Inkjet Dot Formation Control for Borderless Mist Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional borderless recording techniques fail to adequately suppress issues caused by small ink droplets, which generate mist that can stain recording media and contaminate printing apparatus components.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that classifies dot formation states into different types and applies specific drive pulse signals to the pressure applying section to prevent the ejection of small ink droplets in edge printing areas, while allowing them in interior areas, using a combination of first and second type dots and special dots to manage ink droplet size and placement effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If ink droplets are ejected over a range larger than the recording medium to achieve borderless recording, then the image coverage is improved, but mist is generated that permeates the recording apparatus and causes contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage coverage areaVSAvoidmist generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different dot formation strategies to different regions: in the edge printing area (outside the recording sheet), only first type dots are formed without small ink droplets, while in the interior printing area (inside the recording sheet), both first type and second type dots are formed including small ink droplets. This local differentiation suppresses mist generation at edges while maintaining image quality in the interior region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If techniques are used to reduce the frequency of small ink droplet ejection in edge areas, then mist generation is reduced, but image quality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemist generationVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements region-specific dot formation: the edge printing area uses only first type dots (without small ink droplets) to suppress mist, while the interior printing area uses both first type and second type dots (including small ink droplets) to maintain high image quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between mist suppression and image quality preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If small ink droplets are ejected to achieve fine dot formation, then printing precision is improved, but mist is generated that stains recording media and contaminates apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedot formation precisionVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different dot types based on location: first type dots (without small ink droplets) are used in the edge printing area to prevent contamination, while second type dots (with small ink droplets for fine precision) are used in the interior printing area where they contribute to image quality without causing staining or apparatus contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Area of stationary object

If conventional borderless recording is implemented, then edge coverage is improved, but reliability is reduced due to mist permeation and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge coverageVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains borderless recording capability by forming first type dots in the edge printing area that provide adequate coverage without generating mist. This regional differentiation preserves the edge coverage benefit while eliminating the reliability issues caused by mist permeation and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 significantly reduces the occurrence of small ink droplets outside the recording sheet, minimizing mist formation and contamination, thereby enhancing the reliability and quality of borderless printing.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure applying section configured to apply pressure to ink to eject the ink droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The pressure applying section includes a piezoelectric element that changes shape in response to an applied voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10137681B2Image processing apparatus generating print data including dot formation states for respective pixels by using image data

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

In an image processing apparatus, a controller generates print data using target image data. The print data represents dot formation states classified for respective pixels. Each dot formation state is classified into a one of a plurality of dot types. The controller determines a dot type from a plurality of dot types including a first type dot and second type dot. The first type dot is formed by a first process for supplying a pressure applying section with a specific signal. The second type dot is formed by a second process that is not for supplying the pressure applying section with the specific signal. The first type dot is to be formed in an edge printing area. The first type dot is not to be formed but the second type dot is to be formed in an interior printing area.