Inkjet Printer Flushing Region Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printing devices face issues with ink drying and unstable discharge when nozzles are exposed to external air, and the conventional flushing operation often requires adjustments in sheet imposition due to insufficient flushing regions, especially with increased numbers of ink colors leading to more nozzles and larger flushing region needs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an ink-jet printing device with a control unit that performs flushing operations distributively across multiple candidate regions on the recording medium, allowing for efficient allocation of flushing regions even when a single large region is not available, by setting candidate regions at multiple places along the conveyance direction and prioritizing certain regions to avoid overlapping with finishing regions or positioning marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing operation is performed in a single margin region at the leading end or tail end, then the flushing operation can be performed, but the flushing region may overlap with the finishing region when the margin region width is insufficient, requiring adjustment of imposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flushing operation into multiple segments by performing flushing in a plurality of candidate regions distributed at different positions (leading end, tail end, and intermediate positions) along the conveyance direction. This segmentation allows the total flushing width requirement to be met without requiring a single large margin region, thereby avoiding overlap with finishing regions and reducing imposition restrictions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of ink colors is increased, then more nozzles are required, but the necessary width of the flushing region increases, making it difficult to find sufficient candidate regions without overlapping finishing regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the conveyance direction (longitudinal dimension) to distribute multiple candidate regions, transforming the problem from a two-dimensional area constraint into a one-dimensional linear distribution problem. By spreading candidate regions along the conveyance direction at leading end, tail end, and intermediate positions, the system can accommodate larger total flushing widths required for multiple ink colors without increasing the width constraint in the orthogonal direction, thus avoiding overlap with finishing regions.
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 reduces restrictions on sheet imposition, minimizes waste, and ensures stable ink discharge by efficiently allocating flushing regions across the recording medium, preventing nozzle clogs and maintaining print quality even with multiple ink colors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle configured to discharge an ink droplet onto a recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An ink-jet printing device according to the present invention includes at least one nozzle configured to discharge an ink droplet onto a recording medium conveyed in a conveyance direction, and a control unit to control flushing operation of the nozzle. Candidate regions are disposed at a plurality of places separated from each other in a conveyance direction of a cut sheet. The control unit controls the nozzle to perform the flushing operation in the candidate regions at a plurality of places in the conveyance direction of the cut sheet. With this configuration, the ink jet printing device can efficiently perform the flushing operation on a recording medium with reduced restriction on imposition.