Liquid Ejection Waste-Level Estimation with Evaporation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face challenges in accurately estimating the contained amount of waste liquid due to evaporation through atmosphere opening holes, leading to compromised estimation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a control unit that calculates and estimates the waste liquid amount by considering evaporation, using a liquid amount detection unit to detect thresholds and a control unit to perform calculation and estimation processing, including evaporation amount calculation and additional liquid amount addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the waste liquid container is provided with an atmosphere opening hole to increase the contained amount of waste liquid, then the contained amount of waste liquid can be increased, but the estimation accuracy of the contained amount deteriorates due to evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the contained amount of waste liquid and adjusts the estimation by subtracting the calculated evaporation amount from the cumulative additional amount. This feedback mechanism compensates for the evaporation effect, maintaining accurate estimation despite the atmosphere opening hole that enables increased containment capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the estimation parameter from a simple cumulative sum to a dynamic calculation that incorporates evaporation amount as a variable. By introducing the evaporation parameter into the estimation formula, the system accurately tracks the actual contained amount even when evaporation occurs through the atmosphere opening hole.
2Device complexity
If the contained amount of waste liquid is estimated based on additional amount without considering evaporation, then the calculation is simple, but the estimation accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit automatically performs the evaporation amount calculation and subtraction from the cumulative additional amount without requiring external intervention. The system self-corrects the estimation by incorporating evaporation data, maintaining accuracy while keeping the operation automated and simple for the user.
3Device complexity
If notification is issued based on simple cumulative amount without evaporation consideration, then the control function is simple, but the reliability of threshold recognition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the liquid amount detection unit to verify whether the estimated contained amount (cumulative additional amount minus evaporation amount) has reached the threshold. This feedback loop ensures reliable threshold recognition by continuously comparing the corrected estimation with the threshold value, maintaining both simplicity and reliability in the notification function.
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
Improves the estimation accuracy of waste liquid containment by accounting for evaporation, ensuring reliable recognition of threshold levels and timely replacement of waste liquid containers.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporation of the waste liquid can be promoted through the atmosphere opening hole
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection unit configured to eject liquid and a control unit. The control unit executes calculation processing of calculating an evaporation amount of waste liquid by which the waste liquid evaporates from a waste liquid container provided with an atmosphere opening hole, and estimation processing of estimating a contained amount of the waste liquid contained in the waste liquid container, based on an additional amount of the waste liquid by which the liquid ejected by the liquid ejection unit is added to the waste liquid container as the waste liquid and a result in the calculation processing.