Printer Nozzle Detection via Residual Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses consume ink and printing medium to detect defective nozzles, which is inefficient and can lead to difficulties in visually recognizing nozzle defects, especially when dealing with certain ink colors.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a detector that generates residual vibration in the pressure chamber by applying a specific drive signal to the actuator, allowing for defective nozzle detection without ink ejection, and a display unit that shows the position of defective nozzles, reducing ink consumption and improving visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical ejection failure detection is used to detect defective nozzles, then nozzle defect detection capability is improved, but ink and printing medium are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection method with a mechanical vibration detection method. By applying a drive signal to the actuator and detecting residual vibrations in the pressure chamber, the system can identify defective nozzles without requiring ink ejection. This substitution eliminates ink consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces residual vibration as an intermediary parameter for detection. Instead of directly observing ink ejection, the system detects vibrations in the pressure chamber that occur when the actuator drives the nozzle. Defective nozzles produce different vibration characteristics, enabling indirect detection without ink consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If printed patterns are used to visually show defective nozzles, then defect visibility is improved, but ink and printing medium are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual pattern printing method with a vibration-based detection and display method. By measuring residual vibrations and displaying the results electronically, the system achieves defect visibility without consuming printing medium or ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy or representation of the nozzle defect status through vibration analysis and digital display. Instead of physically printing a pattern that replicates the defect information, the system uses sensors and displays to create a digital representation, eliminating the need for printing medium.
3Loss of substance
If a drive signal preventing ink ejection is applied to generate residual vibration, then ink consumption is reduced, but detection of defective nozzles becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from the residual vibration signal to determine nozzle health. By analyzing the vibration characteristics returned from the pressure chamber after actuator drive, the system can identify defective nozzles. The feedback mechanism simplifies the overall process by providing direct information about nozzle status without requiring ink ejection.
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 the detection of defective nozzles without consuming ink or printing medium, improving operational efficiency and enhancing user visibility of nozzle defects through a display-based solution.
Implementation Method 1
a detector configured to generate a residual vibration in the pressure chamber by imparting, to the actuator, a predetermined drive signal that prevents the nozzle from ejecting the ink
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing head that includes a plurality of nozzles, each of which ejects an ink pushed out from a pressure chamber by driving of an actuator, a display unit, a detector that generates a residual vibration in the pressure chamber by imparting, to the actuator, a predetermined drive signal that prevents the nozzle from ejecting the ink, and, based on the residual vibration, performs, for each of the plurality of nozzles, defective nozzle detection processing of detecting a defective nozzle having ejection failure, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display defective nozzle information including a position, in the printing head, of the defective nozzle detected by the detector.