Inkjet Line Head Flushing Strategy for Viscosity and Quality Trade-offs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in maintaining optimal printing speed and image quality due to nozzle clogging caused by increased ink viscosity, and existing solutions either prioritize speed or quality over the other, failing to balance both effectively according to user demands and environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a line head, selection receiving unit, and control unit that allows users to select between speed and image quality priority modes, performing flushing operations on the printing medium or elsewhere based on viscosity conditions, movement speed, and environmental factors to maintain optimal balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flushing is performed on the printing sheet to improve printing speed, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to rectangular character and picture patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the flushing dot arrangement pattern-dependent on the image content. For images containing rectangular characters or pictures, a first dot arrangement is used that spaces flushing dots to avoid forming visible patterns. For other images, a second dot arrangement is used that prioritizes flushing effectiveness. This allows the system to adapt the flushing strategy to the local characteristics of the image being printed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically selecting between different dot arrangement patterns based on the analysis of the image content. The control unit analyzes whether the image contains rectangular characters or pictures and switches between the first and second dot arrangements accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both printing speed and image quality based on the specific printing task.
2Manufacturing precision
If flushing is performed on waste ink absorber to maintain image quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased printing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the flushing dot arrangement pattern-dependent on the image content. For images containing rectangular characters or pictures, a first dot arrangement is used that spaces flushing dots to avoid forming visible patterns. For other images, a second dot arrangement is used that prioritizes flushing effectiveness. This allows the system to adapt the flushing strategy to the local characteristics of the image being printed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically selecting between different dot arrangement patterns based on the analysis of the image content. The control unit analyzes whether the image contains rectangular characters or pictures and switches between the first and second dot arrangements accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both printing speed and image quality based on the specific printing task.
3Manufacturing precision
If dummy jet pattern dots are disposed randomly to prevent dot spread, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to pattern analysis requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the flushing dot arrangement pattern-dependent on the image content. For images containing rectangular characters or pictures, a first dot arrangement is used that spaces flushing dots to avoid forming visible patterns. For other images, a second dot arrangement is used that prioritizes flushing effectiveness. This allows the system to adapt the flushing strategy to the local characteristics of the image being printed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by analyzing the image content and using that information to determine the appropriate dot arrangement pattern. The control unit examines the image data to detect rectangular characters or pictures and adjusts the flushing dot arrangement accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to different image types without requiring manual intervention.
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 fast printing with minimal image quality degradation by adjusting flushing operations to match user demands and environmental conditions, preventing nozzle clogging while ensuring consistent print quality.
Implementation Method 1
discharging a liquid to a printing medium, thereby forming a dot on the printing medium
Implementation Method 2
moisture of the ink from the nozzle openings evaporates to increase the viscosity of the ink
Implementation Method 3
by performing so-called flushing, by the process of discharging the ink from each nozzle by force, it is preferable to prevent or remove clogging of the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus which can form an image formation dot for printing an image defined as an object to be printed on a printing medium, the printing apparatus comprising a line head which includes a nozzle array arraying a plurality of nozzles, by moving at least one of a printing medium and the head, in a direction intersecting a direction relatively changing a position of the printing medium and the head and a control unit which performs a specific operation forming a flushing dot besides the image formation dot by discharging a liquid on the line head, wherein, when a specific condition increasing viscosity of the liquid is satisfied, the control unit performs the specific operation of discharging the liquid to the printing medium and the specific operation of discharging the liquid to a place other than the printing medium.