Inkjet Head Segmentation for Colored Product Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for shaping colored objects using inkjet technology face challenges in achieving high-quality coloration and design accuracy, particularly in forming inner and surface regions with precise thickness and color representation.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing method utilizing multiple color inkjet heads and a colorless inkjet head to form overlapping regions with predetermined thickness, allowing for high-designability and high-accuracy coloring by combining color ink and clear ink, with the option to use light-reflecting ink for enhanced visual effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single inkjet head is used to form colored regions, then the device structure is simple, but the coloring quality and design accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet system is segmented into multiple independent inkjet heads, each responsible for specific ink types (colorless ink, color inks). This segmentation allows each head to be optimized for its specific function, improving coloring precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-layer to multi-layer ink deposition by stacking multiple inkjet heads in the vertical dimension. This enables precise control of ink layer thickness and composition, achieving high-quality coloring through layered structure rather than relying on a single complex head
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple layers of color ink are deposited to achieve desired thickness, then the color depth is improved, but the thickness control accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ink deposition process is segmented into distinct functional layers: a colorless ink layer for thickness control and optical properties, and separate color ink layers for coloration. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's thickness and composition, achieving precise overall thickness control while maintaining device manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The colorless ink acts as an intermediary layer between the substrate and color ink layers. This intermediary layer provides a controlled foundation that facilitates precise thickness management and improves the overall coloring accuracy by decoupling thickness control from color deposition
3Adaptability or versatility
If only color ink is used for forming regions, then the process is simple, but the designability and visual quality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct stages: first depositing colorless ink layers for structural and optical foundation, then depositing color ink layers for visualization. This segmentation enhances designability by allowing independent control of physical properties and aesthetic properties, while the standardized multi-stage process remains manufacturable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite ink structures combining colorless ink and color ink in specific layer configurations. This composite approach enables versatile design outcomes by mixing functional properties (from colorless ink) with aesthetic properties (from color ink), creating products with both desired performance and visual quality
4Manufacturing precision
If the inner colored region is formed with color ink only, then the process is straightforward, but the thickness uniformity and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The colorless ink serves as an intermediary foundation layer that provides uniform thickness control for the inner colored region. This intermediary layer ensures consistent substrate preparation before color ink deposition, achieving superior thickness uniformity while the standardized two-ink process remains manageable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of colored products with high-quality, precise color representation and design, allowing for diverse and accurate coloration of inner and surface regions, and the ability to form three-dimensional objects with enhanced visual depth and detail.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of color ink heads which are a plurality of inkjet heads that eject color inks different from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing method for manufacturing a colored product, where using inkjet heads which are a plurality of color ink heads, and an inkjet head, which is a colorless ink head, a plurality of coloring regions are formed in an overlapping manner in a normal direction, a surface side colored region, which is a region located closest to the surface of the colored product is formed using at least the color ink ejected from any of the inkjet heads, and an inner colored region, which is a region located farther from the surface of the colored product than the surface side colored region is formed using at least the color ink ejected from any of the inkjet heads and the colorless ink ejected from the inkjet head.