Inkjet Nozzle Failure Detection via Pre-Processing Agent Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image recording apparatuses face challenges in detecting ejection failures in pre-processing agent nozzles, especially when using transparent or less visible pre-processing agents, as it is difficult to distinguish between well-coated and poorly coated regions, leading to inaccurate nozzle failure detection.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a method where pre-processing agents are ejected onto the entire recording medium, followed by ink from corresponding nozzles forming a failure detection printing pattern with a time lag between adjacent nozzles, allowing for detection of ejection failures by observing bleeding in the printing pattern, which is enhanced by using multiple ink colors to increase accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a less visible pre-processing agent (transparent or substantially transparent) is used, then the visibility of the pre-processing agent on the recording medium is reduced, but the ability to detect ejection failure in nozzles is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ink as an intermediary substance that reacts differently depending on the presence of pre-processing agent. The ink serves as a mediator to indirectly detect the ejection failure of the invisible pre-processing agent by creating visible differences in ink behavior (bleeding patterns) on the recording medium surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of using a less visible pre-processing agent (inability to detect ejection failure) into a beneficial detection method. By intentionally creating a situation where ink bleeding occurs only when pre-processing agent is properly applied, the invisibility of the pre-processing agent becomes advantageous for creating a clear contrast in the detection pattern.
2Measurement precision
If ink is ejected from adjacent nozzles at different times to form test patterns, then the ability to detect individual nozzle performance is improved, but the complexity of the detection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-processing agent to the recording medium before ejecting ink for detection. This preliminary action modifies the recording medium surface in advance, creating conditions where subsequent ink ejection will reveal nozzle performance differences through bleeding patterns, simplifying the overall detection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local variations in the recording medium surface by applying pre-processing agent in specific patterns (e.g., line patterns or grid patterns) that correspond to individual nozzle positions. This allows each nozzle's performance to be evaluated independently based on local ink bleeding characteristics in its corresponding region.
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 method effectively detects ejection failures in pre-processing agent nozzles by identifying regions with ink bleeding, providing higher accuracy and reliability, even with less visible pre-processing agents, thereby ensuring proper nozzle functioning and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-processing agent which is a material constituting the ink receiving layer is applied onto an arbitrary region on the recording medium based on inkjet technology
Implementation Method 2
ejecting ink of a first color for image recording from the plurality of ink ejection nozzles based on inkjet technology
Data Source
AI summary
The ejection positions of a plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles and the ejection positions of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles as seen in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of a recording medium are in a one-to-one correspondence with each other. A controller causes the process of ejecting ink of a first color from the ink ejection nozzles onto the recording medium subjected to the ejection from the plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles so as to form a failure detection printing pattern which is a printing pattern formed by providing a time lag between the processes of ejecting the ink from adjacent ones of the plurality of ink ejection nozzles. An ejection failure in the pre-processing agent ejection nozzles is detected by judging that a pre-processing agent ejection nozzle corresponding to a region where bleeding results suffers the ejection failure.