Nozzle Testing Temperature Control Ink Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with erroneous nozzle determination leading to unnecessary ink discharge and potential waste, as existing methods lack effective environmental control for nozzle testing and liquid discharge.
Innovation Solution
A printing device or discharge test device equipped with a temperature obtaining section, a missing-dot detecting section, and a control section that adjusts nozzle operation based on temperature ranges to prevent erroneous determinations, ensuring appropriate control over nozzle testing and liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nozzle testing is performed without temperature control, then nozzle discharge can be detected, but erroneous determination occurs leading to unnecessary ink discharge and waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature parameter of the head to within a specific range before performing nozzle discharge detection. This ensures that the liquid viscosity is appropriate for accurate detection, preventing erroneous determination and unnecessary ink discharge due to temperature-induced viscosity changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing temperature verification before conducting the nozzle discharge test. The control section checks whether the head temperature is within the predetermined range and only proceeds with the discharge test when the temperature condition is satisfied, thereby avoiding false results that would lead to ink waste.
2Productivity
If nozzle testing is performed at inappropriate temperatures, then the test can be executed, but false determination occurs causing unnecessary restore operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the temperature parameter of the head within a predetermined range before performing discharge tests. This parameter control ensures that liquid viscosity remains within acceptable limits for accurate nozzle discharge detection, thereby maintaining both testing efficiency and determination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the control section continuously monitor the head temperature and compare it against the predetermined range. Based on this feedback, the system decides whether to proceed with the discharge test or postpone it, ensuring reliable determination without compromising testing efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If temperature control is implemented for nozzle testing, then determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by utilizing the head's own temperature characteristics and the natural relationship between temperature and liquid viscosity. The control section simply monitors whether the temperature is within the predetermined range and adjusts testing accordingly, without requiring complex external temperature control mechanisms, thus improving accuracy while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device or discharge test device comprising a head that includes a nozzle discharging liquid to a medium, a temperature obtaining section that obtains a temperature related to the head, a missing-dot detecting section that detects whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, and a control section that controls the head and the missing-dot detecting section. When the temperature obtained is within a first temperature range, the head is configured to discharge the liquid to the medium and whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle is detected. No such detection is made at other temperatures. When the temperature obtained is outside the first temperature range and within a second temperature range, the head is configured to discharge the liquid to the medium, and when the temperature obtained is outside the second temperature range, the liquid is not discharged to the medium.