Inkjet Print Head Temperature Sensor Calibration via Ink Filling Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting the temperature sensor in ink jet printing apparatuses are inefficient, either requiring a long time to achieve accurate temperature alignment or leaving uncorrected offset tolerances, especially when the print head transitions from extreme temperatures to normal conditions.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a first detection unit for the print head, a second detection unit for environment temperature, an estimation unit to predict temperature convergence, a setting unit for correction values, and a control unit to adjust the print head's operation based on corrected temperature data, allowing for rapid and accurate temperature sensor calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the time interval of temperature detection is reduced to quickly find correction value, then the time to start printing is shortened, but the estimation accuracy of temperature sensor is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary temperature detection during the ink filling process, which occurs before normal printing operations. By utilizing this pre-existing time window to detect temperature and calculate correction values, the system avoids extending the overall time required for printing operations while still achieving accurate temperature compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an estimation unit that acts as an intermediary between the temperature detection unit and the correction value calculation. This estimation unit uses the temperature change during ink filling as an intermediate measurement to predict the temperature at equilibrium, enabling correction value calculation without waiting for complete thermal equilibrium.
2Measurement precision
If the time interval of temperature detection is lengthened to improve estimation accuracy, then the accuracy of temperature sensor correction is improved, but it takes a long time until printing can start
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs temperature detection and correction value calculation during the ink filling process, which is a preliminary operation that must be completed before printing anyway. This eliminates the need for separate temperature stabilization waiting time and accelerates the overall system readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from absolute temperature to temperature change rate during the filling process. By monitoring how temperature changes over time during ink filling, the system can extrapolate the equilibrium temperature and calculate correction values without waiting for the actual equilibrium state to occur.
3Productivity
If a fixed correction value is used, then the correction process is simplified and quick, but the unique offset tolerance of the temperature sensor remains uncorrected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting its own temperature characteristics during operation and calculating its own correction values. Each print head autonomously determines its temperature offset by monitoring temperature changes during ink filling, eliminating the need for manual calibration or factory-set fixed correction values.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the temperature detection unit continuously monitors the print head temperature, the estimation unit processes this data to predict equilibrium temperature, and the correction unit applies the calculated correction value back to the temperature readings, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for sensor offsets.
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to quickly correct a temperature sensor for an ejection head by, both efficiently and in a brief time, estimating a detected temperature of the temperature sensor for the ejection head in a case where the temperature of the ejection head of liquid becomes sufficiently close to an environment temperature. The temperature of a print head 1 is detected by a diode sensor 17 and the environment temperature is detected by a thermistor 10. Based on a change in the detected temperature of the diode sensor 17 at the time of filling of ink for the print head 1, the detected temperature of the diode sensor 17 in a case where the temperature of the print head 1 becomes close to the environment temperature is estimated as an estimated detected temperature. Based on a difference between the estimated detected temperature and the environment temperature, a correction value of the detected temperature of the diode sensor 17 is set.