Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Agitator Purge Cycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with residual preservation liquid in the head unit, which can mix with ink and deteriorate print quality, despite initial purge processes, as existing methods fail to effectively discharge all preservation liquid, leading to ejection malfunctions and quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a head unit, discharger, agitator, and processor that performs an introducing process to discharge preservation liquid, followed by an agitating process to mix ink with the liquid, and a discharging process to remove the agitated liquid, repeating these steps multiple times to ensure thorough removal of preservation liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If initial purge process is performed to replace preservation liquid with ink, then ink is introduced into the head unit, but preservation liquid remains in the liquid channel causing print quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple preliminary purge operations before initial printing to thoroughly remove preservation liquid from the liquid channel. The system executes a first purge operation, then a second purge operation with different ejection patterns, ensuring preservation liquid is completely removed before normal printing begins, thus preventing print quality deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by conducting repeated purge operations at different stages. The system performs periodic ejection of test patterns and executes multiple purge cycles with varying frequencies and patterns, allowing thorough removal of preservation liquid through repeated alternating actions of ejection and purging.
2Productivity
If preservation liquid is not completely removed, then printing can proceed, but ink mixes with preservation liquid causing ejection malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary purge operations before initiating normal printing operations. By executing thorough purging routines that include multiple ejection patterns and repeated cycles, the system ensures preservation liquid is removed in advance, allowing printing to proceed with reliable ejection function without contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring ejection performance and executing additional purge operations when preservation liquid is detected. The system adjusts purging intensity and frequency based on detected contamination levels, ensuring ejection function reliability is maintained throughout printing operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple purge operations are performed to remove preservation liquid, then print quality is maintained, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing targeted purge operations only in specific liquid channel regions where preservation liquid accumulates. The system uses selective ejection patterns that focus purging effort on problematic areas rather than uniformly purging the entire channel, reducing overall ink consumption while maintaining print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by applying different purging strategies to different sections of the liquid channel. The patent uses position-dependent ejection patterns that intensify purging in regions with higher preservation liquid concentration while reducing purging intensity in clean regions, optimizing ink usage while ensuring print quality.
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 the amount of residual preservation liquid in the head unit, preventing ink quality issues and ensuring reliable ejection, thereby improving print quality and extending the life of ink cartridges by minimizing ink consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an agitating process of, after the introducing process, controlling the agitator to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel
Data Source
AI summary
A discharger is configured to discharge liquid in a liquid channel to outside the liquid channel. The liquid is at least one of first liquid and second liquid different from the first liquid. An agitator is configured to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel. When executed by a processor, instructions cause the processor to perform: an introducing process of, when the second liquid exists in the liquid channel, controlling the discharger to discharge the second liquid to outside the liquid channel and to introduce the first liquid from the tank into the liquid channel; an agitating process of, after the introducing process, controlling the agitator to agitate the liquid in the liquid channel; and a discharging process of, after the agitating process, controlling the discharger to discharge the liquid in the liquid channel agitated by the agitator to outside the liquid channel.