Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Adjustment Pattern for Inspection Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet printing apparatuses require inspecting multiple inspection patterns to acquire proper correction values for ink ejection timing, leading to complex and inefficient inspection processes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus that forms an adjustment pattern with a first pattern and a second pattern intersecting in a specific direction, allowing for the identification of proper correction values from a single scale near the intersecting point, thereby simplifying and streamlining the inspection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple inspection patterns are used to acquire proper correction values for ink ejection timing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and inspection time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection pattern is segmented into multiple scales arranged in a specific geometric configuration. Each scale represents a different correction value, and the scales are positioned to create distinct intersecting points with the first pattern. This segmentation allows the operator to identify the proper correction value by examining only the relevant scale at the intersecting point, rather than inspecting all scales across multiple patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of inspection patterns to a two-dimensional geometric arrangement. The first pattern extends in a first direction while the second pattern extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, creating intersecting points that provide direct visual access to the proper correction value. This dimensional change eliminates the need to inspect multiple linear patterns sequentially.
2Measurement precision
If multiple inspection patterns are inspected to acquire proper correction values, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection pattern is pre-configured with multiple scales representing different correction values, arranged in a geometric configuration where the proper correction value can be directly identified at the intersecting point. This preliminary arrangement of information allows the operator to immediately locate the correct correction value without time-consuming sequential inspection of multiple patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging the inspection pattern in two dimensions with intersecting first and second patterns, the invention enables direct visual access to the proper correction value at the intersecting point. This eliminates the need to inspect multiple linear patterns in sequence, significantly reducing inspection time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If extra inspection patterns corresponding to improper correction values are inspected, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and highlights only the relevant information needed for correction value determination. By positioning the scales representing different correction values along intersecting patterns, the proper correction value is directly accessible at the intersecting point. This extraction of essential information eliminates the need to inspect extra patterns corresponding to improper correction values, thereby improving inspection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-dimensional geometric arrangement with intersecting patterns allows the proper correction value to be directly identified at the intersecting point without inspecting other areas. This dimensional reorganization extracts the critical information from the context of multiple inspection patterns, enabling rapid identification and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that ejects ink onto a medium, a transport unit that transports the medium, and a control unit that forms an adjustment pattern on the medium, and the control unit forms, as the adjustment pattern, a pattern including a first pattern that is formed in a transport direction, a plurality of scales that are formed in the transport direction, and a second pattern that is formed at a position corresponding to the scales in the transport direction while the position thereof in a main-scanning direction that intersects the transport direction is changed.