Print Head Wireless History Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the state of refurbished print heads in liquid ejecting apparatuses are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring dedicated jigs and wiring to read history information, and lack ease in assessing the print head's condition for reuse.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an electrically erasable non-volatile memory and a wireless communication module in the print head to store and transmit history information related to its operation state, allowing for easy determination of the print head's condition through wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If dedicated jigs and wiring are used to read history information from the print head, then the history information can be accessed, but the process becomes complex and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehistory information accessibilityVSAvoidreading process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection system (dedicated jigs and wiring) with a wireless communication system. The print head includes a wireless communication module that transmits history information wirelessly to external devices, eliminating the need for physical connections and significantly simplifying the reading process while maintaining full accessibility to the stored information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If dedicated jigs and wiring are used to read history information, then the information can be retrieved, but the ease of determining print head state is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehistory information retrievalVSAvoidease of determining print head state

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical connection process with wireless communication technology. The wireless communication module enables external devices to easily retrieve history information without requiring physical jigs or wiring connections, dramatically improving the ease of operation for determining print head state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The print head autonomously stores and makes its history information available through the wireless communication module. The system serves itself by maintaining internal storage and enabling easy external access without requiring specialized external equipment, thus improving operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional methods are used for assessing print head condition, then the assessment can be performed, but significant effort is required for refurbishment and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint head state assessmentVSAvoideffort required for refurbishment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the wireless communication module continuously transmits history information about the print head's operation state to external devices. This enables real-time monitoring and assessment of print head condition, allowing for timely maintenance decisions and reducing the time and effort required for refurbishment activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12257832B2Print head and liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A print head ejecting a liquid with respect to a medium and assembled to a liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an ejecting portion ejecting the liquid by receiving a drive signal; an electrically erasable non-volatile memory; and a wireless communication module, in which history information changing in accordance with an operation state of the print head is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the wireless communication module transmits the history information in accordance with a request from an outside.