Liquid Discharge Apparatus Selective Nozzle Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink thickening in nozzle nozzles during monochrome printing leads to unreliable discharge and reduced print quality, and the existing flushing methods are complex and time-consuming, affecting printing throughput.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a controller that manages two nozzle arrays, allowing for selective flushing by opening and closing the cap to prevent ink thickening, and adjusting flushing based on print data, transportation speed, and page count to improve throughput and print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing is performed by switching the cap to face the nozzle, then ink thickening is prevented, but the control becomes complicated and printing throughput deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle array into multiple independent nozzle groups (first nozzle group, second nozzle group, etc.), each with its own cap. This segmentation allows selective opening/closing of individual nozzle groups rather than controlling all nozzles through a single cap, simplifying the control mechanism while maintaining the ability to perform targeted flushing operations on specific nozzles that require it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where the cap opening/closing state is adjusted based on real-time printing conditions. The controller determines which nozzle groups need flushing by monitoring print data (e.g., when a specific color is not used), and dynamically opens only those caps, rather than switching all caps or maintaining a fixed cap configuration.
2Reliability
If flushing is performed by switching the cap, then ink thickening is prevented, but the required time for flushing increases and printing throughput deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the nozzle array into multiple independent groups with separate caps, the patent enables parallel or selective flushing operations. Only the nozzle groups that require flushing (based on print data analysis) have their caps opened, allowing flushing to be performed simultaneously on multiple nozzles or skipped on nozzles that don't need it, thereby reducing total flushing time and maintaining high printing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller performs preliminary analysis of the print data before actual printing to identify which nozzle groups will not be used (e.g., color nozzles during monochrome printing). Based on this preliminary determination, the controller proactively opens only the necessary caps for flushing before the printing operation begins, preventing ink thickening in advance without requiring time-consuming cap switching during the printing process.
3Reliability
If the cap is opened for flushing, then ink thickening is prevented, but additional time is required for cap opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cap control where the opening/closing state of each cap is adjusted based on real-time printing conditions. The controller monitors print data to identify which nozzle groups require flushing (e.g., when a specific color is not used during printing), and dynamically opens only those specific caps. This dynamic approach minimizes the number of cap operations required compared to switching all caps or maintaining a fixed open state, thereby reducing the time lost to cap operations while preventing ink thickening where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus, comprising: a transportation unit that transports a medium; a head that includes a first nozzle array on which nozzles for discharging a first liquid are arrayed, and a second nozzle array on which nozzles for discharging a second liquid are arrayed; and a controller that controls the transportation unit and the head based on print data, wherein, in a case where the printing of the print data is designated to be performed without forming the printing dots of the first liquid on the medium, the controller causes the head to discharge the second liquid from the second nozzle array to form the printing dots of the second liquid on the medium, and causes the head to discharge the first liquid from the first nozzle array to form the flushing dots of the first liquid on the medium.