Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Vibration Detection for Filter Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as printers, require additional sensors to detect clogging in expendable items like filters, leading to an increase in the number of components and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a maintenance unit and an ejection state detecting unit capable of detecting vibration waveforms in a pressure chamber, allowing for the determination of malfunction or clogging without additional sensors, by comparing changes in the state inside the pressure chamber before and after maintenance operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow sensors and temperature sensors are provided to detect clogging of a filter, then the detection accuracy of clogging is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration detection unit, originally designed for detecting nozzle clogging, is made multi-functional by using it to detect both nozzle clogging and filter clogging. The same sensor system and vibration analysis methodology are applied to monitor the filter's clogging state by detecting changes in the pressure chamber's vibration characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for filter monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing vibration detection infrastructure to monitor the filter's condition. By analyzing the vibration waveform of the pressure chamber during actuator operation, the system self-diagnoses filter clogging without requiring external or additional sensing components, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving comprehensive monitoring.
2Reliability
If dedicated sensors are provided for detecting expendable item malfunction, then the reliability of malfunction detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration detection unit is designed to perform multiple detection functions using the same hardware infrastructure. It detects both nozzle clogging and filter clogging by analyzing vibration waveform changes in the pressure chamber, thereby providing reliable malfunction detection for multiple components without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the vibration waveform of the pressure chamber and compares it against reference values or historical data to detect deviations indicating clogging. This feedback mechanism enables reliable real-time detection of both nozzle and filter conditions using the same sensing system.
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 the number of components needed and effectively detects malfunctions or clogging in expendable items, enabling timely replacement and maintaining apparatus performance.
Implementation Method 1
when an actuator is driven to cause a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle to vibrate, detects a vibration waveform of the vibrating pressure chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting unit that ejects a liquid supplied through a liquid supply path from a nozzle; a maintenance unit that performs a maintenance operation of the liquid ejecting unit; and an ejection state detecting unit that is able to detect a state inside a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle. The ejection state detecting unit detects a state inside the pressure chamber before the maintenance operation and at least one state inside the pressure chamber during the maintenance operation or after the maintenance operation, and is able to determine malfunction of at least one of the maintenance unit and function units arranged in the liquid supply path based on a change in a state inside the pressure chamber due to the maintenance operation.