Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Micro Vibration Control for Ink Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face issues with viscosity increases due to moisture evaporation, leading to inefficient flushing operations and ink consumption, especially when high micro vibration is applied unnecessarily for short print jobs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with piezoelectric elements and a driving circuit that generates micro vibration pulses, allowing the strength of micro vibration to be adjusted based on the print job, operating in multiple modes to optimize ink ejection and reduce viscosity-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high strength micro vibration is applied to reduce liquid viscosity, then the liquid viscosity is reduced effectively, but the ink is dispersed in a large range in the pressure chamber and a large amount of liquid is required for flushing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control of micro vibration strength based on print operation duration. The control unit adjusts the micro vibration strength to be higher when print operation is prolonged (causing viscosity increase) and lower when print operation is short, thereby adapting the vibration strength to the actual viscosity state without excessive ink dispersion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of micro vibration strength dynamically based on print operation time. By monitoring the duration of print operations and adjusting the micro vibration strength accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between viscosity reduction effectiveness and ink consumption control
2Stability of the object's composition
If micro vibration is applied continuously regardless of print job duration, then viscosity is controlled, but ink is unnecessarily dispersed for short print jobs reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts micro vibration application based on print job duration detection. The control unit determines whether to apply micro vibration by comparing actual print operation time against predetermined thresholds, enabling selective vibration application that maintains viscosity control while avoiding unnecessary operations for short print jobs
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors its own operation state (print job duration) and automatically adjusts micro vibration application accordingly. The control unit detects the print operation time and self-regulates the micro vibration strength without external intervention, optimizing both viscosity control and operational 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 approach reduces ink consumption and maintains print quality by adjusting micro vibration strength according to the print job, minimizing unnecessary ink ejection and extending the time before viscosity-related ejection limits are reached.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric elements corresponding to the nozzles, and driving circuits configured to supply a micro vibration pulse for generating micro vibration in the liquid included in the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus executing a print operation of ejecting liquid to a medium when a print job is input includes nozzles configured to eject liquid, piezoelectric elements corresponding to the nozzles, and driving circuits configured to supply a micro vibration pulse for generating micro vibration in the liquid included in the nozzles without ejection of the liquid from the nozzles to the piezoelectric elements. Strength of the micro vibration generated by the micro vibration pulse varies based on the print job.