Needle Insertion Order Optimization for Liquid Discharge Apparatus Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in managing the varying loads received by liquid supply needles of different characteristics, such as thickness and tip shape, which complicates maintaining a low total load when these needles penetrate or insert into rubber membranes of liquid cartridges.
Innovation Solution
The design involves configuring each needle and sealing member set to produce distinct peak and steady loads, with needles inserted in a specific order to minimize the total load, where the steady load is less than the peak load, and the order of insertion is optimized to distribute the greatest load across needles to keep the total load equal to or less than the maximum load of the predetermined order.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple needles of different characteristics (thickness, tip shape) are used to penetrate sealing members, then the liquid supply function is improved, but the total load on the needle moving mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the insertion order of needles based on their individual characteristics (thickness, tip shape, penetration force requirements). The control unit calculates and stores the optimal sequence before operation, so that during actual liquid supply, the needles are inserted in the pre-optimized order that minimizes peak load on the moving mechanism while ensuring all needles penetrate their respective sealing members effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the needle insertion process adaptive and sequential rather than simultaneous. The system dynamically adjusts the insertion timing and order based on each needle's characteristics, allowing the load to be distributed over time rather than concentrated at once. This dynamic sequencing reduces the maximum load requirement for the needle moving mechanism.
2Device complexity
If all needles are inserted into sealing members simultaneously, then the liquid supply process is simplified, but the peak load on the needle moving mechanism becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the simultaneous needle insertion action into sequential steps. Instead of all needles penetrating at once, the control unit manages them in groups or individually based on their characteristics. This segmentation of the insertion process reduces the peak load at any given moment while the overall process remains automated and simplified through control unit management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by inserting needles at different time intervals rather than simultaneously. The control unit schedules each needle insertion with appropriate timing, creating a periodic or sequential action pattern. This temporal distribution of insertion events reduces the peak load on the mechanism while maintaining complete liquid supply functionality.
3Device complexity
If needles are inserted in arbitrary order, then the control process is simplified, but the maximum total load cannot be minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the optimal insertion order for each needle based on its characteristics. The control unit prepares the sequence in advance, so during operation it simply executes the predetermined order. This preliminary preparation minimizes the maximum total load while keeping the actual control process simple and automated.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid cartridge and an apparatus main body. The apparatus main body includes needles that are configured to receive peak loads at predetermined intervals in a predetermined order. A greatest load associated with the predetermined order is less than a greatest load associated with each of all others of a plurality of unique orders, the greatest load associated with each unique order corresponding to a greater of the peak load received by a needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order and a sum load of the peak load received by a needle receiving the peak load after the needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order and the steady load received by a needle receiving the peak load before the needle receiving the peak load after the needle receiving the peak load first in each unique order.