Inkjet Printer Gap Interpolation for Wave-Shaped Sheets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in accurately discharging ink droplets onto wave-shaped recording sheets due to varying gaps between the ink discharging surface and the recording sheet, leading to positional deviations and low-quality printed images.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system that includes an inkjet head, a head moving unit, a wave shape generating mechanism, and a control device capable of acquiring and interpolating gap information between the ink discharging surface and the recording sheet, allowing for precise adjustment of ink discharging timing based on the calculated gap information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the recording sheet is deformed in a wave shape to enable printing on non-flat surfaces, then the adaptability of the inkjet printer is improved, but the manufacturing precision of ink droplet placement deteriorates due to varying gaps between the ink discharging surface and the recording sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The recording sheet is divided into multiple sections along the head moving direction, with each section corresponding to a specific gap value. The printing process is segmented to discharge ink droplets at different timings for different sections, allowing precise placement on wave-shaped surfaces while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The ink discharging timing is dynamically adjusted based on the gap information of each section. The control device changes the discharge timing according to the varying gap between the ink discharging surface and different portions of the wave-shaped recording sheet, maintaining precision across different surface geometries
2Manufacturing precision
If the ink discharging timing is adjusted for each portion of the wave-shaped recording sheet to improve print quality, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need to acquire and process gap information
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires gap information by detecting the position of mountain portions and valley portions on the wave-shaped recording sheet during the printing process. The control device self-adjusts the ink discharging timing based on detected gap variations, reducing the need for external measurement devices and simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously monitors the gap between the ink discharging surface and the recording sheet by detecting mountain and valley portions, and uses this feedback information to adjust ink discharging timing in real-time, maintaining precision without requiring complex pre-calibration systems
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple pieces of gap information are acquired for different sections of the recording sheet to improve print quality, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the extended gap information acquisition process
Solution Approach 1:
The system acquires gap information for multiple sections in advance during a preliminary scanning phase before actual printing begins. The control device stores this gap information and uses it during the printing process, allowing rapid ink discharge timing adjustments without real-time measurement delays
Solution Approach 2:
The gap information acquisition process is merged with the printing process by detecting mountain and valley portions during the normal operation cycle. Multiple gap measurements are combined into a single comprehensive gap information set that guides the entire printing process, reducing redundant measurements and time loss
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer is provided that is configured to store a plurality of pieces of gap information respectively corresponding to a plurality of examined sections discretely arranged along a head moving direction on a recording sheet, each of the plurality of examined sections including a corresponding one portion of top portions and bottom portions on the recording sheet, and calculate interpolation gap information to be interpolated over a whole width in the head moving direction of at least one of a plurality of segments, each of which has a width in the head moving direction defined by two adjacent sections of the plurality of examined sections, based on the stored gap information.