Piezoelectric Film Sensor Skirt for Liquid Discharging Contact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharging apparatuses face low detection accuracy for contact between the recording medium and the liquid discharging unit, leading to potential damage to either component due to incorrect contact detection.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus equipped with a piezoelectric film sensor on a sensor adhering plate with a slit around its periphery, allowing for enhanced deformation and sensitivity in detecting contact, and a control unit to manage the liquid discharging and transport units based on sensor output, thereby preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical detection device or mechanical detection device is used to detect contact between the recording medium and the liquid discharging unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of contact detection becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sensor adhering plate with a thin film structure that can deform when the recording medium contacts the liquid discharging unit. This flexible membrane design allows the sensor to directly detect contact forces through its deformation, achieving high measurement precision without complex mechanical or optical detection systems. The thin film nature of the sensor adhering plate enables it to respond sensitively to contact while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor adhering plate is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the stability of the object's composition is improved, but the detection sensitivity to contact decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor adhering plate incorporates local quality variations through its structural design, where specific regions have different stiffness characteristics. The plate is designed to be flexible in the contact detection region to maximize sensitivity, while maintaining adequate stability in non-critical areas. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows the sensor to achieve high contact detection sensitivity without compromising overall structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor adhering plate utilizes dynamic characteristics by allowing controlled deformation in response to contact forces. Rather than being completely rigid, the plate dynamically responds to contact events through elastic deformation, enabling it to detect contact sensitivity while returning to its original position after contact, thus maintaining both sensitivity and stability.
3Measurement precision
If the adhering surface is made to deform easily to increase detection sensitivity, then the measurement precision is improved, but the adhering surface may deform beyond the limit and cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor adhering plate design incorporates inherent structural features that prevent excessive deformation before it can cause damage. The plate's geometry, material selection, and mounting configuration are designed to limit the maximum deformation to safe levels while still allowing sufficient deformation for sensitive contact detection. This beforehand cushioning approach ensures the sensor remains within its elastic deformation range and avoids permanent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the physical parameters of the sensor adhering plate, including its thickness, material properties, and geometric dimensions, to achieve the right balance between sensitivity and durability. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the plate can deform sufficiently to detect contact with high sensitivity while remaining robust enough to withstand repeated contact events without damage.
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
The solution significantly improves the detection accuracy of contact between the recording medium and the liquid discharging unit, effectively preventing damage by facilitating deformation and regulating maximum deformation of the adhering surface, ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric film sensor adhered to an adhering surface of the sensor adhering plate and configured to generate an output in accordance with a degree of deformation of the adhering surface
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging apparatus enhances a detection accuracy of a contact state when a recording medium and a liquid discharging unit come into contact, and suppresses contact between the recording medium and the liquid discharging unit, which may cause damage. The liquid discharging apparatus includes a transport unit, a liquid discharging unit, a skirt provided to the liquid discharging unit in a position that faces the recording medium transported to the recording region, a piezoelectric film sensor adhered to an adhering surface of the skirt and configured to generate an output in accordance with a degree of deformation of the adhering surface, and a control unit configured to control the liquid discharging unit and/or the transport unit on the basis of the output of the piezoelectric film sensor. The adhering surface of the skirt includes a slit formed around the periphery thereof.