Ink Discharge Control for Pressure-Stable Image Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with increased pressure fluctuation in ink feeding channels due to high printing speeds, leading to density variations and image degradation, which conventional methods like thickening the channel or adding dampers fail to adequately address without increasing the apparatus size.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a detection unit to measure discharge amounts and a control unit to adjust discharge based on detected variations, allowing for real-time correction of ink discharge to mitigate pressure fluctuations without enlarging the apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the ink feeding channel is made thicker to reduce pressure fluctuation, then image quality is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the ink feeding channel from thickness to length. By making the channel shorter instead of thicker, the patent reduces pressure fluctuation while avoiding increase in apparatus size. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction between image quality and compactness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ink feeding channel is made shorter to reduce pressure fluctuation, then image quality is improved, but head placement becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the ink feeding channel from thickness to length. By optimizing the length parameter, the patent reduces pressure fluctuation while maintaining sufficient space for head placement. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction between image quality and ease of assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If a damper is provided near the liquid discharge head to alleviate pressure fluctuation, then image quality is improved, but the apparatus size increases and head placement is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the ink feeding channel from thickness to length, eliminating the need for additional damper components. By optimizing the channel length parameter, the patent achieves pressure fluctuation reduction without adding volume or complicating the structure, thus resolving the contradiction between image quality and apparatus compactness.
4Productivity
If printing speed is increased to improve productivity, then output is improved, but pressure fluctuation increases causing density variation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of the ink feeding channel from thickness to length. By optimizing the length parameter, the patent reduces pressure fluctuation even at high printing speeds, allowing high productivity to be achieved without sacrificing image quality. This resolves the contradiction between printing speed and image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit. In a case where a total amount of liquid discharged from all of at least one liquid discharge head connected to one or more channel pipelines communicating with a tank until a predetermined first time period elapses from a first time is a first discharge amount and a total amount of liquid discharged from all of the at least one liquid discharge head connected to the one or more channel pipelines until the first time period elapses from a second time later than the first time by the first time period is a second discharge amount, the control unit is configured to adjust the discharge amount from a time later than the second time by the first time period, based on a value obtained by subtracting the second discharge amount from the first discharge amount.