Liquid Ejecting Device Non-Ejection Drive Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet ejecting technologies lack a defined non-ejection drive time, leading to delays in high-speed recording processes as the non-ejection drive time can be longer than necessary, thereby postponing the start of the next recording process.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting device with a controller that switches a cap between capping and non-capping states, sets a non-ejection drive time based on the uncapped time duration, and vibrates the meniscus of liquid in the nozzles without ejecting ink during this time to prevent unnecessary delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-ejection driving process is executed to vibrate the liquid meniscus while the cap is in the capping state, then the liquid thickening in the nozzles is suppressed, but the recording speed is reduced due to prolonged non-ejection drive time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the non-ejection drive time variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the non-ejection drive time based on the actual uncapped time duration, temperature, and humidity conditions. This allows the system to optimize the balance between suppressing liquid thickening and maintaining recording speed, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Reliability
If a fixed non-ejection drive time is used regardless of uncapped time, then the liquid thickening is consistently suppressed, but unnecessary delays occur when the uncapped time is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the non-ejection drive time a variable parameter that changes based on uncapped time duration, temperature, and humidity. Instead of using a fixed time value, the controller adjusts the non-ejection drive time parameter dynamically to match the actual conditions, thereby avoiding unnecessary time loss while ensuring adequate liquid vibration for thickening suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using the measured uncapped time duration, temperature, and humidity as input parameters to determine the appropriate non-ejection drive time. The controller receives feedback about the actual operating conditions and adjusts the non-ejection drive time accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes both liquid ejection performance and time efficiency.
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 configuration allows for high-speed recording by avoiding prolonged non-ejection drive times, ensuring the next recording process can start promptly without unnecessary vibration of the liquid meniscus, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator is driven to generate micro-vibrations that vibrate pressure chambers to a degree that does not eject liquid from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting device includes a head, a cap, a moving mechanism and a controller. The moving mechanism is configured to move the head and the cap relative to each other to switch the cap between a capping state in which the cap is in contact with the head and covers the plurality of nozzles and a non-capping state in which the cap is separated from the head and uncovers the same. The controller is configured to perform setting a non-ejection drive time based on an uncapped time duration which is a length of time from a timing at which the cap is switched to the non-capping state until a timing at which the cap is switched back to the capping state. The controller is configured to perform vibrating meniscus of liquid in the plurality of nozzles during the non-ejection drive time.