Inkjet Nozzle Defect Detection During Carriage Direction Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers face inefficiencies in determining defective nozzles due to limitations in processing capability, leading to decreased printing quality as undetected defective nozzles cause missing dots, as the determination process can only be performed for a part of the nozzles in one carriage movement.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device and method that utilize a specific waveform drive signal applied during deceleration and acceleration periods of carriage movements to determine defective nozzles, allowing for comprehensive nozzle evaluation across multiple nozzles by alternating first and second directional movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the determination process is performed for all nozzles in one carriage movement, then the printing quality is improved, but the processing capability limit causes the determination to take too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing defective nozzle determination during deceleration and acceleration periods before the actual printing process begins. The control section executes determination for all nozzles during these idle periods, so that when printing starts, all nozzle statuses are already known and can be immediately used for quality compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the determination process into specific time periods (deceleration and acceleration periods) within the carriage movement cycle. Instead of attempting continuous determination during printing, the system periodically performs determination during designated idle periods, allowing all nozzles to be checked without interrupting the printing workflow.
2Productivity
If the determination is performed only during acceleration or deceleration period, then the processing time is reduced, but only a part of the nozzles can be determined in one movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the determination opportunities by combining both the deceleration period and acceleration period into a single determination window. By utilizing both idle periods in one carriage movement cycle, the system can perform determination for all nozzles rather than only a portion, thereby improving both efficiency and complete nozzle coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by making the determination process continuous throughout both deceleration and acceleration periods. This continuous utilization of idle time ensures that the determination capability is fully exploited during the entire carriage movement cycle, maximizing the number of nozzles that can be determined without extending total processing time.
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
Enhances the efficiency of defective nozzle detection, enabling quicker recognition and compensation for defective nozzles, thereby improving print quality by increasing the number of nozzles subjected to determination per movement.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection head that is configured to eject liquid filling a pressure chamber from a nozzle by causing a pressure fluctuation in the pressure chamber by driving a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
determining whether or not a nozzle is a defective nozzle based on vibration generated by applying, to the piezoelectric element, a drive signal having a specific waveform
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head having a plurality of nozzles, a carriage on which the liquid ejection head is mounted, the carriage alternately executing a first movement, which is a movement in a first direction, and a second movement, which is a movement in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a control section configured to control the liquid ejection head and the carriage, wherein the control section is configured to determine whether or not the nozzle is a defective nozzle based on vibration generated by applying a drive signal having a specific waveform, and is configured to apply the drive signal of the specific waveform in the deceleration and acceleration period that spans the first movement deceleration period and the second movement acceleration period.