Print Head Connection Verification via Voltage Drop Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in detecting poor connections at individual terminals of the print head, leading to inefficient mounting and potential ink wastage due to the press contact type connection mechanism, which allows for tiny flecks of waste to cause mechanical misalignment and incomplete electrical connections.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet printer system that includes a determination means using an energized energy element, such as a heater resistor, to sense voltage drops after mounting the print head, allowing for reliable detection of poor connections before ink supply, utilizing a CPU-controlled flow chart to confirm proper electrical connections and alert users for remounting if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a press contact type connection mechanism is used for mounting the print head, then ease of removability and low cost are achieved, but poor connections occur due to tiny flecks of waste causing mechanical misalignment and incomplete electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing electrical connection confirmation before ink supply. The control unit detects voltage drops across connection terminals during a pre-check phase, identifying poor connections before ink is supplied to the print head, thereby preventing ink waste and enabling early remounting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment verification with electrical measurement. Instead of relying solely on mechanical press contact alignment, the system uses voltage drop detection through the connection terminals to objectively identify poor electrical connections, substituting mechanical inspection with electrical sensing
2Reliability
If connection confirmation is performed after ink supply, then the mounting status can be checked, but significant preparation time is extended and ink is wasted due to poor connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the electrical connection confirmation action in advance of ink supply. The control unit executes voltage drop detection during a pre-mounting check phase, so that if poor connections are detected, remounting can occur before ink is supplied, eliminating both time loss and ink waste associated with post-supply detection
3Reliability
If connection confirmation is performed after ink supply, then the mounting status can be checked, but ink is wasted due to poor connections requiring remounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent executes connection confirmation as a preliminary action before ink supply. The control unit detects voltage drops across connection terminals during a pre-check phase, enabling identification of poor connections before ink is supplied to the print head, thereby completely preventing ink waste that would result from post-supply detection and remounting
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
Enables quick and reliable detection of poor connections, reducing ink wastage and preparation time by confirming electrical connections before ink supply, ensuring proper mounting and minimizing user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage drop is sensed in the energization means
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an ink jet printer capable of reliably detecting a poor connection of connection terminal of a print head in a short time without wasting ink. For that end, a print head is mounted on a carriage, and power is supplied from a capacitor to a heater before charging ink to the print head, so as to determine the presence of voltage drop.