Recording Head Temperature Feedback for Ink Circulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink viscosity increases around the ejection port of a recording head due to evaporation of volatile components, leading to clogging and abnormal ink circulation, which affects ink ejection, and existing methods to prevent this, such as stopping circulation, do not effectively manage ink concentration in the circulation path.
Innovation Solution
A recording device with a control unit that acquires temperature information during ink circulation and determines the circulation state based on this information to ensure normal operation, including a recording head with ejection ports and a circulation unit to maintain ink flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ink is circulated through the circulation path to prevent viscosity increase at the ejection port, then the viscosity problem is solved, but the ink concentration in the entire circulation path gradually increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature detection to monitor the recording head temperature and compares it against reference temperatures to determine circulation state. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust ink circulation dynamically - maintaining circulation when temperature indicates normal state, and stopping circulation when temperature indicates abnormal state, thus preventing both viscosity increase and excessive concentration buildup
Solution Approach 2:
The recording head's own temperature serves as the indicator for circulation state. By monitoring its own temperature and comparing with reference temperatures, the recording head effectively self-diagnoses its circulation status and triggers appropriate circulation control without external intervention
2Productivity
If the recording head temperature is maintained at high temperature for recording operation, then recording performance is improved, but the temperature does not sufficiently drop after heating stops due to stored heat
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors recording head temperature and uses this feedback to determine when the head has cooled sufficiently after heating stops. By comparing current temperature against reference temperatures, the system can accurately assess the thermal state and make informed decisions about circulation control, ensuring optimal timing for circulation resumption
3Ease of operation
If the circulation pump is operated normally to circulate ink, then ink circulation is maintained, but abnormal circulation may occur due to clogging or bubbles that are not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature detection as a feedback mechanism to monitor the actual circulation state. By comparing the recording head temperature against reference temperatures, the system can detect abnormal circulation conditions (such as those caused by clogging or bubbles) and trigger appropriate responses, making the circulation system more reliable without adding complex sensors
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature serves as an intermediary parameter that indirectly indicates the circulation state. Instead of directly detecting circulation flow or blockages, the system uses temperature as a mediator to infer the circulation status, simplifying the detection mechanism while maintaining reliability
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
The solution allows for determining whether the ink circulation state is normal, preventing ink viscosity increases at the ejection port and ensuring consistent ink ejection by detecting and correcting abnormal circulation.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation unit configured to perform circulation operation to circulate ink through a circulation path including the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 2
the recording head may include a heater to increase the temperature of the recording head and maintain the temperature at a high temperature state
Implementation Method 3
the recording head may include a heating element to foam the ink by thermal energy
Implementation Method 4
the viscosity of ink around an ejection port of a recording head increases due to the evaporation of volatile components in the ink from the ejection port
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device including a recording head, a circulation unit and a control unit is used. The recording head includes an ejection port and a pressure chamber filled with ink, and performs recording operation by ejecting ink from the ejection port. The circulation unit performs circulation operation to circulate ink through a circulation path including the pressure chamber. The control unit acquires temperature information, which is information on temperature of the recording head, in a state where the circulation unit is performing the circulation operation, and determines a circulation state of the ink in the circulation path based on the information on the temperature.