Inkjet Recording Head Nozzle Overlap Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In full-line inkjet recording apparatuses, the staggered arrangement of nozzle arrays for different colors can lead to non-uniform image density, especially when overlapping portions are not correctly balanced, which is exacerbated in color imaging and increases the size of the recording apparatus to avoid overlapping.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet recording apparatus arranges recording heads with overlapping nozzle arrays in an intersecting direction, where the proportion and overlap width of certain color combinations are optimized to minimize non-uniform density and reduce the overall size of the apparatus by aligning overlapping portions of frequently used ink combinations in the nozzle array direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If overlapping portions for different colors are separated from each other in the nozzle array direction, then non-uniform density is reduced, but the length of the recording heads is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the arrangement strategy for overlapping portions based on color combination frequency. High-frequency color combinations (CMYK) have their overlapping portions separated in the nozzle array direction to prevent non-uniform density, while low-frequency combinations (light color inks) allow overlapping to reduce recording head length. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying density uniformity measures only where necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameter (overlap width in nozzle array direction) based on the frequency parameter of color combinations. By dynamically adjusting the overlap width parameter - making it smaller for high-frequency combinations and larger or zero for low-frequency combinations - the patent resolves the contradiction between density uniformity and recording head length.
2Productivity
If a plurality of chips are arranged in a staggered manner, then full-line recording is achieved, but non-uniform density occurs in overlapping portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating overlapping portions differently from non-overlapping portions. In overlapping portions where density non-uniformity occurs, the patent adjusts the nozzle array arrangement (separating high-frequency color overlaps) while maintaining the staggered arrangement in non-overlapping portions for full-line recording capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the concept of frequency-based classification as an intermediary criterion to mediate between the conflicting requirements of full-line recording and density uniformity. By classifying color combinations into high-frequency and low-frequency groups, the patent determines the appropriate overlap arrangement for each group, resolving the contradiction.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a recording apparatus including recording heads each including a plurality of nozzle arrays that are arranged so as to overlap, wherein the width with which the overlapping portions of the recording heads for colors that are simultaneously used with a relatively high frequency overlap in an intersecting direction that intersects an array direction of nozzles is smaller than the width with which the overlapping portions of the recording heads for colors that are simultaneously used with a relatively low frequency overlap in the intersecting direction.