Selective Inkjet Recovery via Customized Waveforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet recovery methods in printers are inefficient as they apply pressure to all printheads, leading to ink loss and interference with printing, as they clear debris and air from inoperative inkjets without selectively addressing individual issues, thus hindering productive use.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that deliver specific signals to individual inkjets in a printhead to selectively operate piezoelectric actuators, using a clearing signal with altered waveform parameters to extend the diaphragm further into the ink chamber, allowing for selective recovery of inoperative inkjets without disrupting ink image printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure is applied to all inkjets in a printhead to clear debris and air, then inoperative inkjets can be recovered, but ink is lost and printing functionality is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printhead into individual inkjet segments, allowing selective application of clearing signals to only those inkjets that are inoperative. The controller identifies specific inoperative inkjets and delivers customized clearing signals only to those particular inkjets rather than to all inkjets in the printhead, thereby segmenting the clearing operation to prevent unnecessary ink loss from functional inkjets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different signal characteristics (local quality) to different inkjets based on their operational status. Inoperative inkjets receive clearing signals with specific waveform parameters designed to clear debris and air, while operational inkjets receive normal printing signals. This localized differentiation ensures that clearing operations are applied only where needed, minimizing ink loss.
2Reliability
If pressure is applied to all inkjets to clear debris and air, then inoperative inkjets can be recovered, but printing functionality is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printhead operation into functional and non-functional inkjet groups. By identifying and isolating inoperative inkjets, the system can apply clearing operations only to those specific segments while maintaining normal printing operations in other segments. This allows concurrent execution of clearing and printing functions, preventing productivity interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous printing operations to proceed while clearing operations are performed on inoperative inkjets. The controller manages signal delivery to maintain uninterrupted printing functionality in operational inkjets while simultaneously applying clearing signals to inoperative inkjets, ensuring that useful printing action continues without interruption.
3Reliability
If pressure is applied to clear inkjets, then debris and air are removed from inkjets, but the clearing process consumes ink without imaging benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies clearing signals with exaggerated waveform parameters (excessive action) specifically tailored for debris and air removal, but only to the extent necessary for inoperative inkjets. By delivering customized clearing signals only to identified inoperative inkjets rather than all inkjets, the system performs partial clearing action that eliminates harmful factors while minimizing unnecessary ink consumption.
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 inkjet recovery without ink loss and maintains printing functionality by selectively clearing inoperative inkjets using customized signals, improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the inkjet printer operation.
Implementation Method 1
Each inkjet has a thermal or piezoelectric actuator that is coupled to a printhead controller. The printhead controller generates firing signals that correspond to digital data for images. The frequency and amplitude of the firing signals correspond to the selective activation of the printhead actuators.
Implementation Method 2
The printhead actuators respond to the firing signals by expanding into an ink chamber to eject ink drops onto an image receiving member and form an ink image that corresponds to the digital image used to generate the firing signals.
Implementation Method 3
delivering to at least one other inkjet in the printhead a second signal configured to operate a piezoelectric actuator in the at least one other inkjet, the second signal being different than the first signal and being further configured to operate the piezoelectric actuator to extend a diaphragm further into an ink chamber of the at least one other inkjet than the diaphragm extends in response to a signal configured for ink image printing
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer is operated to print an ink image and clear inkjets simultaneously. The inkjet printer delivers to a first inkjet in a printhead a first signal that ejects an ink drop from the first inkjet that corresponds to a pixel of an ink image stored in a memory of the printer and delivers to at least one other inkjet in the printhead a second signal that ejects an ink drop from the at least one other inkjet that does not correspond to a pixel of the ink image stored in the memory of the printer.