Liquid Discharge Apparatus Intermittent Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining appropriate pressure on meniscuses during liquid circulation, particularly when the return-side channel has high channel resistance or internal pressure, leading to potential ink leakage from nozzles.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a first pump for supplying ink to the ink-jet head and a second pump connected via a gas channel to discharge gas from the storage chamber, with a controller managing the pumps' operation to minimize power consumption by intermittently driving the second pump, especially when negative pressure is maintained in the storage chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two pumps are driven at all times for ink circulation, then ink circulation is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the second pump to operate intermittently rather than continuously. The controller alternates between driving and stopping the second pump based on circulation requirements, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining ink circulation functionality. This is explicitly stated in the background section where it mentions that continuous driving of two pumps increases power consumption, and the solution involves selective operation of the second pump.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the second pump is stopped to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but pressure control on meniscuses may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a pressure sensor to detect the pressure in the return-side channel and adjusting the operation of the second pump accordingly. When the detected pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the controller stops the second pump to prevent excessive pressure on meniscuses. This feedback mechanism ensures pressure control is maintained while allowing the pump to be stopped for power savings, directly resolving the contradiction between power consumption and pressure control.
3Stress or pressure
If the second pump is driven continuously to maintain negative pressure, then pressure control is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the second pump to operate intermittently rather than continuously. The controller alternates between driving and stopping the second pump based on circulation requirements, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining ink circulation functionality. This is explicitly stated in the background section where it mentions that continuous driving of two pumps increases power consumption, and the solution involves selective operation of the second pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the pressure sensor to automatically control the second pump's operation. When negative pressure is sufficient or circulation is not required, the pump stops automatically without continuous control input, allowing the system to self-regulate pressure while minimizing power consumption.
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 configuration reduces power consumption while maintaining stable pressure on meniscuses, preventing ink leakage and ensuring efficient ink circulation, even with high channel resistance or internal pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
when the storage chamber has predefined negative pressure owing to the driving of the second pump
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a nozzle; a storage chamber that stores liquid; a supply channel communicating with the liquid discharge head and an outlet of the storage chamber; a return channel communicating with the liquid discharge head and an inlet of the storage chamber; a first pump that is provided in the supply channel and feeds the liquid stored in the storage chamber to the liquid discharge head; a gas channel connected to the storage chamber; a second pump that is connected to the storage chamber via the gas channel and discharges gas from inside the storage chamber; and a controller. The controller continues driving of the first pump and driving of the second pump in a first period, and stops the driving of the second pump with the driving of the first pump being continued, in a second period after the first period.