Print Apparatus Nozzle Occlusion Detection and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contaminants such as external particles can block nozzles in print apparatuses, leading to malfunction and potential early failure, affecting image quality and requiring frequent user intervention or printhead replacement.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically detects occluded nozzles and triggers a cleaning operation using a wiper blade to remove contaminants, with the cleaning operation being triggered when a predetermined number of consecutive nozzles are occluded, ensuring regular maintenance and preventing nozzle failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual nozzle cleaning is performed frequently, then nozzle functionality is maintained, but user intervention time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis through drop detection tests and self-cleaning through automated wiper activation, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The processor automatically monitors nozzle status and triggers cleaning operations when occlusion is detected, allowing the print apparatus to maintain itself without external assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where drop detection tests provide information about nozzle occlusion status to the processor, which then automatically activates the wiper blade when occlusion is detected. This closed-loop control ensures nozzle functionality is maintained based on real-time condition monitoring rather than fixed schedules.
2Reliability
If continuous cleaning operations are performed, then nozzle occlusion is prevented, but printing productivity and energy efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous cleaning, the system performs drop detection tests at regular intervals during printing operations and activates the wiper blade periodically when occlusion is detected. This intermittent cleaning approach maintains nozzle reliability while minimizing disruption to printing productivity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs drop detection tests during printing operations to detect occlusion early, and activates the wiper blade before complete blockage occurs. This preliminary cleaning action prevents severe occlusion that would require more extensive intervention and maintains printing efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If drop detection tests are performed frequently, then occlusion is detected early, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs drop detection tests at intervals that provide sufficient monitoring precision without excessive frequency. The processor evaluates drop detection results and activates cleaning only when occlusion is detected, avoiding unnecessary tests and processing overhead while maintaining adequate detection accuracy for timely intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a method comprising determining, by a processor, if there are consecutive nozzles of a print apparatus that are occluded by a contaminant; and, when a predetermined number of consecutive nozzles are occluded, automatically triggering a cleaning operation to at least partially remove the contaminant.