Inkjet Recording Head Cap Control for FPOT Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet recording systems face challenges in minimizing the First Print Out Time (FPOT) due to the prolonged exposure of nozzles to air during the uncapping process, leading to potential ink drying and reduced image recording quality.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with a controller that determines a standby period based on the interval between the receipt of a preceding command and a record command, and uses a moving mechanism to uncaps the recording head only after this period, ensuring the nozzles are covered for as short a time as possible, thereby reducing FPOT and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the cap is separated from the recording head to enable image recording, then the First Print Out Time is shortened, but the nozzles are exposed to air for longer periods causing ink drying and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary actions by separating the cap before the actual print job starts, based on prediction that a print job will be received. This allows the recording head to be ready in advance while minimizing the time the nozzles are exposed to air, thus reducing FPOT without significantly compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of cap separation based on predicted print job arrival. The controller determines optimal standby periods and separates the cap at the most favorable moment - early enough to minimize FPOT but late enough to prevent ink drying, creating a dynamic balance between the two conflicting requirements.
2Reliability
If the cap remains covered to prevent ink drying, then image recording quality is maintained, but the First Print Out Time increases due to delayed uncapping
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary cap separation based on prediction of incoming print jobs, so that when the actual print job arrives, the recording head is already exposed and ready to print immediately. This preliminary action reduces the FPOT while maintaining image quality by limiting the total exposure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from communication interface to detect when a print job is incoming, and adjusts the cap separation timing accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize the balance between keeping the cap covered (for quality) and separating it (for speed) based on real-time conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus, including a recording head with a nozzle, a cap, a moving mechanism to move at least one of the recording head and the cap, a communication interface, and a controller, is provided. In response to receipt of a preceding command from an information processing terminal through the communication interface, the controller determines a standby period based on a parameter being in correlation with a receiving interval between a preceding command and a record command. In response to elapse of the determined standby period, the controller controls the moving mechanism to uncap the recording head. In response to receipt of the record command from the information processing terminal, and in response to completion of the uncapping, the controller controls the recording head in accordance with the record command to discharge the ink from the nozzle to record the image on a medium.