Inkjet Printer Waste Ink Tank Control to Prevent Leakage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet printers face challenges in minimizing liquid leakage during waste liquid collection, particularly due to the timing of ink discharge operations and the capacity of waste ink collection tanks.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a control unit that delays the start of a discharge operation until a predetermined time has passed since the previous session, based on the amount of liquid discharged, to ensure the waste ink collection tank is restored and capable of handling the expected discharge amount, thereby preventing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a discharge operation is performed frequently to maintain the recording head, then the recording head maintenance is improved, but liquid leakage from the waste ink collection tank increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit calculates the waste ink volume that would be generated by the upcoming discharge operation and compares it with the current available storage capacity in the waste ink collection tank. This preliminary assessment prevents discharge operations that would cause overflow and liquid leakage, while still allowing maintenance operations to proceed when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the waste ink collection tank's storage capacity and uses this feedback information to control whether discharge operations can be performed. The control unit adjusts discharge operation permissions based on real-time or estimated tank capacity, preventing operations that would lead to liquid leakage.
2Quantity of substance
If the waste ink collection tank capacity is increased to handle larger discharge amounts, then the discharge amount capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a fixed large-capacity tank, the system dynamically manages the effective storage capacity by calculating available space based on current waste ink volume and controlling discharge operations accordingly. This allows the system to adapt to varying discharge amounts without requiring a permanently oversized tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the operational parameters of discharge operations based on the current state of the waste ink collection tank. When storage capacity is sufficient, discharge operations are permitted; when capacity is near exhaustion, operations are restricted or delayed, effectively adjusting system behavior to match available capacity.
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
This approach effectively minimizes liquid leakage by ensuring the waste ink collection tank is adequately recovered between discharge operations, maintaining its storage capacity and preventing ink from leaking outside.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge unit configured to cause a recording head to discharge liquid
Implementation Method 2
a waste ink collection tank configured to store the liquid discharged from the recording head
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a discharge unit that causes a recording head to discharge liquid, a storing unit that stores the liquid discharged from the recording head, and a control unit that notifies a user not to start a discharge operation until a predetermined time has passed since a previous session of the discharge operation, when an amount of liquid discharged in the previous session of the discharge operation by the discharge unit is a first discharge amount, and not to notify the user in a case where the amount of liquid discharged in the previous session of the discharge operation by the discharge unit is a second discharge amount smaller than the first discharge amount.