Inkjet Recording Device Nozzle Deflection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face challenges in maintaining narrow character width during high-speed printing, leading to potential print failures due to widening character width, which existing techniques struggle to prevent effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inkjet recording device with multiple nozzles arranged orthogonally to the deflection direction, where each nozzle is independently controlled for charging voltage and timing, allowing for precise adjustment of print character height, start timing, and droplet usage rates to prevent character width widening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transfer speed of the print object is increased, then productivity is improved, but the character width of the printed result widens causing print failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the printing task across multiple nozzles (at least two nozzles for multi-line printing) and multiple charging voltage systems. Each nozzle has its own charging voltage system, allowing independent control of ink droplet charging and deflection timing. This segmentation enables precise control of character width even at high transfer speeds by adjusting the charging voltage application timing for each nozzle separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of charging voltage application timing for each nozzle. The controller adjusts the timing when charging voltage is applied to ink droplets from different nozzles based on the transfer speed of the print object. This dynamic adjustment ensures that character width remains consistent even as transfer speed varies, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
2Productivity
If multi-line printing with multiple nozzles is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple charging voltage systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single pair of deflection electrodes that serves all multiple nozzles simultaneously. This universal deflection system receives charged ink droplets from multiple nozzles and deflects them appropriately. Combined with the controller's ability to manage multiple charging voltage systems, this reduces overall device complexity while maintaining multi-line printing capability and high productivity.
3Productivity
If droplet usage rate is increased to 1/1, then productivity is improved, but the limit of droplet usage rate restricts further speedup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printing function across multiple nozzles, allowing the system to operate with multiple droplet streams simultaneously. This segmentation enables the system to achieve effective productivity increases beyond what a single nozzle at 1/1 droplet usage rate can provide, as multiple nozzles can each operate at optimal droplet usage rates while collectively delivering higher throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous printing operation across multiple nozzles with coordinated charging voltage application. By ensuring that each nozzle operates continuously with optimized droplet usage rates and that the deflection system continuously processes droplets from all nozzles, the system achieves sustained high productivity without the limitations of single-nozzle droplet usage rate constraints.
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 configuration ensures high-quality printing with consistent character width even at increased transfer speeds by aligning nozzle operations and adjusting charging voltages and timings, enhancing print reliability and reducing costs by simplifying the deflection electrode setup.
Implementation Method 1
charging electrodes which charge ink droplets jetted from the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a pair of deflection electrodes which deflect the charged ink droplets
Data Source
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AI summary
In an inkjet recording device, nozzles are arranged orthogonally to a deflection direction of deflection electrodes. Ink jetted from each nozzle is charged by a pair of charging electrodes. Charged droplets are deflected by an electric field formed thereby. Voltages applied to each electrode and timings thereof can be independently adjusted.