Print Agent Drop Weight and Velocity Measurement for Nozzle Kogation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining nozzle performance and ink consumption due to kogation, leading to potential image quality issues and incorrect reserve estimates, as they struggle to differentiate between healthy and partially blocked nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving drop detection and processing circuitry to determine the weight and velocity of ink drops, allowing for the calculation of performance parameters and correction factors, which helps identify nozzle health and adjust print agent consumption accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional drop detection methods are used, then nozzle functionality can be detected, but measurement precision is insufficient to differentiate between healthy and partially blocked nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures multiple parameters of the print agent drop including weight, velocity, and trajectory deviations. By analyzing changes in these parameters compared to expected values, the system can precisely differentiate between healthy nozzles and those affected by kogation or partial blockages, thereby improving both measurement precision and identification reliability.
2Measurement precision
If ink consumption is estimated without weight parameters, then print operations can proceed, but accuracy of reserve estimates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual weight and velocity of printed drops and compares them against expected values. This feedback mechanism allows the system to track actual ink consumption accurately and adjust reserve estimates accordingly, preventing both overestimation and underestimation of remaining ink supplies.
3Productivity
If kogation is not detected, then print operations continue uninterrupted, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of kogation by measuring drop weight and velocity parameters before they cause significant image quality degradation. When deviations indicating kogation are detected, the system can trigger cleaning operations or adjust printing parameters proactively, maintaining image quality while minimizing interruptions to print operations.
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 enables precise monitoring of nozzle performance and ink usage, improving image quality by identifying and addressing kogation, and providing accurate reserve estimates, thus optimizing print operations.
Implementation Method 1
determining an indication of a velocity of the ejected print agent drop
Implementation Method 2
the heavier the drop, the higher the momentum and therefore the more quickly the ink drop falls
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method includes ejecting a print agent drop from a printhead, and determining an indication of velocity of the print agent drop. A weight parameter of the print agent drop may be determined from the indication of velocity.