Inkjet Nozzle Defect Detection Using Visible Marker Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with defective nozzles due to increased ink viscosity, air bubbles, or dust, leading to poor print quality, especially when using transparent or color-matched liquids, making it difficult to identify and address ejection failures.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a first nozzle group for a less visible liquid and a second nozzle group for a more visible liquid, allowing detection and visualization of defective nozzles without a test pattern, using the second liquid to indicate ejection states and defective nozzle information on the medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a test pattern is printed using transparent or color-matched liquid (first liquid), then the printing process can be completed, but it becomes difficult to identify defective nozzles through visual inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second liquid with high visibility as an intermediary substance to mark the positions of nozzles and defective nozzles. This mediator allows operators to visually identify defective nozzles without affecting the actual printing process using the first liquid, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining nozzle function and enabling defect detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color contrast by using a second liquid that is visually distinct (e.g., colored) compared to the transparent or color-matched first liquid. This color differentiation enables easy visual identification of nozzle positions and defective nozzles on the printed medium, solving the detection difficulty while preserving the integrity of the original printing process.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a test pattern is printed to inspect nozzle ejection state, then defective nozzles can be identified, but the process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nozzle inspection function with the regular printing process by using the same print head to eject both the first liquid (for actual printing) and the second liquid (for inspection marking). This merging eliminates the need for separate inspection equipment and procedures, reducing process complexity while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The print head is designed to perform multiple functions: it can eject the first liquid for normal printing operations and the second liquid for defective nozzle identification. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle both production and inspection tasks, simplifying the overall system while improving detection capability.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a test pattern is printed to show ejection state of each nozzle, then defective nozzles can be detected, but printing time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by ejecting the second liquid only at necessary locations (defective nozzle positions or specific marker positions) rather than printing a complete test pattern across the entire medium. This selective marking approach provides sufficient information for defect detection while minimizing the time consumed and maintaining high printing productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A print head has a first nozzle group that includes a plurality of first nozzles capable of ejecting a first liquid onto a medium, and a second nozzle group that includes a plurality of second nozzles ejecting a second liquid that is more visible than the first liquid onto the medium. A detection section is capable of detecting a first defective nozzle, which is ejection failure, from the first nozzle group without printing a test pattern indicating ejection state of each of the first nozzles on the medium. A control section causes a second nozzle test pattern indicating ejection state of each of the second nozzles to be printed on the medium using the second liquid, and information regarding the first defective nozzles detected by the detection section to be printed on the medium using the second liquid.