measurements accurate and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the liquid ejecting head, and the controller uses this feedback information to determine when the ink has reached a steady state. The controller waits until the detected temperature stabilizes before initiating ejection, ensuring accurate temperature measurement and reliable ejection conditions.
2Productivity
If the liquid ejecting head is moved frequently to different positions, then ejection can begin sooner, but the time required for temperature stabilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs temperature stabilization in advance by moving the liquid ejecting head to the temperature setting position before ejection begins. This preliminary action allows the ink to reach steady state temperature without delaying the actual ejection process, as the stabilization occurs concurrently with system initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ejecting head is dynamically positioned between a printing position and a temperature setting position based on operational requirements. The controller flexibly adjusts the head position to balance between rapid ejection initiation and adequate temperature stabilization, optimizing both productivity and thermal equilibrium.
3Device complexity
If the temperature sensor is placed farther from the nozzle, then the device structure is simplified, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to increased temperature difference variations
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the liquid ejecting head to the temperature setting position before ejection, the system ensures that the ink reaches thermal equilibrium in advance. This preliminary stabilization means that even though the temperature sensor is positioned at a distance from the nozzle, the temperature measurement becomes accurate because the ink is already in a steady thermal state.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor provides feedback on the liquid ejecting head temperature, and the controller uses this information to determine when thermal equilibrium is reached. This feedback mechanism allows accurate temperature measurement even with the sensor positioned at a distance, as the controller waits for the temperature to stabilize before initiating ejection.
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 ensures the ink reaches a steady temperature state quickly, allowing for precise temperature measurement and improved ejection quality by aligning the drive signal with the actual ink viscosity, enhancing the ejection properties and reducing variations.
Implementation Method 1
heat radiated from the temperature setting unit is transferred to the liquid ejecting head
Implementation Method 2
heat radiated from the temperature setting unit is transferred to the liquid ejecting head
Implementation Method 3
detection temperature of a temperature sensor
Implementation Method 4
liquid ejecting head which ejects liquid droplets
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head that ejects an ink from a nozzle opening; a moving unit that moves the head; and a heating unit that sets a temperature of a recording sheet onto which the ink is ejected from the head. Before the head ejects the ink onto the recording sheet, the moving unit is moved, and the head is moved to a position opposing a platen and an upper heater, which is a position to where heat radiated from the heating unit is transferred.