Print Head Non-Volatile Memory for Condition Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusing print heads in liquid ejecting apparatuses poses challenges due to the difficulty in visually confirming the state of the ejecting portion and the varying degree of deterioration, which can lead to inadequate recognition of the print head's condition, potentially resulting in reduced ink ejection characteristics and shortened service life.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrically erasable non-volatile memory in the print head to store history information related to its operation state, such as cumulative printing surface count, elapsed time, error occurrences, and maintenance processes, allowing for optimal maintenance and refurbishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is used to assess print head condition, then simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately determine ejecting portion state
Solution Approach 1:
A non-volatile memory device is introduced as an intermediary between the print head's operational state and the assessment process. The memory stores history information (cumulative printing surface count, elapsed time, error occurrences, maintenance records) that objectively reflects the print head's condition, replacing subjective visual inspection with data-driven assessment.
2Reliability
If print head reuse is encouraged for environmental benefits, then loss of substance is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to varying deterioration degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory provides feedback about the print head's operational history and condition state. This feedback enables informed decisions about whether a used print head is suitable for refurbishment and reuse, ensuring that only print heads meeting certain criteria are recycled, thereby maintaining reliability while maximizing waste reduction.
3Loss of information
If detailed history tracking is implemented, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional memory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory device serves multiple functions: storing cumulative printing surface count, elapsed time, error occurrences, and maintenance records. This single component handles all history tracking requirements, avoiding the need for separate sensors and storage devices for each parameter, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A print head assembled to a liquid ejecting apparatus ejecting a liquid with respect to a medium includes an ejecting portion ejecting the liquid in response to a drive signal and an electrically erasable non-volatile memory, and the non-volatile memory stores history information changing in accordance with an operation state of the print head.