Vibration-Based Liquid Ejection Unit Inspection Without Printing Liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejection apparatuses require filling ejection units with printing liquid for inspection, leading to unnecessary consumption and increased costs due to liquid usage outside image formation purposes.

Innovation Solution

A method for inspecting ejection units in a liquid ejection apparatus by generating rank information based on vibration detection, using a first liquid for classification and a second liquid for inspection, without the need for printing liquid during shipment or image formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ejection units are filled with printing liquid for inspection, then inspection accuracy is improved, but printing liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection accuracyVSAvoidprinting liquid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a substitute liquid as an intermediary substance to perform inspection functions. This substitute liquid acts as a mediator between the inspection process and the ejection units, allowing vibration-based inspection to be conducted without using valuable printing liquid, thereby reducing consumption while maintaining inspection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the inspection process that uses substitute liquid instead of printing liquid. By copying the essential inspection function (vibration detection) and implementing it with a substitute substance, the system achieves the same inspection purpose without consuming the original printing liquid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If ejection units are filled with printing liquid before product shipment, then ejection unit classification is improved, but printing liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection unit classification accuracyVSAvoidprinting liquid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The substitute liquid serves as an intermediary during the classification process before product shipment. It enables vibration-based classification of ejection units without requiring actual printing liquid, allowing manufacturers to perform quality classification while avoiding unnecessary printing liquid consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary classification action using substitute liquid before the actual product shipment. By completing the classification process in advance with a substitute substance, the system ensures ejection units are properly categorized without consuming printing liquid that would otherwise be wasted during pre-shipment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If printing liquid is used for inspection outside image formation, then ejection unit inspection is improved, but printing liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection unit inspection reliabilityVSAvoidprinting liquid consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The substitute liquid acts as an intermediary that enables inspection reliability without consuming printing liquid. It provides the necessary medium for vibration detection and ejection unit assessment, maintaining inspection reliability while eliminating the need to use valuable printing liquid for non-image-formation purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces printing liquid consumption by allowing inspection without filling ejection units with printing liquid, thereby minimizing waste and costs.

Implementation Method 1

each of the ejection units includes a piezoelectric element, and a vibration detection section configured to detect vibration generated in the ejection unit when the piezoelectric element is driven

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250303691A1Liquid ejection apparatus and method of inspecting same

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejection apparatus includes a plurality of ejection units configured to eject the liquid with which the plurality of ejection units is filled, a generation section configured to generate first rank information based on a detection result of a vibration generated in a first ejection unit out of the plurality of ejection units in a state where the first ejection unit is filled with a first liquid, and an inspection section configured to inspect the first ejection unit based on a detection result of a vibration generated in the first ejection unit in a state where the first ejection unit is filled with a second liquid, and the first rank information wherein the first rank information represents a rank to which the first ejection unit belongs when classifying the plurality of ejection units into a plurality of ranks based on vibration characteristics of the plurality of ejection units.