Inkjet Nozzle Cleaning via Dynamic Pump Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face challenges in minimizing ink discharge during the cleaning process, which can lead to increased ink loss and potential clogging issues due to the destruction of the meniscus inside the nozzles during maintenance operations.
Innovation Solution
A print device configuration that includes a cap, supply and waste liquid flow paths, a pump, and a processor to control the injection of a cleaning liquid into the cap, using a slower rotation speed to soak the nozzle face while minimizing ink discharge, thereby reducing the amount of ink expelled and preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump operates at a high rotation speed to quickly inject cleaning liquid into the cap, then the cleaning efficiency is improved, but the ink discharge from the nozzle into the cap increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase: high speed during initial ink purging, then reduced to a slower speed during cleaning liquid injection. This dynamic speed adjustment allows the system to achieve both efficient ink removal and controlled cleaning liquid injection that minimizes additional ink discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance operation is divided into distinct periodic phases: first purging ink from the nozzle at high pump speed, then injecting cleaning liquid at a slower pump speed. This periodic action with varying parameters allows optimization of each phase independently, achieving effective cleaning while minimizing ink loss.
2Loss of time
If the cleaning liquid is injected at a fast speed, then the maintenance time is reduced, but the ink discharge increases and may cause clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The pump speed is dynamically controlled to match the requirements of each maintenance phase. During cleaning liquid injection, a slower speed is used to prevent ink discharge and clogging, while the overall maintenance time is kept efficient through optimized process sequencing and appropriate speed selection for each phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump rotation speed parameter is changed between different maintenance phases. By reducing the pump speed during cleaning liquid injection compared to the ink purging phase, the system prevents ink discharge and clogging while still achieving effective cleaning within an acceptable time frame.
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
The solution effectively cleans the nozzle face while minimizing ink loss and preventing clogging by using a slower rotation speed for the cleaning liquid injection, ensuring efficient maintenance operations and maintaining printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
operating the pump at a second rotation speed to cause the cleaning liquid to soak the nozzle face
Implementation Method 2
by operating a suction device, sucks ink from a nozzle that is provided in the nozzle face
Implementation Method 3
the cleaning liquid also destroys a meniscus inside the nozzle. When the meniscus is destroyed, ink is discharged from the nozzle into the cap
Data Source
AI summary
A print device includes a processor and a memory. The memory storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by the processor, perform processes. The processes include covering processing controlling a cap into a covering state in which the cap covers a nozzle. The processes include first purge processing purging, in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and a supply valve is closed, an ink from the nozzle by operating a pump at a first rotation speed. The processes include injection processing injecting, after the first purge processing and in a state in which the cap is in the covering state and the supply valve is open, the cleaning liquid into the interior of the cap by operating the pump at a second rotation speed to cause the cleaning liquid to soak a nozzle face.