Liquid Discharge Apparatus Head Chip Ink Drying Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink-jet printers face challenges in reducing power consumption and heat generation during maintenance while preventing ink deterioration due to drying, which affects image quality.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge apparatus employs a configuration with facing and non-facing head chips, where the circulation flowing amount and non-discharge vibration drive frequency are adjusted based on the head chip's position relative to the recording medium to mitigate ink drying effects and optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the circulation flowing amount and non-discharge vibration drive frequency are increased to prevent ink drying in facing head chips, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different circulation flowing amounts and vibration drive frequencies to different head chips based on their position. Facing head chips (exposed to air current) receive higher circulation and vibration to prevent drying, while non-facing head chips receive lower levels. This localized differentiation maintains image quality where needed while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the circulation flowing amount and vibration drive frequency based on real-time detection of recording medium conveyance and head chip positioning. The controller modifies operational parameters adaptively, increasing maintenance intensity only when and where drying risk is detected, rather than maintaining constant high-level operation across all head chips.
2Reliability
If the circulation flowing amount is increased to prevent ink drying, then image quality is maintained, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-specific circulation control where only facing head chips exposed to air current receive high circulation flowing amounts. Non-facing head chips operate with reduced circulation, thereby generating less heat. This localized approach prevents unnecessary heat accumulation in head chips that do not require intensive maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic non-discharge vibration drives with varying frequencies and durations tailored to each head chip's exposure conditions. By applying vibration intermittently rather than continuously, and with reduced intensity for non-facing chips, the system prevents ink drying through periodic meniscus agitation while minimizing heat generation from continuous operation.
3Reliability
If non-discharge vibration drive frequency is increased to prevent ink drying, then image quality is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different vibration drive frequencies to facing and non-facing head chips. Facing head chips receive higher frequency vibration drives to counteract air current effects, while non-facing head chips receive lower frequency or reduced duration vibration. This localized frequency differentiation maintains image quality for exposed nozzles while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts vibration drive frequency based on detected conveyance conditions and head chip positioning. When air current exposure is detected, vibration frequency increases for facing chips; when exposure is minimal or absent, frequency decreases for non-facing chips. This dynamic adaptation optimizes power usage according to actual drying risk.
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 reduces power consumption and heat generation while inhibiting ink deterioration, thereby maintaining image quality by dynamically managing ink circulation and vibration in the ink-jet printer's head chips.
Implementation Method 1
a meniscus of a nozzle included in the nozzles is vibrated without discharging the liquid from the nozzle in the non-discharge vibration drive
Implementation Method 2
The liquid circulates between the manifold and a tank containing the liquid through the circulation channel
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a conveyer; head chips; a circulation channel; and a controller. Each head chip includes a manifold; a nozzle group, and actuators. Each head chip is configured to execute discharge drive and non-discharge vibration drive. The head chips include: an end head chip; a facing head chip facing the recording medium; and a non-facing head chip not facing the recording medium. The controller is configured to make at least one of a circulation flowing amount of a liquid in the circulation channel in the facing head chip and a frequency of the non-discharge vibration drive by an actuator included in the actuators in the facing head chip larger than those of the non-facing head chip.