Printhead Cap Cleaning Control for Variable Ink Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses face issues with inconsistent ink suction from nozzles due to varying negative pressure, leading to inadequate or excessive cleaning liquid usage, which can result in ink solidification or overconsumption in the waste-liquid flow path.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that adjusts the amount of cleaning liquid and negative pressure based on the amount of ink suctioned, using a cap cleaning operation that varies the cleaning liquid supply and suction duration to prevent ink solidification and optimize liquid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the same amount of cleaning liquid is supplied regardless of ink suction amount, then the control is simple, but ink solidification occurs in the waste-liquid flow path when ink suction is large
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit measures the actual amount of ink suctioned from the nozzles and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the cleaning liquid supply amount. This closed-loop control ensures that the cleaning liquid supply matches the actual ink suction amount, preventing ink solidification while avoiding excessive cleaning liquid usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid supply amount is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the cleaning liquid supply based on the measured ink suction amount, allowing the system to adapt to varying ink suction conditions and prevent ink solidification when suction is large.
2Loss of substance
If the same amount of cleaning liquid is supplied regardless of ink suction amount, then the control is simple, but cleaning liquid is overconsumed when ink suction is small
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the ink suction amount measurement to adjust the cleaning liquid supply. When ink suction is small, the system reduces cleaning liquid supply accordingly, preventing overconsumption while maintaining sufficient cleaning when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid supply parameter is changed based on the ink suction amount. The control unit modifies the cleaning liquid supply rate or duration according to the measured ink suction, optimizing cleaning liquid usage across different operating conditions.
3Productivity
If negative pressure is applied for longer duration to increase ink suction, then more ink is removed from nozzles, but more cleaning liquid is required in the waste-liquid flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit measures the actual ink suction amount achieved through negative pressure application and uses this information to adjust the cleaning liquid supply. This ensures that cleaning liquid is supplied in proportion to the actual ink removed, optimizing both ink suction efficiency and cleaning liquid usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system self-adjusts the cleaning liquid supply based on its own ink suction performance. By measuring its own ink suction amount and automatically adjusting cleaning liquid supply accordingly, the system optimizes resource usage without external intervention.
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
Effectively prevents ink solidification in the waste-liquid flow path by optimizing cleaning liquid usage, reducing waste and maintaining apparatus performance.
Implementation Method 1
In a case in which ink is suctioned from nozzles by applying negative pressure to a cap
Implementation Method 2
a waste-liquid flow path serving as a flow path of ink suctioned from nozzles is provided, and a cap is cleaned by supplying a cleaning liquid to the cap via the waste-liquid flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing apparatus (1) includes a cap (181) for capping a printhead (22) that ejects a liquid, supplying means (104) for supplying the cap with a cleaning liquid for rinsing out the liquid inside the cap, and controlling means (105-107) for controlling an amount of the cleaning liquid supplied to the cap by the supplying means in accordance with an amount of the liquid discharged from the printhead to the cap.