Inkjet Printer Ink Circulation Control with Detector Self-Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printers with liquid surface detectors can malfunction due to external disturbances, leading to improper ink circulation and overflow, as they lack a mechanism to detect detector malfunctions and ensure proper operation.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system that includes liquid surface detectors, a control unit, and a determination unit to monitor and accumulate data on ink levels in two tanks, allowing for the detection of abnormalities in the detectors and ensuring proper ink circulation by adjusting the pump and supplementary feed valve operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid surface detectors are used to monitor ink levels in ink tanks, then ink circulation control is improved, but detector malfunction due to external disturbance causes improper ink circulation and overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses liquid surface detectors to continuously monitor ink levels and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit adjusts pump operations and supplementary feed valve based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains proper ink circulation while detecting abnormalities in detector operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the liquid surface detectors and the ink circulation components (pump and supplementary feed valve). It processes detector signals, determines detector abnormality based on accumulated detection results, and controls the ink circulation system accordingly, isolating the detectors from direct impact of external disturbances.
2Productivity
If ink circulation is maintained through pump operation, then ink supply to ink head is ensured, but detector abnormality causes excessive ink flow and overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors detector output signals and uses this feedback to control pump operation and supplementary feed valve. When detector abnormality is detected through accumulated detection data, the control unit adjusts or stops ink circulation to prevent overflow, maintaining productivity during normal operation while preventing harm during abnormal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit accumulates detector detection results over time and determines detector abnormality before actual overflow occurs. This preliminary detection and determination mechanism allows the system to take preventive action by controlling the pump and supplementary feed valve before excessive ink flow and overflow can happen.
3Measurement precision
If liquid surface detectors continuously monitor ink levels, then ink management is improved, but detector malfunction leads to false readings and improper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from liquid surface detectors and monitors their output signals. By accumulating detection results over time and analyzing patterns, the system can distinguish between normal variations and detector malfunctions, maintaining measurement precision while detecting reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by having the control unit determine detector abnormality based on the detectors' own output signals. The accumulated detection results are analyzed to identify when detectors are malfunctioning, allowing the system to self-correct by adjusting pump and valve operations without external intervention.
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 system effectively maintains proper ink circulation by detecting and addressing malfunctions in liquid surface detectors, preventing overflow and ensuring efficient ink management, even when external disturbances occur.
Implementation Method 1
a first tank which is positioned above the nozzle surface along a gravitational direction and stores the ink to be supplied for the ink head, a second tank which is provided below the nozzle surface in the gravitational direction and stores the ink collected from the ink head
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer includes an ink circulation path, a first tank, a second tank, and a pump, first and second liquid surface detectors which respectively detect ink liquid surfaces in the first and second tanks, an ink supply unit, a supplementary feed valve a control unit, a storage unit, and a determination unit. During ink circulation, the storage unit accumulatively stores a detection result of the second detector. Based on the result, the determination unit determines occurrence of an abnormality in the second liquid surface detector. The storage unit thereafter accumulatively stores the detection result. Based on the result, the determination unit determines occurrence of the first liquid surface detector.