Liquid Droplet Ejection Nozzle Abnormality Detection With Electrode Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet ejecting apparatuses, such as printers, struggle to accurately determine the presence of abnormalities in nozzle ejection, leading to incorrect determinations of nozzle functionality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus with a signal outputting part and a controller that analyzes the magnitude of electric changes at an electrode to differentiate between normal and abnormal nozzle operations, using specific voltage thresholds to determine the presence of first, second, and third abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single threshold value is used to determine nozzle ejection status, then the determination process is simple, but the accuracy of abnormality detection is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dividing the ejection determination into multiple threshold levels (first threshold for normal ejection, second threshold for clog-up, third threshold for unstable state). This multi-threshold approach transforms a single-parameter determination into a multi-parameter evaluation system, improving detection accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through clear conditional logic.
2Device complexity
If the potential difference is always determined as normal when not less than the first threshold value, then the determination rule is simple, but false positives occur in inspecting driving with large electric changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the determination rule adaptive based on the operating mode. During inspecting driving, the system dynamically adjusts the determination criteria to account for expected large electric changes, whereas during normal ejection, the standard threshold rules apply. This dynamic adjustment prevents false positives while maintaining simple rules for each specific mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback by comparing the actual ejection state against multiple threshold values and adjusting the determination accordingly. The system receives feedback from the electrode potential difference and uses this information to distinguish between normal inspecting driving conditions and actual nozzle abnormalities, improving reliability through conditional feedback-based determination.
3Measurement precision
If multiple threshold values are used to differentiate ejection states, then the abnormality detection accuracy is improved, but the determination process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages parameter changes complexity by establishing clear hierarchical relationships among multiple thresholds. The first threshold (higher value) determines normal ejection, the second threshold (lower value) determines clog-up, and the third threshold distinguishes unstable states. This structured parameter arrangement improves detection accuracy while keeping the determination process manageable through systematic conditional evaluation.
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
Enables precise determination of nozzle abnormalities, allowing for correct identification of nozzle issues and facilitating targeted maintenance, such as non-recoverable nozzle identification and head exchange.
Implementation Method 1
a signal outputting part including an electrode and configured to output a signal indicating a magnitude of an electric change in the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a head having a nozzle; a signal outputting part having an electrode and configured to output a signal indicating a magnitude of an electric change in the electrode; and a controller. The controller is configured to execute a determination as to whether or not the nozzle is normal based on the signal output from the signal outputting part in a case that the controller drives the head so as to eject a liquid droplet from the nozzle toward the electrode. The controller is configured to determine that the nozzle is normal in a case that the magnitude of the electric change is within a predetermined normal range, and to determine that the nozzle has a first abnormality in a case that the magnitude of the electric change is greater than the normal range.