Liquid Ejecting Device Three-Sensor Space Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting devices face challenges in accurately detecting and adjusting the space between the recording head and the medium, which affects image formation accuracy, as they often rely on single sensors to determine if the space is too wide or too narrow, leading to inefficiencies in image formation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a third sensor positioned between the first and second sensors in the ejection direction, along with a control unit that adjusts the space and ejection timing based on detection results, ensures high-accuracy detection and automatic adjustment of the space between the ejecting unit and the medium, preventing errors in image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two detectors are used to detect whether the space is too wide or too narrow, then the detection capability is improved, but the measurement precision is insufficient for high-accuracy image formation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented into three independent sensors positioned at different locations in the ejection direction. Each sensor detects a specific region (too narrow, appropriate, or too wide), and the control unit integrates these segmented detection results to determine the overall space condition, achieving both comprehensive coverage and high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system transitions from a two-point detection approach to a three-point detection approach by adding sensors at different positions along the ejection direction. This dimensional expansion in the detection layout enables more precise measurement of the space between the ejecting unit and medium
2Device complexity
If manual space adjustment is performed, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and image formation accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives detection results from the three sensors and automatically adjusts the space between the ejecting unit and medium based on this feedback. The system continuously monitors the space condition and makes real-time adjustments without manual intervention, improving productivity while maintaining simple operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the ejection space based on sensor feedback. The control unit automatically determines whether the space is appropriate, too narrow, or too wide and adjusts accordingly, enabling the device to service itself without requiring operator intervention for space calibration
3Ease of operation
If the space is not accurately controlled, then the device operation is simple, but the image formation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical adjustment of space is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensor detection and electronic control to adjust the ejection space. This substitution maintains ease of operation while achieving high precision through automated feedback control
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a liquid ejecting device (1) including a support portion (3) configured to support a medium, an ejecting unit (7) configured to eject liquid, a detector (11) including a plurality of sensors, and a control unit configured to determine, based on a detection result from the detector, a first space being a space between the ejecting unit and the medium. The plurality of sensors includes a first sensor, a second sensor provided downstream of the first sensor in an ejection direction, and a third sensor provided at a position between the first sensor and the second sensor in the ejection direction. The control unit determines that the first space is in an error state when the first sensor detects the medium, and determines the first space based on a detection result of the medium when the first sensor does not detect the medium but at least one of the second sensor and the third sensor detects the medium.