Ink Jet Print Head Nozzle Group Segmentation for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printing apparatuses face issues such as density variations, seam lines, and end nozzle dot deflection, which degrade image quality, especially when using densely arrayed nozzles and varying print mediums, and require large, expensive power and ink supplies to maintain throughput and quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a scan mechanism for the print head and a transport mechanism for the print medium, with control systems to adjust nozzle operations and scan periods based on detected operation numbers and ink volume, allowing for adaptive printing modes that optimize energy and ink usage without compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If densely arrayed nozzles are used to improve printing resolution and reduce graininess, then image quality is improved, but power consumption and ink supply requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle array into multiple groups that can be independently controlled and activated. Instead of operating all nozzles simultaneously, the system selectively activates only the necessary nozzle groups based on the printing requirements, thereby reducing peak power consumption while maintaining high printing resolution when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation of nozzle groups rather than continuous operation. By cycling through different nozzle groups in a periodic manner and overlapping their output, the system achieves continuous printing coverage with reduced instantaneous power demands, allowing the power supply to be sized for average rather than peak requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If densely arrayed nozzles are used to improve printing resolution, then image quality is improved, but the size and cost of the power supply and ink supply source increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle array into multiple independently controllable groups, allowing the power supply to be designed for lower peak power requirements. Each group can be activated sequentially or in overlapping patterns, reducing the need for a large-capacity power supply while maintaining high-resolution printing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of nozzle group activation based on real-time printing conditions. The system adjusts which nozzle groups are active and when they operate, optimizing the balance between printing resolution and power supply requirements, thereby reducing the overall size and cost of the power supply system
3Productivity
If the number of nozzle operations is increased to maintain printing throughput, then printing speed is maintained, but density variations and seam lines occur degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nozzle array into multiple groups that can be activated in a staggered or overlapping sequence. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high printing throughput by having multiple nozzle groups working in parallel or succession, while each group operates at optimized duty cycles that prevent density variations and seam lines in the printed output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation patterns for different nozzle groups, where each group operates in cycles that are timed to overlap with adjacent groups. This periodic action maintains continuous printing coverage for high throughput while ensuring that no single nozzle group is over-driven, thereby preventing density variations and seam line defects
4Manufacturing precision
If ending nozzle dot deflection is corrected by adjusting printing conditions, then image quality is improved, but printing speed and throughput are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality correction by selectively adjusting printing parameters for specific nozzle groups that exhibit end nozzle dot deflection. Instead of reducing overall printing speed, the system locally modifies the activation patterns or timing for affected nozzle groups while maintaining full speed operation for unaffected groups, thereby correcting dot placement accuracy without sacrificing printing throughput
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 approach enables high-quality image printing across various mediums with minimized throughput reduction, eliminating the need for large power and ink supplies, thus maintaining efficiency and image quality while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a print head having a plurality of printing elements to convert an electric energy into an ink ejection energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention allows for creating high quality images by coping with a variety of kinds of print mediums without having to prepare large-sized, large-capacity power supply and ink supply source. For this purpose, this invention detects the number of printing elements to be driven in a predetermined check area set in one scan area of the print head. If the detected value is greater than a predetermined threshold, either the number of printing elements to be driven in one scan period of the print head or one scan period from when the print head starts the printing scan until the next printing scan is started is selected and changed according to the set printing condition and the printing operation is performed accordingly.