Printhead Position Verification Using In-Flight Drop Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing print apparatuses face challenges in determining whether printheads are correctly positioned for different print modes without adding new hardware, which can increase manufacturing costs and introduce failure rates.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a drop detector to measure in-flight printing fluid droplets and compare their positions with stored data to ensure printheads are correctly positioned for a selected print mode, allowing the controller to adjust or prevent printing operations as necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware is added to determine printhead positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead positioning system uses itself to perform measurement. The printhead discharges printing fluid droplets that serve as measurement signals, and the drop detector (already present in the system) detects these droplets to determine printhead position. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional positioning sensors or hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Printing fluid droplets serve as an intermediary medium between the printhead positioning system and the drop detector. The droplets carry positional information from the printhead to the detector, enabling indirect measurement of printhead position without requiring direct mechanical or optical sensors on the printhead.
2Reliability
If additional hardware is added to determine printhead positioning, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drop detector, originally designed for monitoring printing fluid droplet ejection, is made multi-functional by also using it to detect printhead positioning. This universal use of existing hardware improves positioning reliability without adding new components, thereby avoiding increased manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing drop detection capability to perform positioning verification, eliminating the need for separate positioning hardware. This self-service approach maintains reliability while avoiding additional manufacturing costs associated with new components.
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware is added to determine printhead positioning, then measurement precision is improved, but failure rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own drop detection mechanism to perform positioning measurement, avoiding the introduction of new components that could fail. By making the existing drop detector perform dual functions (droplet monitoring and position detection), the system maintains measurement precision without increasing failure rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The printhead positioning function is merged with the existing drop detection function. Both functions share the same hardware (drop detector and printing fluid droplets), reducing the total number of components and potential failure points while maintaining measurement precision.
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 accurate positioning of printheads without additional hardware, reducing manufacturing costs and failure rates by using existing components to verify and correct printhead placement.
Implementation Method 1
a drop detector to detect a position of printing fluid discharged from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
In one example a method comprises causing, by a processor, a nozzle of a printhead to discharge a printing fluid droplet toward a drop detector and receiving, from the drop detector, by a processor, a signal indicative of the location of the discharged printing fluid droplet. The example method comprises determining, by a processor, whether the location of the discharged droplet matches a stored location of the nozzle corresponding to a print mode. The example method comprises issuing, by a processor, a signal based on the determination.