Ink-jet Printer Drive Voltage Control for Flushing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face challenges in reducing First Print Out Time (FPOT) while maintaining image recording quality, as the amount of ink discharged during the flushing process affects both the duration and quality of the process.
Innovation Solution
An ink-jet printer configuration that adjusts the drive voltage based on the ink amount to be discharged, allowing for efficient ink discharge during the flushing process while the carriage is moving, thereby reducing FPOT and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the amount of ink discharged in the flushing process is increased, then image recording quality is maintained, but the preparation process takes longer and FPOT deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the drive voltage to the recording head based on the determined ink discharge amount. When a larger ink amount is required for flushing, the drive voltage is increased to enable faster ink ejection, thereby maintaining image quality requirements while reducing the time penalty associated with discharging larger ink volumes
2Loss of time
If the amount of ink discharged in the flushing process is decreased, then FPOT is reduced, but image recording quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the drive voltage parameter based on the required ink discharge amount. When the determined ink amount is small, the drive voltage is set to a lower level, enabling faster flushing that reduces FPOT while still delivering sufficient ink to maintain acceptable image recording quality
3Productivity
If the drive voltage is increased to discharge more ink, then ink discharge speed increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the drive voltage adjustable rather than fixed. The drive voltage is dynamically changed based on the determined ink discharge amount, allowing the system to optimize between ink discharge speed and energy consumption by applying higher voltage only when larger ink amounts require faster discharge
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 reduces FPOT by ensuring the necessary ink is discharged reliably during the flushing process, while maintaining image recording quality by adjusting the drive voltage and executing the flushing process while the carriage is in motion.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply configured to supply a drive voltage to the recording head... raising the drive voltage to a first voltage in a case that the determined discharge ink amount is less than a first threshold value, and raising the drive voltage to a second voltage higher than the first voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet printer including a conveyor, a carriage, a recording head, a power supply, an ink receiver, a command receiver, and a controller, is provided. The controller executes the steps of: determining a discharge ink amount that should be discharged to the ink receiver; raising a drive voltage to a first voltage when the discharge ink amount is less than a first threshold value, and raising the drive voltage to a second voltage when the discharge ink amount is the first threshold value or more; performing a flushing process; based on the flushing process after having raised the drive voltage to the second voltage having finished in the case of having raised the drive voltage to the second voltage, stepping down the drive voltage from the second voltage to the first voltage; and based on the flushing process having finished and on the drive voltage being the first voltage, performing a printing process.