Inkjet Ink Circulation Control Using Heater Duty and Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing technologies struggle to determine an optimal duration for ink circulation based on heater driving conditions and flow rate, leading to potential inefficiencies or insufficiencies in preventing ink thickening at discharge ports.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus with a control unit that determines the duration of ink circulation based on the duty value of the heater and flow rate, allowing for precise control of ink circulation duration and temperature reduction before stopping the circulation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink circulation is continued for a fixed predetermined time period after recording operation ends, then ink thickening can be prevented, but the circulation time cannot be optimized based on heater driving conditions and flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the circulation time adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines the circulation time based on real-time detection of heater driving conditions and ink flow rate, allowing the system to adapt to varying operational states and optimize circulation duration for each specific situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using detection units to monitor heater driving conditions and ink flow rate, then feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback to calculate and adjust the appropriate circulation time, ensuring optimal prevention of ink thickening while minimizing unnecessary circulation time.
2Loss of time
If circulation is stopped immediately after recording operation ends, then time is saved, but ink thickening occurs at the discharge port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining ink circulation for an additional determined time period after the recording operation ends. This preliminary continuation of circulation prevents ink thickening at the discharge port before normal operations resume, ensuring reliable ink discharge performance without requiring excessive circulation time during active recording.
3Reliability
If the circulation time is extended to ensure ink thickening prevention, then ink discharge reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the circulation time parameter based on detected operational conditions. The control unit modifies circulation duration according to heater driving conditions and flow rate, extending circulation only when necessary to prevent ink thickening while reducing circulation time when conditions allow, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining ink discharge reliability.
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 effectively minimizes the time required for ink circulation, preventing ink thickening and ensuring consistent ink discharge by considering heater duty value and flow rate, thereby maintaining print quality.
Implementation Method 1
The heater is interposed in the feedback pipe and is configured to heat ink flowing from the collecting tank to the supply tank
Implementation Method 2
The circulation pump is interposed in the feedback pipe and is configured to deliver ink from the collecting tank to the supply tank via the feedback pipe
Data Source
AI summary
This inkjet printing apparatus includes an ink circulation path in which a circulation pump that circulates ink and a heater that heats circulating ink are interposed. A control unit can sequentially perform a step (a) of, upon receipt of a signal regarding a command for stopping driving the circulation pump, stopping driving the heater, and determining a circulation duration for which the circulation pump is kept operating and ink circulation in the circulation path is continued, on the basis of a duty value of the heater for a predetermined time period before the time of receipt of the signal and a flow rate of ink in the circulation path for the predetermined time period, and a step (b) of stopping driving the circulation pump after the elapse of the circulation duration.