Inkjet Recording Apparatus Illuminance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining optimal light emitting efficiency and accurately determining the life of low output light sources, leading to inconsistent image quality due to unstable illuminance and user burden in detecting and addressing light source degradation.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording apparatus with an intermittently detecting illuminance device, temperature adjusting mechanism, and control unit that calculates illuminance-change-rate to determine when illuminance has stabilized and adjusts temperatures to maintain peak efficiency, preventing image recording when illuminance drops below reference values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a low output ultraviolet light source is used to cure cation curable ink, then energy consumption is reduced and the ink can be cured with low illuminance, but the light emitting efficiency becomes unstable due to temperature changes causing inconsistent image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by actively controlling the temperature of the ultraviolet light source to maintain it within a predetermined range. The control unit adjusts operational parameters of the light source based on detected temperature values, ensuring the light emitting efficiency remains stable despite environmental temperature variations or aging effects.
2Measurement precision
If illuminance detection is performed continuously, then accurate light source life determination is achieved, but the device complexity and detection time increase due to waiting for illuminance stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing illuminance detection at specific timing points - after the light source has been operating for a predetermined period when stabilization is expected. This allows accurate measurement without requiring continuous monitoring or complex stabilization waiting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs illuminance detection periodically at predetermined time intervals rather than continuously. This periodic detection approach maintains measurement accuracy for light source life determination while significantly reducing device complexity and operational overhead.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light irradiating device is positioned close to the recording head to reduce ink drying time, then image quality is improved by preventing dot enlargement and bleeding, but the light source may cure ink on the nozzle surface causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating the light irradiation function from the recording head assembly. The light irradiating device is positioned independently at a location optimized for curing effectiveness, while the recording head maintains its nozzle structure without direct light exposure that would cause ink curing on the nozzle surface.
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
Ensures consistent high-quality images by maintaining optimal light emitting efficiency and accurately determining light source life, reducing user burden by automatically reporting and controlling image recording based on illuminance levels.
Implementation Method 1
ink which is cured by irradiating the light
Implementation Method 2
an illuminance detecting device for intermittently detecting the illuminance of the light emitted from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head formed with nozzles for jetting light curable ink onto a recording medium, a light irradiator having a light source for emitting light to cure the ink, and an illuminance detecting device for intermittently detecting an illuminance of the light emitted from the light source, at a predetermined interval. The inkjet recording apparatus further includes a temperature adjusting device for adjusting a temperature of the light source, and a control section for determining that the ink cannot be cured, if the illuminance detected by the illuminance detecting device is not higher than a reference value in a condition where the temperature of the light source has been adjusted into a predetermined range by the temperature adjusting device.