Printer Head Acceleration Control for Nozzle Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharging apparatuses face challenges in effectively flushing nozzles while the head is accelerating, leading to insufficient liquid discharge and incomplete clearing of thickened liquid due to negative pressure issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus and method that control the head to discharge liquid through nozzles at a flushing range while moving at a controlled acceleration rate, determining whether to adjust the acceleration based on the distance between the flushing and discharging ranges to manage negative pressure and ensure sufficient liquid discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the head is accelerated to shorten printing time, then productivity is improved, but negative pressure is produced in the head causing insufficient liquid discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary determination before the flushing process to decide whether to execute flushing during acceleration or at constant velocity. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare the appropriate control strategy in advance, preventing negative pressure issues while maintaining productivity benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the head movement speed based on the flushing requirement. When flushing is needed, the controller switches from high-speed acceleration mode to constant velocity mode, creating a dynamic control strategy that balances productivity with reliable liquid discharge.
2Loss of time
If the head accelerates during flushing, then the flushing process completes faster, but the liquid discharge amount becomes insufficient to clear thickened liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The controller determines in advance whether the head should accelerate during flushing based on pre-calculated conditions. This preliminary decision ensures that the system only accelerates when flushing effectiveness is not compromised, maintaining both time efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the motion parameter (acceleration rate) based on the flushing requirement. When flushing is executed, the controller uses a first acceleration rate that ensures sufficient liquid discharge, while allowing higher acceleration rates when flushing is not needed, thus optimizing both time and effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the controller determines to flush nozzles during acceleration, then productivity is maintained, but negative pressure prevents sufficient liquid discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary determination before initiating the flushing process to assess whether acceleration should be used. This advance planning allows the system to select the appropriate acceleration rate or switch to constant velocity mode, preventing negative pressure issues while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from the determined conditions (distance between flushing range and discharging range, acceleration rate calculations) to adjust the head movement control, creating a closed-loop system that ensures sufficient liquid discharge while maintaining productivity.
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 restrains negative pressure, ensures a sufficient amount of liquid is discharged for flushing, and maintains stable imaging quality by adjusting acceleration rates during the flushing process.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning assembly configured to move the head in a scanning direction
Implementation Method 2
a conveyer configured to covey a recording medium with respect to the head in a conveying direction
Implementation Method 3
a head having a plurality of nozzles... discharge liquid through the plurality of nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging apparatus, having a head with nozzles, a scanning assembly, a conveyer, and a controller, is provided. The controller is configured to determine whether the nozzles are to be flushed in a moving action which accompanies a discharging action, if the controller determines the nozzles are not to be flushed in the moving action, conduct the moving action to move the head at a first acceleration rate; if the controller determines the nozzles are to be flushed in the moving action, determine whether a distance between a flushing range and a discharging range is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance; and if the controller determines the distance is greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, conduct the moving action to move the head at a second acceleration rate and control the head to discharge liquid for flushing the nozzles.