Liquid ejecting apparatus, embroidery system, and method for controlling liquid ejecting apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thread coloring and embroidery systems face productivity issues due to the need to stop thread conveyance for maintenance and recovery operations, which disrupts the ejection process.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with multiple ejection heads, where at least one head ejects droplets onto the thread while another head withdraws and performs idle ejection towards a receiver, allowing maintenance without stopping conveyance by moving heads in parallel to the thread direction and using a mechanism for idle ejection control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle array is withdrawn from the thread for maintenance operation, then the nozzles can be cleaned and recovered, but the thread conveyance must be stopped which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle array into multiple independent groups that can be controlled separately. When maintenance is needed for one group, only that specific group is withdrawn, while other groups continue to eject droplets onto the moving thread. This segmentation allows maintenance operations to proceed without completely stopping production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous thread conveyance and continuous droplet ejection by other nozzle groups during maintenance operations. The thread keeps moving through the apparatus, and while one nozzle group is being maintained, other groups continue to perform the useful action of coloring the thread, thus maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If the nozzle array is withdrawn for idle ejection, then the nozzles can be maintained, but the ejection position is lost requiring repositioning time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of multiple nozzle groups, allowing them to independently move between ejection positions and maintenance positions. This dynamic capability enables seamless switching between ejection and maintenance modes without requiring the entire system to stop or reposition completely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs maintenance operations during periods when the thread is not being processed by that particular nozzle group, or when other nozzle groups are handling the ejection task. This preliminary arrangement of having multiple groups allows maintenance to be performed in advance or in parallel, minimizing disruption to the overall process.
3Productivity
If multiple ejection heads are used with parallel movement, then maintenance can occur without stopping conveyance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the multiple nozzle groups to be identical in structure and function, allowing them to interchangeably perform both ejection and maintenance tasks. This universality means that the same hardware components serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for specialized parts and simplifying the overall system architecture despite having multiple heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the ejection and maintenance functions into a single integrated system where multiple nozzle groups share common control mechanisms, support structures, and liquid supply systems. By merging these functions into a coordinated multi-group system rather than separate independent systems, the patent reduces overall complexity while achieving continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of ejection heads, each including a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles, each configured to eject a droplet, are arranged in an array; and an ejection receiver configured to receive the droplet from the plurality of ejection heads. A conveying direction in which an ejection target medium is conveyed and an arrangement direction in which the nozzle array is arranged are parallel to each other, and at a predetermined timing, at least one ejection head among the plurality of ejection heads moves to a position facing the ejection target medium and ejects the droplet toward the ejection target medium, and, simultaneously, a remaining ejection head among the plurality of ejection heads other than the at least one ejection head moves to be withdrawn from the position facing the ejection target medium and ejects the droplet toward the ejection receiver.