Dual Carriage Inkjet Printer Drying Time Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet image forming apparatuses face challenges in increasing print speed while maintaining image quality, particularly due to the need for adequate drying time of inks between different print sequences, which can lead to mixed inks and degraded image quality if not managed properly.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs two carriages (first and second) that move in the main scanning direction to print different images, with a controller managing the print sequences and calculating drying times to determine whether to execute a faster second print sequence, ensuring sufficient drying before proceeding to increase print speed without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the second carriage prints the second image immediately after the first carriage finishes printing the first image (first print sequence), then the print speed is improved, but the liquid may not have dried sufficiently causing mixed inks and degraded image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The controller changes the parameter of drying time by calculating it based on the discharge amount of liquid from the first carriage and using this calculated drying time to determine whether to execute the second print sequence, thereby adjusting the timing parameter to ensure quality while maintaining speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by calculating the drying time of the liquid discharged by the first carriage and using this information to determine whether to proceed with the second print sequence, creating a closed-loop control that ensures sufficient drying before the second carriage operates
2Manufacturing precision
If the apparatus waits for sufficient drying time before the second carriage prints (first print sequence), then image quality is maintained, but the print speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the print sequence by calculating the actual drying time required and determining whether to execute the first or second print sequence based on this calculation, making the process adaptive rather than fixed, thus optimizing both quality and speed
3Device complexity
If the apparatus uses a fixed print sequence without calculating drying time, then the control system is simpler, but image quality degrades due to insufficient drying between prints
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary action by calculating the drying time of the liquid discharged by the first carriage before determining whether to execute the second print sequence, ensuring that sufficient drying occurs before the second carriage operates, thereby preventing mixed inks and quality degradation
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus, a sub-scanning carriage moves a recording medium in a conveyance direction. A first carriage and a second carriage move in a main scanning direction and discharge a liquid and another liquid onto the recording medium to print a first image and a second image on the recording medium, respectively. Circuitry executes a first print sequence and a second print sequence. Further, the circuitry calculates a drying time of the liquid to form the first image by the first carriage, determines whether to execute the second print sequence based on the drying time, causes the first carriage and the second carriage to execute the second print sequence when the circuitry determines to execute the second print sequence, and causes the first carriage and the second carriage to execute the first print sequence when the circuitry determines not to execute the second print sequence.