Printing Device Attachment Detection High Impedance State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Printing devices face challenges in reliably detecting the attachment of printing material containers without risking short circuits between high voltage detection circuits and storage devices, leading to potential failures and data errors.

Innovation Solution

The printing device sets the terminals for the storage device to a high impedance state during attachment detection, preventing voltage application to the storage device and using a resistor element to detect attachment through a controlled voltage and current, thereby preventing short circuits and ensuring safe and reliable detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high voltage is applied to the first attachment detection terminal for detection of attachment, then the detection reliability is improved, but the risk of short circuit between the high voltage circuit and the storage device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment detection reliabilityVSAvoidshort circuit risk to storage device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller sets the plurality of terminals for the storage device to a high impedance state before applying the voltage for detection of attachment to the first attachment detection terminal. This preliminary action isolates the storage device from the high voltage before detection begins, preventing potential short circuits while allowing reliable attachment detection to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary by controlling the impedance state of the terminals connected to the storage device. By switching these terminals to a high impedance state during attachment detection, the controller mediates between the high voltage detection circuit and the storage device, preventing direct electrical contact that could cause short circuits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the terminals for the storage device are set to a high impedance state during attachment detection, then the protection from short circuit is improved, but the access speed to the storage device may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage device protectionVSAvoidstorage access speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The controller periodically switches the terminals for the storage device between high impedance state (during attachment detection) and normal operating state (during data access). This periodic switching ensures that the storage device is protected only when necessary (during high voltage detection), while maintaining normal access speed during data operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The impedance state of the terminals connected to the storage device is dynamically changed based on the operational phase. During attachment detection, the terminals are set to high impedance state for protection; during data access operations, the terminals are switched to normal state for optimal performance. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between protection and speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the voltage for detection of attachment is applied continuously, then the attachment detection is always available, but the noise-induced errors and memory errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment detection availabilityVSAvoiddata errors due to noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage for detection of attachment is applied periodically rather than continuously. The controller applies the high voltage only when attachment detection is required, and stops applying it during normal data access operations. This periodic application maintains detection availability when needed while minimizing the time during which noise-induced errors can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The high voltage for attachment detection is extracted or removed from the system during normal data access operations. By taking out the high voltage when it is not needed for detection, the patent eliminates the source of noise that could cause memory errors and data corruption, while still maintaining the capability to apply it when attachment detection is required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8814332B2Printing device

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing device includes a printing material container, a controller and a voltage applying unit. The printing material container has a storage device, a plurality of terminals for the storage device, and first and second attachment detection terminals. The storage device stores information of the amount of a printing material. The controller is connected to the plurality of terminals for the storage device and controls reading or writing of data from or in the storage device. The voltage applying unit applies a voltage for detection of attachment to the first attachment detection terminal. When the voltage applying unit applies the voltage for the detection of the attachment to the first attachment detection terminal, the controller sets the terminals for the storage device to a high impedance state.