Inkjet Nozzle Ink Concentration Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies face challenges in maintaining uniform image density due to ink concentration variations within nozzles, leading to density unevenness in printed images, as existing methods assume complete discharge of concentrated ink in a single ejection, neglecting gradual concentration changes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method that calculates and corrects ink concentration levels in nozzles by generating multivalued data and ejection parameters for adjacent pixels, using lookup tables and ink concentration integrated values to adjust signal values and ensure accurate ink ejection, thereby stabilizing image density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink is ejected from a nozzle with low ejection frequency, then the nozzle can maintain readiness for printing, but the volatile component of ink inside the ejection port may vaporize to concentrate the ink, causing increased image density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preliminary ejections (flushing) before actual printing to remove concentrated ink from the nozzle. The control unit determines whether preliminary ejection is necessary based on the number of non-ejections since the last flushing operation, and executes preliminary ejections at appropriate timing to prevent concentration-related density issues before they affect printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the number of non-ejections since the last flushing operation and using this information to determine when preliminary ejections are needed. The control unit tracks ejection history and adjusts flushing timing based on this feedback, creating a dynamic system that responds to actual nozzle conditions rather than using fixed schedules.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ink concentration increase is corrected by adjusting signal values, then image density can be substantially equivalent to non-concentrated ink printing, but density unevenness may occur when multiple ejections are required to discharge concentrated ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing preliminary ejections (flushing) before actual printing to remove concentrated ink from the nozzle. The control unit determines whether preliminary ejection is necessary based on the number of non-ejections since the last flushing operation, and executes preliminary ejections at appropriate timing to prevent concentration-related density issues before they affect printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the flushing operation timing adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines when flushing is needed based on the number of non-ejections since the last flushing operation, allowing the system to respond to varying printing patterns and nozzle conditions in real-time.
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
This approach effectively stabilizes image density by accurately accounting for ink concentration changes, preventing density unevenness and ensuring consistent image quality across printed images.
Implementation Method 1
a volatile component of ink inside the ejection port may vaporize to concentrate the ink
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and inkjet printing method that can, regardless of an ejection frequency of a print head, stabilize density of an image expressed on a print medium. For this purpose, an ink concentration integrated value is obtained according to the ejection history of each nozzle so as to be increased by data indicating non-ejection of the nozzle or decreased by data indicating ejection. Then, image data on the target pixel is corrected such that density of the target pixel is further reduced as the pixel is subjected to printing by a nozzle having a higher ink concentration integrated value.