Image Forming Device Droplet Ejection Control for Mist Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming devices face issues with mist generation, particularly when ejecting small droplets outside the medium, leading to contamination and potential degradation of image quality, despite methods to suppress small droplets affecting image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming device with a controller that dynamically adjusts droplet ejection based on usage history, employing normal and suppression criteria to selectively use large and small droplets, minimizing mist-related contamination while maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If small droplets are ejected outside the medium to enable borderless printing, then printing coverage is improved, but mist is generated causing contamination and harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating droplet ejection strategies based on spatial location. Small droplets are ejected in specific regions (suppression area) while large droplets are used in other regions (normal area), creating locally optimized ejection patterns that balance printing coverage with mist suppression in different zones of the medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of droplet size dynamically during the ejection process. By switching between small and large droplets based on position and usage conditions, the system maintains printing coverage while reducing mist generation. The controller adjusts droplet size parameters in real-time based on the ejection position and device usage history.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If small droplets are restricted to reduce mist generation, then contamination is reduced, but image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the droplet ejection strategy adaptive rather than static. The controller dynamically selects between small and large droplets based on real-time conditions including position, image data, and usage history. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain image quality while reducing contamination through context-aware droplet selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller references usage history and device state to determine droplet size. The system learns from past usage patterns and adjusts droplet ejection accordingly, using feedback from usage conditions to optimize the balance between contamination prevention and image quality maintenance.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If small droplets are suppressed in all conditions, then mist generation is reduced, but image quality is unnecessarily degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static suppression approach to a dynamic, condition-based approach. The controller adjusts droplet size selection based on real-time conditions including position, image data, and usage history, allowing small droplets to be used when beneficial for image quality while suppressing them when mist generation is a concern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the suppression parameter dynamically rather than applying fixed suppression. The degree of small droplet suppression varies based on usage conditions, position, and image requirements. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain image quality when small droplets are appropriate while suppressing mist generation when necessary.
4Area of stationary object
If borderless printing is performed repeatedly, then printing coverage is improved, but device contamination accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using usage history to predict and prevent contamination before it occurs. The controller references past usage patterns to determine when mist generation is likely to cause accumulation, and proactively adjusts droplet size to prevent contamination rather than reacting after contamination has occurred.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through usage history tracking, where the controller continuously monitors and references past printing conditions to adjust current droplet ejection. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from repeated borderless printing operations and adapt droplet selection to prevent contamination accumulation while maintaining printing coverage.
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 mist-related contamination by selectively using larger droplets when necessary, preserving image quality and extending the device's service life.
Implementation Method 1
forming an image represented by image data on a medium by controlling the head to perform a plurality of liquid droplets onto a plurality of positions within an ejection region of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A controller of an image forming device performs determining which to eject a small or large droplet. When a corresponding position is in a normal area: the controller performs the determining according to a normal criterion. When the corresponding position is in a suppression area: in response to determining that a prescribed condition is not met for both a used medium number and a usage period, the controller performs the determining according to a first suppression criterion; and in response to determining that the prescribed condition is met for at least one of the used medium number and the usage period, the controller performs the determining according to either a second suppression criterion or the normal criterion. The first and second suppression criteria suppressing use of the small droplet more than the normal criterion. The first suppression criterion suppressing use of the small droplet more than the second suppression criterion.