Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Dual Container Switching Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face clogging issues due to settling ingredients in the ejecting head and channel, which cannot be completely prevented by existing cleaning liquid techniques, especially when the cleaning liquid supply is insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a dual container system, a switching unit, a remaining amount detecting unit, and a prohibiting unit to ensure that the ejecting head is supplied with a second liquid to maintain ejectability, and only switches to the first liquid when the second liquid's amount is sufficient, preventing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning liquid is ejected from the ejecting nozzle to prevent clogging, then clogging in the ejecting head and channel is reduced, but the cleaning liquid may become insufficient to complete the cleaning task
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is segmented into two separate containers: a first container for cleaning liquid and a second container for maintenance liquid. This segmentation allows the maintenance liquid to be specifically dedicated to preventing clogging during idle periods, ensuring sufficient quantity is always available for this critical function without competing with other liquid needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A switching unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls which container communicates with the ejecting head. It switches between the first container (cleaning liquid) and the second container (maintenance liquid) based on operational needs, ensuring that the maintenance liquid is properly supplied to prevent clogging while allowing adequate quantity management for each liquid type.
2Reliability
If the ejecting head is switched to use cleaning liquid to avoid clogging, then liquid ejection failure is prevented, but the switching operation cannot be performed when cleaning liquid is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A remaining amount detecting unit provides feedback on the quantity of maintenance liquid remaining in the second container. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor liquid levels and prevent switching operations when the maintenance liquid is insufficient, thereby maintaining liquid ejection reliability while managing operational constraints through informed decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checking of the maintenance liquid amount before allowing switching operations. By detecting the remaining amount in advance and prohibiting switching when insufficient, the system ensures that clogging prevention can be effectively carried out without the risk of insufficient liquid, thereby maintaining operational reliability.
3Reliability
If a dual container system with switching unit is implemented to ensure sufficient maintenance liquid supply, then clogging prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second container containing maintenance liquid serves multiple functions: it provides liquid for preventing clogging during idle periods, and can be switched to when cleaning is needed. This multi-functionality justifies the additional container by making it a versatile component that contributes to reliability without being purely redundant.
Solution Approach 2:
The remaining amount detecting unit automatically monitors the maintenance liquid level and the switching unit automatically switches between containers based on detected conditions. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual intervention and complex control mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from an ejecting nozzle provided in an ejecting head includes a first container that contains a first liquid and a second container that contains a second liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a channel that selectively communicates with either the first or second container to supply the liquid contained therein to the ejecting head, a switching unit that performs a switching operation of switching between a first communicating state in which the channel communicates with the first container and a second communicating state in which the channel communicates with the second container. In addition, if the remaining amount of the second liquid contained in the second container is less than a predetermined value, prohibits the switching unit from performing the switching operation of switching from the second communicating state to the first communicating state.