Inkjet Head Nozzle Position Deviation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording apparatuses struggle to correct deviations in recording positions between nozzle arrays in the conveying direction, leading to reduced image quality when recording line images like ruled lines or bar codes, due to variations in conveyance speed, which requires complex and costly circuit structures to adjust ink ejection timing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a conveying mechanism, a liquid ejection head, and a controller that divides the conveyance section into different sections based on conveyance speed, adjusts image data to correct for position deviations by shifting dot element orders and density values, allowing for accurate ink droplet ejection assuming a predetermined conveyance speed, thereby simplifying the configuration and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the ink ejection timing is adjusted to correct position deviations between nozzle arrays, then the image quality is improved, but the circuit structure becomes complicated and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reference nozzle array to establish a standard ejection timing, then applies this reference timing to all other nozzle arrays. Instead of independently adjusting each nozzle array's timing through complex circuits, the system creates a reference copy of timing data and uses it uniformly across all arrays, significantly simplifying the control circuit while maintaining position accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from dynamically adjusting ejection timing parameters for each nozzle array to using a fixed reference timing parameter. By converting the timing control from a variable parameter that requires complex adjustment circuits to a constant reference parameter, the system achieves position deviation correction without increasing circuit complexity
2Productivity
If multiple nozzle arrays are arranged in the conveying direction to increase recording width, then the productivity is improved, but the position deviation between nozzle arrays increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording head into multiple independent nozzle arrays arranged in the conveying direction, allowing each array to function independently with the same reference timing. This segmentation enables increased recording width while maintaining position accuracy through uniform timing application across all segments
Solution Approach 2:
The reference timing established from one nozzle array serves universally for all other nozzle arrays. This multi-functional reference timing mechanism allows the same timing parameter to be applied across multiple nozzle arrays, ensuring consistent positioning despite the increased recording width achieved through multiple arrays
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus corrects image data by: setting a to-be-corrected dot element; acquiring a correction amount based on an offset between a formation position at which a dot corresponding to the to-be-corrected dot element is to be formed on a recording medium while the recording medium is conveyed the reference conveyance amount per unit time and a formation position at which a dot corresponding to the to-be-corrected dot element is to be formed while the recording medium is conveyed a conveyance amount different from the reference conveyance amount per unit time; and executing correction on the to-be-corrected dot element. The correction is executed by setting a density value for the to-be-corrected dot element as that for corresponding one dot element whose data array order is shifted from a data array order of the to-be-corrected dot element by the number of dot elements corresponding to the correction amount.