Printing Apparatus Substrate Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses face issues in accurately determining abnormalities in printing element substrates, particularly due to defects in selection circuits or wiring, leading to incorrect determinations of normal operation.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a selection unit to choose a temperature sensor and a control unit to drive only the selected printing element substrate, allowing for precise abnormality determination based on measured temperatures, thereby improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors are provided on each printing element substrate with selective operation capability, then temperature control precision is improved, but reliability of abnormality determination deteriorates due to selection circuit defects
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the printing element assembly into multiple independent substrates (first substrate with first temperature sensor, second substrate with second temperature sensor), each capable of independent temperature measurement and control. This segmentation allows isolated testing of each substrate-temperature sensor pair, preventing selection circuit defects from causing false abnormality determinations across the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that selectively connects to specific temperature sensors (first or second) based on which substrate is currently being tested or operated. By mediating the connection between the determination unit and specific temperature sensors, the system can perform reliable abnormality determination on individual substrates without interference from selection circuit defects affecting all sensors simultaneously.
2Reliability
If all printing element substrates are monitored simultaneously, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to selection circuit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a complex selection circuit to monitor all substrates simultaneously, the system segments the monitoring function into separate, dedicated temperature sensors for each substrate. Each substrate has its own temperature sensor that can be independently tested, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability through sequential or selective operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each printing element substrate serves itself with a dedicated temperature sensor for temperature measurement and abnormality detection. The first substrate uses the first temperature sensor, and the second substrate uses the second temperature sensor, eliminating the need for a complex centralized selection circuit to manage multiple sensors. Each substrate-temperature sensor pair operates independently, reducing device complexity.
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 enhances the reliability of determining substrate abnormalities by preventing incorrect determinations caused by defects in selection circuits or wiring, ensuring accurate assessment of substrate states.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of temperature sensors, each of the plurality of temperature sensors is provided on each of the printing element substrates, and that measure a temperature of the printing element substrate
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of printing element substrates provided with printing elements that discharge ink using thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus that includes printing element substrates which are provided with printing elements that discharge ink. A plurality of temperature sensors, each of which is provided with one of the printing element substrates, measures a temperature of a corresponding printing element substrate. A selection unit selects any one of the temperature sensors, and a determination unit performs a determination operation to determine a state of the printing element substrate based on the temperature measured by the selected temperature sensor in a case when only the printing elements of a substrate that corresponds to the selected temperature sensor are driven. The determination unit performs the determination operation on a first substrate and then on a second non-adjacent substrate.