Liquid Supply Apparatus Ink Consumption Decentralization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supply systems for printing apparatuses face limitations in printing speed due to the need for serial communication and synchronization of dot count values across multiple ink colors, leading to inefficiencies in calculating and updating ink consumption amounts.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supply apparatus with a first controller for non-printing operations and a second controller for printing operations, which calculates and stores consumption amounts independently, using a liquid feeding mechanism and memory to manage ink supply and consumption, reducing the need for frequent communication with the printing apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple print units independently calculate and transmit dot count values through a serial communication interface, then each print unit can track ink consumption accurately, but the printing speed is limited due to sequential transmission and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ink consumption management system into separate functional modules: each print unit independently calculates its own dot count values for different ink colors, and each ink tank unit independently stores and manages its own consumption data. This segmentation eliminates the need for centralized sequential processing, allowing parallel operation of multiple print units without communication bottlenecks, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and printing speed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If dot count values are transmitted and processed sequentially through a serial communication interface, then data consistency is maintained, but time is lost due to waiting for transmission and reflection of each value
Solution Approach 1:
Each print unit performs preliminary calculation of dot count values locally and stores them temporarily before transmission. The ink tank units also maintain local storage of consumption data independently. This preliminary action allows data to be prepared and staged in advance, reducing the need for frequent real-time communication and processing during printing operations, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining data consistency through periodic synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid supply apparatus includes a liquid storage container including a memory, a liquid feeding mechanism that feeds out liquid to the print head, and a second controller. A first liquid consumption amount is a consumption amount of liquid consumed in a non-printing operation in which liquid is not discharged from the print head to a recording medium, and a second liquid consumption amount is a consumption amount of liquid consumed in a printing operation in which liquid is discharged from the print head to the recording medium. The second controller calculates the second liquid consumption amount based on a liquid feeding amount of liquid fed out from the liquid feeding mechanism in a printing operation, stores the second liquid consumption amount in the memory, receives the first liquid consumption amount from the first controller, and stores the first liquid consumption amount in the memory.