Print Head Selective Flushing for Ink Sedimentation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink sedimentation in print heads can lead to unstable ejection and inefficient removal of deposited ink, particularly in cases of significant sedimentation, affecting print quality.

Innovation Solution

A print device with a nozzle arrangement and liquid passages interconnected via a communication path, where selective flushing operations are performed by ejecting liquid from specific nozzles while stopping ejection from others, controlled by a processor to determine elapsed time and repeat the process for a set number of times to maintain ink fluidity and prevent sedimentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If all nozzles are caused to perform ejection to remove deposited ink, then the ink removal efficiency may be improved, but the ejection stability deteriorates and print quality is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink removal efficiencyVSAvoidejection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the nozzle array into multiple sections and performs flushing operations on different sections at different timings. This segmentation allows the system to flush ink from specific sections without affecting the stability of other sections, thereby maintaining ejection stability while improving overall ink removal efficiency through coordinated section-based flushing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If flushing is performed frequently to maintain ink fluidity, then sedimentation is reduced, but the time consumption and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink fluidityVSAvoidflushing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic flushing operations where the controller determines elapsed time from the previous flushing operation and performs flushing only when necessary (when elapsed time exceeds a threshold). This periodic action maintains ink fluidity and prevents sedimentation while avoiding unnecessary frequent flushing, thereby reducing time consumption and resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If selective flushing is performed on specific nozzle sections, then ejection stability is maintained, but the completeness of ink removal may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection stabilityVSAvoidink removal completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the nozzle array into multiple sections and performs flushing operations on different sections at different timings. By coordinating these segmented flushing operations, the system achieves both ejection stability (by not disrupting all nozzles simultaneously) and complete ink removal (by systematically flushing all sections over time).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous monitoring and coordinated flushing across multiple sections. The controller continuously determines elapsed time and coordinates flushing operations across different nozzle sections, ensuring that ink removal is completed thoroughly while maintaining stability. The systematic progression through different sections ensures continuous useful action without interruption to overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 effectively reduces the possibility of print quality deterioration by ensuring stable ink ejection and efficient removal of sedimented ink, maintaining ink fluidity and preventing clogging.

Implementation Method 1

a set of liquid passages provided to supply the liquid to the nozzle arrangement, the set of liquid passages having liquid passages arranged in the first direction and interconnected via a communication path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through interconnected passages:

Implementation Method 2

each of the nozzles being provided to eject liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid ejection from nozzles:

Implementation Method 3

a flushing operation of the head portion, the flushing operation being an operation of ejecting the liquid from the nozzles as waste liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlushing ejection:

Data Source

PatentUS9802411B2Print device and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A nozzle arrangement of a head portion of a printer includes nozzle arrays arranged in a first direction. Each of the nozzle arrays has nozzles arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. Each of the nozzles is provided to eject liquid. The printer includes a set of liquid passages provided to supply the liquid to the nozzle arrangement. The set of liquid passages has liquid passages interconnected via a communication path. The nozzles in each of the nozzle arrays is connected to a corresponding one of the liquid passages. In selective flushing that is performed a plurality of times, among the nozzles configuring the nozzle arrays, liquid is ejected from the nozzles arranged in a first region adjacent to the communication path.