Liquid Discharging Apparatus Startup Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharging apparatuses, such as ink-jet printers, require a significant time to stabilize the power supply voltage before becoming usable, limiting the speed at which they can be powered on and ready for operation, as they need to perform voltage checking and flushing operations after the voltage is stabilized.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a controller that starts applying voltage to the driving element during the power supply voltage raise, using intermediate voltage levels and pulse signals to attenuate voltage fluctuations, allowing for early initiation of flushing and reducing the time needed for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the power supply voltage is gradually raised with repeated voltage checking and feedback control to prevent instability, then the voltage stability is improved, but the time required for the apparatus to become usable increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by starting the voltage supply to the driving device during the voltage raising process before the power supply voltage is fully stabilized. The controller starts supplying voltage from the power unit to the driving device while the power supply voltage is being raised, allowing the driving element to begin operation in advance. This preliminary action enables the apparatus to become usable sooner while maintaining voltage stability through the switch's control functionality.
2Reliability
If the flushing operation is performed after the power supply voltage is raised and stabilized, then the nozzle cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the time required for the apparatus to become usable increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the flushing operation as a preliminary action during the voltage raising process. The controller controls the driving device to apply voltage to the driving element while the power supply voltage is being raised, which causes liquid to be discharged from the nozzle in advance. This preliminary flushing action allows the nozzle to be cleaned before the voltage stabilization is complete, thereby reducing the overall startup time while ensuring nozzle reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the voltage supply to the driving device is delayed until the power supply voltage is fully stabilized, then the voltage fluctuation is minimized, but the apparatus startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage supply timing flexible and adaptive. The switch is configured to start supplying voltage from the power unit to the driving device during the voltage raising process, and the controller dynamically adjusts the voltage application based on the current voltage level. This dynamic approach allows the system to balance between voltage stability and startup speed, enabling the apparatus to become usable faster while maintaining adequate voltage stability for proper operation.
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 significantly reduces the time required for the apparatus to become usable after power-on by allowing voltage checking and flushing to occur during the power supply voltage raise, thereby shortening the overall startup time.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element of an ink-jet head
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharging apparatus configured to discharge liquid, including: a liquid discharging head including a driving element; a driving device configured to drive the driving element; a power unit; a switch configured to perform switching of voltage supply; and a controller. When the power unit is switched on, the controller causes a power supply voltage of the power unit to be raised up to a first voltage while checking the power supply voltage; and the controller controls the switch to start the voltage supply from the power unit to the driving device while the power supply voltage is being raised up to the first voltage; and under a condition that the voltage supply is started while the power supply voltage is being raised up to the first voltage, the controller controls the driving device to apply the voltage to the driving element.