Variable Pivot Angle Ink Cartridge Agitation for Sedimentation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniform ink concentration due to sedimentation of pigment and metal powder in spot color inks, leading to degraded printing quality, as current agitation methods are inefficient and require excessive time.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording apparatus with a pivot mechanism for ink cartridges, controlled by a controller that measures stationary time and adjusts pivot angle based on ink agitation degree, allowing for variable agitation depending on sedimentation progress, thereby reducing agitation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If ink cartridges are rotated greatly and uniformly to agitate sedimentation ink, then ink dispersion is improved, but agitation time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pivot angle variable rather than fixed. The controller adjusts the pivot angle dynamically based on the stationary time detected, allowing the agitation intensity to adapt to the actual sedimentation degree. This resolves the contradiction by enabling effective ink dispersion without requiring excessive uniform rotation, thereby reducing agitation time while maintaining ink concentration uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pivot angle from a constant value to a variable value that depends on stationary time. By detecting the stationary time and corresponding the it to appropriate pivot angles, the system optimizes the agitation process, achieving sufficient ink dispersion with reduced agitation time compared to uniform great rotation.
2Loss of time
If ink cartridges are not agitated, then agitation time is reduced, but ink concentration becomes non-uniform due to sedimentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the stationary time of the ink cartridge and using this information to determine the appropriate pivot angle for agitation. This feedback mechanism ensures that agitation is applied only when necessary and with the appropriate intensity, maintaining ink concentration uniformity without unnecessary agitation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of stationary time before executing the agitation action. By measuring how long the ink cartridge has remained stationary and corresponding this to the appropriate pivot angle, the system prepares the optimal agitation parameters in advance, ensuring effective ink dispersion with minimal necessary agitation time.
3Device complexity
If fixed pivot angle is used for ink cartridge agitation, then device complexity is reduced, but agitation effectiveness varies with sedimentation degree
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed pivot angle mechanism to a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The controller automatically adjusts the pivot angle based on detected stationary time, making the agitation process adaptive to different sedimentation conditions. This improves agitation efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention, as the adjustment is automated based on simple time detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting stationary time and autonomously determining the appropriate pivot angle for agitation. This eliminates the need for complex external control or manual adjustment, allowing the system to adapt its agitation parameters based on actual conditions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 effectively reduces the time required for agitating sedimentation ink, ensuring uniform concentration and maintaining high printing quality by adapting agitation intensity to the degree of sedimentation.
Implementation Method 1
particles of a pigment contained in white ink are larger than particles of a pigment in process color ink, and thus, the pigment is easily deposited. Metallic ink contains metal powder and other substances, and the metal powder and other substances are also easily deposited. That is, among the spot color inks, white ink and metallic ink (hereinafter collectively referred to as 'sedimentation ink') show gradual sedimentation of a pigment or metal powder and other substances in the sedimentation ink with a lapse of a stationary time.
Implementation Method 2
the pigment is easily deposited. Metallic ink contains metal powder and other substances, and the metal powder and other substances are also easily deposited.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer capable includes a pivot mechanism that causes a first ink cartridge housing a first ink pack containing sedimentation ink to pivot. A controller includes a memory storing first data defining a relationship between a determined ink agitation degree and a pivot angle of the ink cartridge from an initial position, an angle determiner that determines a pivot angle based on the determined ink agitation degree and the first data, and a first controller that controls the pivot mechanism to cause the first ink cartridge to pivot by the determined pivot angle and move to a pivot position, and then cause the first ink cartridge to pivot in the opposite direction and return to the initial position. A first pivot angle when the ink agitation degree is less than a first value is smaller than a second pivot angle when the ink agitation degree is the first value or more.