Inkjet Nozzle Dryness Control Using Dual Lookup Tables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nozzles configured to eject special color ink are prone to drying and ejection failure due to infrequent use, leading to increased likelihood of malfunction.

Innovation Solution

A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus with a controller that switches between first and second lookup tables based on nozzle dryness, allowing periodic ejection of special color ink to overlap with first ink in regions where it is not necessary, thereby reducing drying and ejection failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If nozzles for special color ink are used infrequently, then printing cost is reduced, but nozzle drying and ejection failure occur more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage frequency of special color inkVSAvoidnozzle ejection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by controlling the ejection of special color ink at predetermined intervals even when not required for printing. The controller ejects special color ink periodically from nozzles to prevent drying and maintain reliability, resolving the contradiction between reduced usage frequency and maintained ejection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of substance

If special color ink is ejected only when necessary, then ink consumption is reduced, but nozzle drying increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecial color ink consumptionVSAvoidnozzle drying

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by ejecting special color ink in advance before the nozzles are likely to dry completely. The controller performs preliminary ejection actions at predetermined intervals to prevent drying from occurring during periods of low or no printing demand, thus reducing harmful effects while minimizing ink consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring nozzles remain functional through periodic ejection. Even when special color ink is not needed for printing, the system continues to eject small amounts periodically to maintain nozzle functionality, preventing the harmful effect of drying while keeping ink consumption minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20260004097A1Liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, liquid droplet ejecting method, and medium storing program for liquid droplet ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes an ejection head having first nozzles configured to eject a first liquid to a printing medium and second nozzles configured to eject a second liquid different from the first liquid to the printing medium; a memory; and a controller. The memory stores a first lookup table for converting image data into first printing data for using only the first liquid and a second lookup table for converting the image data into second printing data for using both of the first liquid and the second liquid. The controller is configured to cause the ejection head to eject liquid droplets to the printing medium based on the first lookup table or the second lookup table, depending on dryness of the second nozzles.