Sonic Speed Measurement Device for Ink Cartridges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sonic speed measurement devices face challenges in accurately measuring the sonic speed of ultrasonic waves propagating through ink in ink cartridges due to multiple reflections and edge effects, leading to errors in viscosity calculation.

Innovation Solution

A sonic speed measurement device with a reception array that detects phase differences between adjacent reception elements receiving a spherical wave of ultrasonic waves, eliminating the need for multiple reflection surfaces and reducing edge effects by using phasing addition to calculate sonic speed accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple reflection surfaces with step difference are used to measure sonic speed, then the measurement method can be implemented, but multiple reflections and edge effects cause errors in sonic speed measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesonic speed measurement accuracyVSAvoidmultiple reflections and edge effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful reflection surfaces with step differences from the measurement system. Instead of using multiple reflection surfaces that cause edge effects and multiple reflections, the patent employs a single reflection surface that reflects ultrasonic waves back to the transmission/reception element without introducing edge-related measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the conventional measurement approach by using a single reflection surface rather than multiple surfaces with step differences. This inversion eliminates the edge effects that occur at the boundaries between different reflection surfaces, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If ink is stirred every time before liquid droplet ejection to suppress ink precipitation, then ink concentration unevenness is reduced, but the printing process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink concentration uniformityVSAvoidprinting process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the sonic speed measurement results are used to determine whether ink stirring is necessary. By continuously monitoring ink physical properties through sonic speed measurements, the system can detect changes in ink concentration uniformity and trigger stirring only when needed, rather than stirring before every printing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces continuous or frequent stirring operations with periodic stirring based on measurement triggers. The sonic speed measurement device enables periodic monitoring of ink properties, and stirring is performed only when measurement results indicate concentration unevenness, thereby reducing overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If pulse signals reflected at multiple surfaces are received to measure sonic speed, then the measurement can be performed, but accurate reception of pulse signals becomes difficult due to multiply reflected signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesonic speed measurement capabilityVSAvoidpulse signal reception accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the source of multiple reflected signals by using a single reflection surface instead of multiple surfaces with step differences. This configuration ensures that only one primary reflected signal is received, removing the complexity of distinguishing between multiple reflections and improving signal reception accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration allows for precise detection of phase differences and accurate calculation of sonic speed, even with small signal values, reducing errors and enhancing measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

measures a sonic speed of an ultrasonic wave which propagates through the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

detects a phase difference between the reception signals output from the reception elements adjacent to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase difference detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11566989B2Sonic speed measurement device and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A sonic speed measurement device includes a reception array in which a plurality of reception elements which output reception signals in response to reception of an ultrasonic wave are disposed in one direction, a phase difference detection portion that detects a phase difference between the reception signals output from the reception elements adjacent to each other in a case where the plurality of reception elements receive the ultrasonic wave which propagates in a spherical wave shape from a target point, and a sonic speed calculation portion that calculates a sonic speed of the ultrasonic wave on the basis of the phase difference.