Recording Head Drive Control for Ink Interchange Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording devices face issues with unstable ink ejection and increased operational costs due to incomplete ink interchange, where residual ink mixes with new ink, leading to unstable ejection properties and unnecessary ink consumption.
Innovation Solution
A recording device and method that utilize pulsed signals to determine and control energy supply to the recording head, adjusting energy levels based on ink consumption after interchange to prevent mixed ink instability and minimize ink consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ink tanks are interchanged to support different recording media properties, then adaptability to different recording conditions is improved, but residual ink from previous tanks mixes with new ink causing unstable ejection properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting ink tank interchange and counting drive pulses before the mixed ink causes problems. It proactively adjusts drive conditions based on the estimated amount of mixed ink, preventing ejection instability rather than reacting after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive conditions are made dynamic and adjustable based on the detected interchange state and estimated mixed ink amount. The system varies drive pulse width and amplitude according to the mixing ratio, optimizing ejection performance for each stage of ink replacement rather than using fixed drive conditions.
2Reliability
If complete draining of residual ink is performed to eliminate mixing, then ink ejection reliability is improved, but ink consumption increases and interchange time extends
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely draining the ink (binary approach), the system changes drive parameters (pulse width, amplitude) continuously based on the estimated mixed ink amount. This allows stable ejection with partial mixing present, eliminating the need for complete draining and reducing ink waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by counting drive pulses and calculating the mixed ink amount based on ink consumption. This feedback loop allows real-time adjustment of drive conditions to compensate for mixed ink presence, maintaining reliability without complete draining.
3Reliability
If complete draining of residual ink is performed to eliminate mixing, then ink ejection reliability is improved, but the time required for ink interchange increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of interchange and proactive adjustment of drive conditions before complete draining would be required. This eliminates the time-consuming complete draining step while maintaining ejection reliability through dynamic parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips the time-consuming complete draining step by using pulse counting to estimate mixed ink amount and directly adjusting drive conditions. This rushes through the interchange process efficiently without the intermediate complete draining operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If pigment inks are interchanged to match different recording media, then image quality is improved, but dispersant deterioration occurs leading to pigment aggregation and unstable ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The system detects pigment ink interchange and proactively adjusts drive conditions before pigment aggregation occurs. By counting drive pulses and estimating mixed ink amount, it prevents dispersant deterioration effects rather than reacting after aggregation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Drive conditions are dynamically adjusted based on the estimated mixed ink amount during pigment ink interchange. This compensates for dispersant deterioration and pigment aggregation effects, maintaining stable ejection and image quality throughout the transition period.
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
Ensures stable and high-quality ink ejection by increasing energy supply initially to stabilize ink droplet placement and reducing energy later to conserve ink and extend recording head lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
a drive unit driving the recording head by applying pulsed signals to the recording head to supply energy thereto
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device counts the number of pulsed signals applied to drive a recording head after the device determines that ink tanks have been interchanged. The recording device compares the number of pulsed signals counted after the interchange of the ink tanks with a predetermined threshold to change the energy supplied to drive the recording head according to the comparison.