Liquid Ejection Head Circulation Timing to Prevent Thickening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thickening of liquid due to solvent evaporation in liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, leads to a decrease in ejection property, despite existing circulation and minute vibration operations.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with a piezoelectric element, a circulation control section, and a minute vibration control section that controls the timing of these operations to prevent thickening, using a first waveform to manage liquid vibration and circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circulation operation and minute vibration operation are performed to prevent liquid thickening, then ejection property is improved, but the operations may be performed simultaneously causing inefficient use of time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially executing the circulation operation and minute vibration operation rather than simultaneously. The circulation operation is performed first to circulate liquid through the flow path, followed by the minute vibration operation to prevent thickening. This sequential periodic execution reduces energy consumption compared to simultaneous operation while maintaining ejection property.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the circulation operation before the minute vibration operation. The circulation operation prepares the liquid flow path in advance, and then the minute vibration operation is applied to prevent thickening. This preliminary sequencing optimizes the order of operations to prevent liquid thickening effectively while reducing overall energy consumption.
2Reliability
If circulation operation and minute vibration operation are performed simultaneously, then liquid thickening is addressed, but time efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to sequentially execute operations instead of simultaneously. The circulation operation is performed first, followed by the minute vibration operation. This sequential periodic execution reduces the total time required compared to simultaneous operation while maintaining effective prevention of liquid thickening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the circulation operation before the minute vibration operation. This preliminary sequencing ensures that the liquid flow path is prepared first, then the vibration operation prevents thickening. The sequential approach reduces operation time compared to simultaneous execution while maintaining ejection property.
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
Enhances ejection performance by preventing liquid thickening, ensuring consistent and effective ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric element that is driven in response to supply of a drive signal, a first nozzle that ejects liquid by means of a pressure that is applied when the first piezoelectric element is driven
Implementation Method 2
a circulation control section that controls a circulation operation of circulating the liquid in the first individual flow path
Implementation Method 3
a minute vibration control section that supplies a drive signal having a first waveform to the first piezoelectric element so as to control a minute vibration operation of causing the liquid in the first nozzle to vibrate
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a circulation control section that controls a circulation operation of circulating the liquid in the first individual flow path, and a minute vibration control section that supplies a drive signal having a first waveform to the first piezoelectric element so as to control a minute vibration operation of causing the liquid in the first nozzle to vibrate to such a degree that the liquid is not ejected from the first nozzle. The circulation control section starts the circulation operation at a first time, and the minute vibration control section starts the minute vibration operation at a second time later than the first time.