Inkjet Recording Nozzle Position Adjustment via Detection Patches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the relative application position of colored inks and transparent or white imparting materials due to difficulties in detection by density sensors, leading to potential misalignment and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a control unit forming detection patches on the medium, using a combination of ink and imparting materials, and a detection unit measuring reflected light to determine the relative adjustment amount, allowing for precise adjustment of the application position between nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transparent or white imparting materials are used to improve image quality and glossiness, then color development and photograph image quality are improved, but detection by density sensors becomes difficult leading to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a colored ink as an intermediary substance that is applied together with the transparent or white imparting material. This colored ink serves as a detection marker that enables the optical sensor to detect the application position of the otherwise undetectable transparent/white material, thereby resolving the detection difficulty while maintaining the image quality benefits of the imparting materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by applying colored ink in conjunction with transparent or white imparting materials. The colored ink provides visual contrast that allows optical sensors to detect the application position, while the transparent/white imparting materials maintain their function of improving glossiness and color development without being detected themselves
2Measurement precision
If different detection methods are used for colored ink and imparting materials, then detection capability is improved, but detection errors occur due to optical axis misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection target by using the colored ink as a common reference for both density sensor and optical sensor detection. Instead of detecting colored ink and transparent/white material separately with different methods, the colored ink serves as a unified detection target that both sensor types can detect, eliminating optical axis misalignment errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates homogeneity in detection methodology by ensuring that the colored ink component can be detected by both density sensors and optical sensors using the same detection principle. This homogeneous detection approach across different sensor types eliminates the reliability issues caused by optical axis misalignment between different detection methods
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 suppresses detection errors and enhances sensitivity, enabling accurate adjustment of relative application positions between different types of patterns, thereby improving image quality and reducing misalignment.
Implementation Method 1
the detection unit detects information indicating a relative position between the first detection patch and the second detection patch in a predetermined direction based on a measurement result of reflected light when areas respectively including the first and the second detection patches formed on the recording medium by the recording unit are irradiated with light
Data Source
AI summary
A pattern of a first ink is formed on a recording medium using a first nozzle, a difference between smoothness of a surface at an edge portion of the pattern of the first ink in a predetermined direction and smoothness of a peripheral area of the pattern of the first ink on the recording medium is increased by applying another imparting material different from the first ink on the pattern of the first ink and a first adjustment pattern is formed, a second adjustment pattern of a predetermined imparting material is formed on the recording medium using a second nozzle, and a detection unit detects information by measuring specular reflected light when areas respectively including the first and the second adjustment patterns are each irradiated with light.