Nozzle Ejection Determination via Dual Pulse Thermal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording devices with liquid ejection heads face challenges in accurately determining the ejection state of nozzles due to increased time required for processing as the number of heaters (nozzles) increases, leading to inconsistent environmental conditions between pulse inputs, which affects the accuracy of ejection determination.
Innovation Solution
A recording device configuration that includes a liquid ejection head with a processor and memory, where a first drive signal and a second drive signal are consecutively applied to a heater corresponding to a nozzle to be determined, and the ejection state is determined based on the change rate of the temperature sensor output for both signals, with no drive signal applied to other nozzles during the interval between the signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a first pulse and a second pulse are applied to heaters in sequence for all nozzles (prior art method), then complete ejection determination can be performed, but the interval between pulses for the same nozzle becomes very long, causing environmental conditions to change and reducing determination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ejection determination process into two distinct phases: a first processing phase where a first pulse is applied to all heaters, and a second processing phase where a second pulse is applied to all heaters. By segmenting the process and completing all first pulse measurements before starting second pulse measurements, the interval between pulses for any given nozzle is minimized to just the time required for one complete processing cycle, rather than the sum of all processing cycles. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining determination accuracy while reducing the time interval between pulses.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of heaters (nozzles) in the liquid ejection head increases, then more nozzles can be monitored, but the time required for processing increases, leading to longer intervals between pulses and reduced determination accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by applying pulses to all heaters in sequence without idle time between processing cycles. The first processing phase continuously applies first pulses to all heaters, and immediately follows with the second processing phase that continuously applies second pulses to all heaters. This eliminates wasted time between cycles and ensures that the processing time scales linearly with the number of nozzles rather than quadratically, resolving the contradiction between monitoring more nozzles and maintaining short pulse intervals.
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
This approach allows for accurate and efficient determination of the ejection state of each nozzle, reducing the interval between signal applications and minimizing environmental changes, thereby enhancing the reliability of the ejection determination process.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection head having a heater, which generates thermal energy to eject ink
Implementation Method 2
a heater heating the liquid disposed corresponding to the plurality of nozzles respectively
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor disposed for each nozzle, and the ejection state of the nozzle is determined based on the temperature change of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a recording device including a driving unit of heaters; and temperature sensors disposed corresponding to the heaters respectively. A first drive signal and a second drive signal, of which heating of the heater is different from the first drive signal, are consecutively applied to a heater corresponding to a nozzle to be determined. Whether the nozzle to be determined is in a state of normally ejecting the liquid is determined based on a change rate of an output of the temperature sensor corresponding to the nozzle to be determined acquired when applying the first drive signal and a change rate thereof acquired when applying the second drive signal. During an interval between the first drive signal and the second drive signal, a drive signal is not applied to heaters corresponding to the nozzles other than the nozzle to be determined.