Inkjet Nozzle Control for Background Color Pre-Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in efficiently switching between background image pre-printing and post-printing regions, where the background image is formed before or after the color image, requiring a method to suitably manage the printing of these regions on a single medium.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with aligned nozzle rows for background and color inks, a moving section to intersect these nozzles, and a control section to alternate the printing direction, allowing for seamless switching between background image pre-printing and post-printing on a single medium by adjusting the ejection and landing of inks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the printing apparatus uses separate nozzle rows for background image and color image, then the printing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus divides the nozzle system into multiple independent nozzle rows (upstream background, downstream background, upstream color, downstream color) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows precise control over the printing sequence and ink ejection timing, enabling the apparatus to switch between background image pre-printing and post-printing modes while maintaining high printing precision through coordinated operation of segmented nozzle units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printing apparatus switches between background image pre-printing and post-printing regions, then the adaptability is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control section pre-configures the printing sequence by determining whether to perform background image pre-printing or post-printing based on the designated printing region. The apparatus prepares the appropriate nozzle rows in advance and coordinates their activation to minimize transition time. This preliminary action enables rapid switching between printing modes without significant time loss, while maintaining high adaptability to different printing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus maintains continuous operation by seamlessly transitioning between background image pre-printing and post-printing modes. The control section ensures that ink ejection from different nozzle rows is coordinated continuously, eliminating idle time between printing operations. This continuity of useful action allows the apparatus to adapt to various printing scenarios while minimizing time loss through uninterrupted printing flow.
3Productivity
If the printing apparatus uses multiple nozzle rows aligned along the transport direction, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing apparatus merges multiple nozzle rows (upstream background, downstream background, upstream color, downstream color) into a single integrated printing system that operates in coordination. The control section synchronizes the operation of these merged nozzle rows to enable efficient switching between printing modes. This merging approach increases productivity by allowing parallel ink ejection from multiple nozzle rows while managing device complexity through unified control and coordination mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A control section is included which performs a background image pre-printing which enables each ink to be ejected from the upstream side background color nozzle row and the downstream side color nozzle row and can land the color ink after landing the background color ink on the medium in a region concerning the transport direction, and a background image post-printing which enables each ink to be ejected from the upstream side color nozzle row and the downstream side background color nozzle row and can land the background color ink after landing the color ink on the medium in a region concerning the transport direction, the control section performing the printing so as to switch over the background image pre-printing and the background image post-printing on one medium.