Inkjet Nozzle Array Overlap Control for Uniform Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Color banding and gloss variations occur in serial type color inkjet printing due to the overlapping of nozzle arrays, especially when the number of nozzles used in high-quality mode is reduced, leading to increased print time and non-uniform ink application.
Innovation Solution
The operating nozzle areas of each nozzle array are set such that the overlapping area in the conveying direction becomes an integral multiple of the conveyance amount, allowing for partial overlap while maintaining uniform ink application across multiple nozzle arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of nozzles used in high-quality mode is reduced, then color banding and gloss variations are prevented, but print time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operating nozzle area of each nozzle array based on the print mode (high-quality or high-speed). In high-quality mode, the operating area is restricted to prevent color banding, while in high-speed mode, the full nozzle array is utilized. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between image quality and print speed without being constrained by a fixed nozzle configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of operating nozzle area depending on the print mode. By adjusting this parameter, the system can switch between high-quality mode (with restricted nozzle area to prevent color banding) and high-speed mode (with full nozzle area utilization), thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and print time.
2Area of stationary object
If nozzle arrays overlap in the conveying direction, then printing coverage is improved, but color banding and gloss variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different operating areas to different nozzle arrays based on their position and the print mode. In high-quality mode, the operating area of each nozzle array is locally adjusted to prevent overlapping that causes color banding, while still maintaining adequate printing coverage. This local quality adjustment allows the system to optimize both coverage and uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operating nozzle area of each nozzle array based on the print mode. In high-quality mode, the operating area is restricted to prevent color banding, while in high-speed mode, the full nozzle array is utilized. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between image quality and print speed without being constrained by a fixed nozzle configuration.
3Manufacturing precision
If multi-pass printing is performed to reduce color banding, then image uniformity is improved, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operating nozzle area based on the print mode, allowing single-pass high-speed printing to achieve uniform results without requiring multiple passes. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for multi-pass printing while maintaining image uniformity, thereby preserving throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating nozzle area parameter to achieve uniform ink application in a single pass, eliminating the need for multi-pass printing. By adjusting this parameter, the system can achieve both image uniformity and high throughput without the time-consuming multi-pass process.
Data Source
AI summary
In a serial type of color inkjet printing apparatus having a plurality of nozzle arrays, overlapping areas are provided in the respective operating nozzle areas, but printing of a high-quality image can be achieved without color banding and gloss variations accompanying non-uniformity in the ink application process. To attain this, while the operating nozzle areas of the plurality of nozzle arrays partially overlap with each other, the overlapping area of the operating nozzle area of each nozzle array is set to be equal to an integral multiple of the amount of conveyance. In consequence, the ink application process for the entire image area is made uniform.