Borderless Printing Zone Control via Absorbent Platen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print apparatuses face challenges in delivering print agents, such as ink, up to the edges of substrates without inadvertently transferring them onto supporting surfaces, leading to substrate damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a print agent-absorbent portion on the platen and using a print head with independently controlled nozzles, where a print mask determines which nozzles to fire based on the substrate's position, preventing ink from being deposited onto the platen and ensuring it is absorbed instead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If print agent is delivered up to the edges of the substrate, then borderless printing capability is achieved, but print agent may transfer onto the supporting surface causing substrate damage
Solution Approach 1:
The platen is segmented into a print agent-absorbent portion and a non-absorbent portion. The absorbent portion is positioned at the location where the substrate leading edge will be during printing, creating distinct functional zones that prevent ink transfer while allowing borderless printing on the non-absorbent areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A print agent-absorbent material is introduced as an intermediary between the print head and the substrate leading edge. This intermediary material absorbs excess print agent that might otherwise transfer onto the substrate, preventing damage while enabling borderless printing capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a print mask is used to control which nozzles fire, then precise control over print agent delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print mask is implemented as a dynamic, programmable control mechanism rather than a fixed physical mask. The control system dynamically enables or disables specific nozzles based on real-time substrate position and print job requirements, achieving precise control without the complexity of mechanical mask systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical print mask system is replaced with an electronic control system that uses software logic to determine which nozzles should fire. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining precise control over print agent delivery through digital signal processing.
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 method allows for borderless printing while preventing ink from transferring back onto the substrate, reducing damage and ensuring precise control over print agent delivery, thereby enhancing print quality and substrate protection.
Implementation Method 1
a print agent-absorbent portion onto which print agent may be delivered without the risk (or with a lower risk) that the print agent is then transferred back onto the substrate inadvertently
Data Source
AI summary
A method of printing on a printable medium is disclosed. The method of printing may use a print head having a plurality of nozzles. The printable medium may have a leading edge and a defined zone adjacent to the leading edge. The print head may deposit print agent onto the printable medium via the plurality of nozzles during successive printing passes. The method may comprise printing outside, and not within, the defined zone on the printable medium using a first subset of nozzles of the plurality of nozzles. The method may further comprise printing within, and not outside, the defined zone on the printable medium using a second subset of nozzles of the plurality of nozzles.