Inkjet Head Flushing in Print Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face inefficiencies in using the print medium due to the need for a separate area for flushing, which reduces the effective use of the print area and requires additional space and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The ink discharging device and method control the inkjet head to perform flushing of non-black inks within the black-color print area on the print medium, allowing for efficient use of the medium without the need for a dedicated flushing area, by determining and managing the flushing data to avoid ink overlap and optimize nozzle performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing is performed at a separate area on the print medium, then nozzle performance is maintained, but print medium utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flushing operation with the image printing operation by performing both flushing and image formation at the same print area on the print medium. This combination eliminates the need for separate flushing areas, thereby improving print medium utilization efficiency while maintaining nozzle performance through proper flushing procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the print area serve multiple functions: both image printing and nozzle flushing. By designing the system to perform flushing at the same area where images are printed, the print area becomes a multi-functional zone that accomplishes both maintenance and production tasks, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Reliability
If flushing is performed at a separate area, then ink discharge performance is maintained, but the printer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flushing function with the existing image printing function, eliminating the need for separate flushing mechanisms or dedicated flushing areas. This merging approach maintains ink discharge performance while simplifying the overall printer structure by removing redundant components.
3Productivity
If flushing and image printing are performed at the same area, then print medium efficiency is improved, but ink overlap may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs flushing operations before image printing at the same print area. By conducting the flushing action in advance and then proceeding with image formation, the system ensures that any flushed ink is properly positioned or removed before new ink is discharged for printing, thereby preventing unwanted ink overlap and maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic flushing cycles interspersed with printing operations at the same print area. This periodic approach allows the system to maintain nozzles by flushing at intervals while continuing to print images, ensuring that flushing and printing are coordinated in time to prevent ink overlap and maintain both print medium efficiency and image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink discharging device may comprise a head that is configured to print an image by discharging black ink and ink other than the black ink onto a print medium. The ink discharging device may further comprise a print controller that is configured to control the head such that the image is printed on the print medium on the basis of print data. The print controller may be configured to control the head such that flushing of the ink other than the black ink is performed at a black-color print area on the print medium onto which the head discharges the black ink on the basis of the print data.