Inkjet Recording Apparatus Conveyance Control for Slip Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with conveyance errors and image quality due to slip between conveyance rollers, especially when using recording media of different types and varying humidity environments, leading to inconsistent platen suction pressure and resulting image deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the drive amount of the conveyance unit based on generated power to correct for conveyance errors, utilizing a platen with adjustable suction pressure and multiple conveyance rollers to maintain consistent conveyance and prevent slip, incorporating a control system that accounts for temperature and humidity to optimize platen suction pressure for different media types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the discharge roller diameter is increased to prevent recording medium slack, then the conveyance speed increases, but the holding force decreases causing slip at the downstream side conveyance unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the diameter parameter of the discharge roller to increase conveyance speed, accepting the trade-off of reduced holding force. This parameter modification resolves the contradiction by prioritizing speed while managing the slip issue through other means.
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle height is lowered to reduce ink impact position deviation, then image quality improves, but the recording medium may contact the discharge port face causing head breakage or staining
Solution Approach 1:
The suction platen applies negative pressure to the recording medium before ink discharge, preventing the medium from floating up and contacting the discharge port face. This preliminary counter-action eliminates the harmful effect while allowing low nozzle height for precise ink placement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the suction platen negative pressure is increased to regulate recording medium flotation, then conveyance stability improves, but power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction platen's negative pressure is dynamically adjusted based on the detected conveyance state. When conveyance is stable, pressure is reduced to save power; when instability is detected, pressure is increased to maintain stability. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between stability and energy consumption.
4Measurement precision
If the conveyance roller rotation amount is increased to compensate for slip, then conveyance amount accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from conveyance state detection to automatically adjust the conveyance roller rotation amount. This closed-loop control compensates for slip and maintains accuracy without requiring complex manual calibration or multiple sensors, resolving the contradiction between precision and simplicity.
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
The solution achieves precise conveyance correction and improved image quality by dynamically adjusting the conveyance system to account for varying environmental conditions and media types, reducing conveyance errors and maintaining consistent platen suction pressure.
Implementation Method 1
By exhausting air from the inside of the platen using a fan, negative pressure is produced. By the pressure, the recording medium can be attracted and held on the recording medium contact surface of the platen.
Implementation Method 2
The conveyance roller is a metallic roller formed to have fine uneven shapes on the surface to produce a large frictional force.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus capable of obtaining an image with good quality even if platen suction pressure for reducing sheet floatation is different. The apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a recording medium, a platen configured to hold the recording medium at a position facing the recording head, a generation unit configured to generate power to attract the recording medium on the platen, and a control unit configured to correct a drive amount of the conveyance unit based on the generated power.