Inkjet Recovery Control Using Dot Count Per Printing Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing technologies fail to account for the time period of ink ejection, leading to improper execution of recovery operations, either insufficient or excessive ink consumption, due to bubble accumulation in the print head.
Innovation Solution
A control method that determines the execution of recovery operations based on both the number of ink ejections (dot count value) and the time period of printing, adjusting threshold values to optimize when recovery is necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If recovery operation is executed based only on the number of ink ejection times, then the control is simple, but bubble accumulation is not properly addressed leading to ejection failures or excessive recovery operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from solely counting ink ejection times to using dot count value per unit time (dot count value divided by printing time period). This parameter transformation allows the system to account for both the number of ejections and the time factor, enabling proper detection of bubble accumulation conditions without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control unit continuously monitors the dot count value and printing time period, calculates the dot count value per unit time, and adjusts the recovery operation execution accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable ink ejection by triggering recovery operations precisely when bubble accumulation becomes problematic.
2Reliability
If recovery operation is executed frequently to prevent ejection failures, then ink ejection stability is maintained, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By transforming the control parameter to dot count value per unit time, the system can distinguish between high-volume short-duration printing (where bubbles accumulate quickly) and low-volume long-duration printing (where bubbles accumulate slowly). This enables recovery operations to be executed only when necessary, reducing unnecessary ink consumption while maintaining ejection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by executing recovery operations only when the dot count value per unit time exceeds the threshold, rather than performing recovery operations after every certain number of ejections. This selective approach prevents excessive recovery operations and reduces ink consumption while still maintaining reliable ejection performance.
3Device complexity
If recovery operation is executed based on accumulated dot count value without time consideration, then the control is simple, but the timing of recovery operations is improper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time-normalized parameter (dot count value per unit time) that combines both the accumulated dot count value and the printing time period into a single control metric. This parameter transformation enables proper timing of recovery operations without significantly increasing control complexity, as the calculation is straightforward and can be performed by existing control units.
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
Properly executes recovery operations to maintain stable ink ejection, reducing unnecessary ink consumption and preventing ejection failures by considering both dot count and time period.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat the ink in the print head to a temperature higher than a temperature for ejection of the ink
Implementation Method 2
In an inkjet printing apparatus, for example, thermal energy is utilized to eject ink
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus including a printing unit to print an ink image on a print medium, a recovery unit executing a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering favorable ink ejection performance, an obtainment unit obtaining a dot count value, which is the number of times ink is ejected during printing, and a printing time period, which is a time period required for the printing, and a control unit controlling the recovery operation, based on a count value, which is an accumulated value of the dot count value, and a threshold value for determining whether to execute the recovery operation. When a dot count value per unit time based on the dot count value and the printing time period is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit updates the count value to a value to which the dot count value is added, to control the recovery operation.