Ink Jet Recording Apparatus Ink Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with increased waste ink due to premature discharge operations in long supply tubes, leading to unnecessary ink discharge and inefficiency in managing ink density within the supply tube.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the discharge timing based on elapsed time and ink consumption amount, using a discharge unit to manage ink density by resetting and updating timer values to optimize ink replacement operations, thereby reducing waste ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the supply tube is made longer to record images on larger-size recording media, then the recording capability is improved, but the amount of waste ink increases due to premature discharge operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the discharge determination criteria flexible and adaptive. Instead of using a fixed time threshold, the system dynamically adjusts the discharge decision based on multiple varying factors including elapsed time, ink consumption amount, and number of recording operations. This allows the discharge operation to be triggered only when truly necessary, reducing waste ink while accommodating various recording conditions on different sized media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for discharge determination from a single fixed parameter (time) to multiple variable parameters (elapsed time, ink consumption amount, number of recording operations). By monitoring and comparing these varying parameters against stored reference values, the system optimizes the discharge timing to prevent both premature discharge (wasting ink) and delayed discharge (causing density increase), thus resolving the contradiction between recording capability and waste ink reduction.
2Reliability
If the discharge operation is executed at a predetermined time to prevent ink density increase, then image quality is maintained, but waste ink increases when ink is consumed before the predetermined time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the discharge determination from a single fixed time parameter to multiple variable parameters including elapsed time, ink consumption amount, and number of recording operations. By storing reference values for these parameters and comparing current values against them, the system determines discharge timing more accurately, preventing discharge when ink has been consumed and density remains acceptable, thus reducing waste ink while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual ink consumption amount and number of recording operations, comparing these values against stored reference values, and using this information to determine whether discharge is necessary. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to actual usage patterns, triggering discharge only when density increase is likely, thereby preventing both image quality degradation and unnecessary ink waste.
3Loss of substance
If the ink consumption amount is considered to moderate density increase, then waste ink can be reduced, but the discharge timing becomes less predictable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ink consumption amount as an additional parameter for discharge determination, alongside elapsed time and number of recording operations. By storing reference values for these parameters and comparing current values against them, the system achieves more accurate discharge timing that reflects actual ink usage patterns. This reduces waste ink by preventing discharge when density remains acceptable, while the structured comparison approach keeps control complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus is capable of suppressing an increase of waste ink while solving an increase in density of ink within a supply tube. An ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a recording head configured to discharge ink, a tank configured to store ink, a supply tube configured to supply ink to the recording head from the tank, a discharge unit configured to execute a discharge operation for discharging ink within the supply tuber a control unit configured to make the discharge unit execute a discharge operation when an elapsed time from a previous discharge operation is greater than a predetermined time, and a changing unit configured to change at least any one of the elapsed time or the predetermined time based on an ink consumption amount consumed through the recording head after the previous discharge operation.