Printer Cap Cleaning Control via Non-Overlapping Pump Supply Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
In printers, the synchronized operation of pumps can lead to insufficient cleaning liquid supply to caps, resulting in reduced cleaning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The printer employs a control method where the first pump is driven during a specific supply period when the second pump is stopped, ensuring a non-overlapping supply period to increase the cleaning liquid supply amount to the first cap, and similarly for the second cap, using separate supply periods for each pump to prevent flow path resistance and maintain efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple pumps operate simultaneously to supply cleaning liquid to multiple caps, then the cleaning process can proceed in parallel, but the supply amount of cleaning liquid to each cap decreases due to flow path resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning liquid supply operation into separate time periods for each pump. Each pump operates in its dedicated supply period without overlapping with other pumps, ensuring that each cap receives sufficient cleaning liquid volume while the overall cleaning process maintains parallel processing efficiency through sequential time segmentation.
2Device complexity
If pumps operate in synchronized periods, then the control system is simple, but insufficient cleaning liquid is supplied to caps resulting in poor cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing distinct supply periods for each pump in sequence. Each pump operates during its designated period without overlap, ensuring reliable cleaning liquid supply to each cap while maintaining simple control logic through sequential periodic operation rather than complex synchronized control.
3Quantity of substance
If the supply period for each pump is extended to increase cleaning liquid supply amount, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but the total processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total supply time into separate non-overlapping periods for each pump. By dividing the operation time sequentially rather than extending all pumps simultaneously, the system ensures each cap receives adequate cleaning liquid volume while the total processing time remains efficient through parallel time utilization.
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 enhances the supply amount of cleaning liquid to the caps, preventing insufficient cleaning and reducing the risk of ink suction and color mixing defects, while maintaining efficient processing times for suction and supply operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump provided in a first flow path connected to the first cap, and a second pump provided in a second flow path connected to the second cap
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a first cap closely adhering to a first nozzle surface, a second cap closely adhering to a second nozzle surface, a first pump provided in a first flow path connected to the first cap, a second pump provided in a second flow path connected to the second cap, and a processor. The processor performs supplying a cleaning liquid from a tank to the first cap, by driving the first pump during a first supply period in a state of the first cap being closely adhered to the first nozzle surface, and supplying the cleaning liquid from the tank to the second cap, by driving the second pump during a second supply period in a state of the second cap being closely adhered to the second nozzle surface. The first supply period includes a first specific supply period that does not overlap with the second supply period.