Liquid Discharge Device Nozzle Maintenance Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing printers, the time taken for ink to reach the required amount in the tank after a new cartridge is mounted is lengthy, causing a delay in starting the ink discharge process.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration with a tank, a head having multiple nozzles, a first sensor to detect the ink level, and a controller that performs maintenance on part of the nozzle rows when the ink level reaches a certain position, followed by maintenance on the remaining rows under a predetermined condition, allowing earlier ink discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is introduced into the head after the required amount is stored in the tank, then the head receives sufficient ink for proper operation, but the time from cartridge mounting to ink discharge becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary maintenance actions on the head (purge operations, bubble removal) before the tank is fully filled with ink. The controller monitors the ink level and initiates maintenance sequences as soon as minimum level is reached, rather than waiting for the tank to be completely full, thus reducing the overall wait time while ensuring proper head operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintenance process is segmented into multiple phases: initial purge of air bubbles, intermediate maintenance operations, and final discharge preparation. The controller manages these segmented operations sequentially, allowing the system to perform necessary maintenance tasks in stages rather than requiring all ink to be present before any maintenance begins.
2Manufacturing precision
If the printer waits for the tank to be fully filled with ink before starting maintenance, then all nozzles can be maintained properly, but the discharge of ink is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller initiates maintenance operations on nozzle groups as soon as sufficient ink level is detected, performing preliminary maintenance actions that ensure proper nozzle function. This allows maintenance to begin in advance rather than waiting for complete tank filling, improving productivity while maintaining manufacturing precision through systematic maintenance sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle rows are divided into multiple groups that can be maintained in sequence. The controller manages segmented maintenance operations, allowing different nozzle groups to be maintained at different times based on ink availability, thus ensuring thorough maintenance without requiring all ink to be present simultaneously for all nozzles.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge device includes a tank configured to store a liquid, a head having a plurality of nozzles forming a plurality of nozzle rows, a first sensor configured to output a first signal when a liquid level of the liquid is at or above a first position and to output a second signal when the liquid level is below the first position, and a controller configured to: based on receiving the first signal after receiving the second signal, perform a first maintenance on a part of the nozzle rows of the head; in a case a predetermined condition is satisfied after performing the first maintenance, perform a second maintenance on remaining nozzle rows of the head; and after performing the first and the maintenances, control the head to discharge the liquid from the plurality of nozzles.