Sequential Dummy Discharge Timing for Inkjet Nozzle Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in minimizing mist scattering during dummy discharge operations, which can lead to contamination and reading errors due to simultaneous discharge from multiple nozzle rows into a cap, resulting in inefficient maintenance and increased risk of ink dryness and viscosity issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dummy discharge controller that coordinates the discharge of dummy droplets from nozzle groups at different timings between adjacent nozzle rows, reducing overlapping air flows and optimizing the positioning of nozzle rows relative to the cap to minimize mist scattering and maintain nozzle moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dummy discharge droplets are discharged simultaneously from multiple adjacent nozzle rows into a cap, then the maintenance operation can be completed quickly, but mist scattering increases causing contamination and reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the simultaneous discharge operation from multiple nozzle rows into segmented, sequential operations. Specifically, the controller performs dummy discharge from one nozzle row at a time in sequence, rather than simultaneously from all rows. This segmentation of the discharge timing eliminates overlapping air flows that cause mist scattering, while still completing the maintenance operation across all nozzle rows efficiently.
2Loss of time
If dummy discharge droplets are discharged from multiple nozzle rows simultaneously, then the maintenance time is reduced, but the risk of ink dryness and viscosity issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous moisture in the cap's absorber through sequential dummy discharge operations from multiple nozzle rows. By performing dummy discharge from each nozzle row in sequence without long interruptions, the cap continuously absorbs moisture from the discharged droplets, preventing ink dryness and viscosity issues in all nozzle rows while completing maintenance efficiently.
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 effectively reduces mist scattering, shortens maintenance time, and prevents ink dryness by controlling dummy discharge operations, ensuring reliable operation and image quality while maintaining nozzle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a cap (82) that caps the nozzle formed face (34N) of the liquid ejection head (34), the absorber being disposed inside the cap (82)
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a cap, and a dummy discharge controller. The liquid ejection head has plural nozzle rows in a nozzle formed face thereof. Each of the plural nozzle rows includes multiple nozzles through which droplets are discharged. The cap caps the nozzle formed face of the liquid ejection head. The dummy discharge controller controls a dummy discharge operation to discharge dummy discharge droplets not contributing to image formation from the nozzles with the nozzle formed face opposed to the cap. The dummy discharge controller controls the liquid ejection head to discharge the dummy discharge droplets at different timings between adjacent nozzle rows of the plural nozzle rows in the dummy discharge operation.