Liquid Ejection Nozzle Distance Control via Positional Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses face throughput degradation due to inappropriate distance adjustment between the nozzle surface and the ejection target, leading to potential damage and reduced performance when the ejection target comes into contact with the nozzle surface, especially at varying positions in the conveyance path.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus equipped with a distance sensor and a controller that adjusts the determination conditions and coefficients based on positional information to prevent contact between the ejection target and the nozzle surface, thereby optimizing the ejection process and maintaining throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If distance detection and adjustment processing is performed for all positions in the conveyance path, then nozzle damage prevention is improved, but throughput is degraded due to unnecessary processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the determination condition for distance detection variable based on the ejection target's position in the conveyance path. Specifically, the threshold value for determining whether to perform distance detection is adjusted according to position: a first (stricter) determination condition is applied at positions where contact risk is high, while a second (more lenient) condition is applied at positions where contact risk is low. This resolves the contradiction by applying processing only where necessary, preventing nozzle damage at critical positions while maintaining throughput at non-critical positions.
2Device complexity
If a fixed determination condition is used for distance detection, then processing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different positions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the determination condition dynamic rather than fixed. The controller changes the determination condition based on the detected position of the ejection target in the conveyance path. When the target is at a first position (higher contact risk), a first determination condition is used; when at a second position (lower contact risk), a second determination condition is used. This resolves the contradiction by providing position-based adaptability while maintaining relatively simple processing through automated conditional logic.
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
The solution effectively suppresses throughput degradation by accurately determining the necessary adjustments based on the ejection target's position, reducing the risk of nozzle damage and ensuring consistent performance during image recording.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor configured to output a distance signal that changes depending on a distance between the nozzle surface and a surface of the ejection target
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyer conveys an ejection target in a conveyance direction along a conveyance path including a facing position facing a nozzle surface of a liquid ejection head. A distance sensor outputs a distance signal that changes depending on a distance between the nozzle surface and a surface of the ejection target. A controller performs: receiving the distance signal outputted from the distance sensor and positional information relating to a position of the ejection target on the conveyance path; and during ejecting liquid from the nozzle to record an image on the ejection target, changing at least one of a determination condition and a coefficient based on the positional information, the determination condition being a condition for determining whether to interrupt recording of the image by referring to the distance signal, the coefficient being multiplied by a value of the distance signal when determining whether to interrupt recording.