Inspection Ejection Unit Designation Data for High-Speed Inkjet Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed inkjet printers with many nozzles face increased inspection times due to the bottleneck of data transmission and processing required for nozzle inspection, which affects printing efficiency and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting apparatus with an inspection ejection unit designation data management system that uses first and second data formats of different sizes to efficiently manage and transmit data for nozzle inspection, allowing for faster designation and inspection of ejection units, including shifting designation and omitting unnecessary data processing, thereby reducing inspection time and risk of data disturbance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve high-speed printing, then printing speed is improved, but inspection time increases due to the bottleneck of data transmission and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the inspection data into two formats: first data format for the first inspected nozzle and second data format for continuously inspected nozzles. This segmentation allows the system to process and transmit only essential information for each nozzle group, reducing overall data transmission volume and processing time while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage across all nozzles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the data format parameter from a uniform structure to a variable structure where the second data format has a smaller size than the first data format. This parameter change optimizes the data representation by storing only the necessary information for continuously inspected nozzles, thereby reducing data transmission time and processing load without compromising inspection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the same data format is used for all nozzles, then data management is simplified, but data transmission amount increases and inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management simplicityVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using different data formats for different nozzle groups. The first data format is used for the initial inspected nozzle where complete information is needed, while the second, more compact data format is used for subsequently inspected nozzles. This localized optimization reduces overall data transmission volume while maintaining ease of operation through clear format differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If comprehensive inspection data is transmitted for all nozzles, then inspection accuracy is maintained, but data transmission amount increases and risk of data disturbance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidrisk of data disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for continuous nozzle inspection into the second data format, separating it from the complete first data format. This extraction process removes redundant data that would increase transmission volume and vulnerability to disturbance, while retaining the critical information necessary for maintaining inspection accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables high-speed inspection of ejection units, reduces data management time, minimizes the risk of data-related malfunctions, and maintains productivity by allowing continuous printing even when ejection failures occur, thus enhancing overall printing efficiency and reducing product discard rates.

Implementation Method 1

uses piezoelectric elements (for example, piezo elements). The piezoelectric elements are provided in correspondence with each of a plurality of nozzles of a head unit, and each of the piezoelectric elements is driven according to a drive signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9821551B2Liquid ejecting apparatus and inspection ejection unit designation data generation circuit

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes an ejection unit group that is configured with a plurality of ejection units which receives a drive signal and ejects liquid; an ejection state inspection unit that inspects a state of the ejection units; and an inspection ejection unit designation data management unit that manages inspection ejection unit designation data designating the ejection unit which is an inspection target that is the ejection unit which is inspected by the ejection state inspection unit, in the ejection unit group. The inspection ejection unit designation data includes first data of a first data format that designates the ejection unit which is first inspected, and second data of a second data format that designates the ejection unit which is continuously inspected. The second data has a smaller size than the first data.