Ink Circulation Control for Print Quality Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The thickening of ink in the circulation pathway of a printing apparatus leads to reduced ink supply to the ejection port, resulting in decreased print quality due to increased viscosity, which affects the printing density and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that includes a concentration acquisition unit to monitor ink concentration, a setting unit to adjust the number of ink ejects based on concentration levels, and a control unit to manage ink ejection from the ejection port, ensuring optimal ink supply and maintaining print quality despite ink thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is circulated in the circulation pathway to suppress concentration increase at the ejection port, then ink supply to the ejection port is improved, but ink thickening progresses in the circulation pathway over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting ink concentration in advance and proactively adjusting the number of ink ejects before severe thickening occurs. The concentration detection unit continuously monitors ink concentration, and when a threshold is approached, the control unit preemptively reduces eject frequency to prevent excessive thickening that would compromise printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using the concentration detection unit to continuously monitor ink concentration in the circulation pathway. This detection information is fed back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts the number of ink ejects based on the detected concentration level, creating a closed-loop control system that dynamically balances ink circulation and thickening prevention.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of ink ejects is increased to maintain printing density, then image quality is improved, but ink consumption increases and thickening accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the number of ink ejects variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the eject frequency based on real-time ink concentration detection, increasing ejects when concentration is low to maintain printing density, and decreasing ejects when concentration rises to prevent excessive thickening, creating a flexible adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of eject frequency based on ink concentration levels. When the concentration detection unit detects low ink concentration, the control unit increases the number of ejects to maintain printing density. When concentration increases indicating thickening, the control unit reduces eject frequency, thereby dynamically adjusting this critical parameter to balance quality and thickening control.
3Reliability
If ink circulation is continuous to maintain fresh ink supply, then ejection port concentration is controlled, but ink thickening in the circulation pathway progresses with time
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies the skipping principle by reducing the circulation duration of ink in certain conditions. When the concentration detection unit detects high ink concentration, the control unit decreases the number of ejects and effectively reduces the time ink spends circulating, allowing thicker ink to be bypassed or removed from active circulation, thereby preventing further thickening while maintaining ejection port supply.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a circulation pathway that circulates an ink between a pressure chamber of a printing head and the outside thereof. The number of eject of the ink to be ejected from an ejection port of the printing head to a unit printing area is set according to a concentration of the ink in the circulation pathway.