Inkjet Nozzle Range Adjustment for Density Unevenness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording devices face density unevenness issues due to differences in recording conditions, which conventional correction methods struggle to fully address, especially when recording partial images using overlapping nozzle ranges.
Innovation Solution
A recording device and method that adjust the range of nozzles used for overlapping raster lines based on specific recording conditions, using a first range for standard conditions and a narrower second range when significant density differences occur, to minimize visibility of partial images and reduce density unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed correction value is used for density correction, then the correction process is simple, but the density unevenness cannot be fully corrected when recording conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the correction value adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically determines the correction value based on detected recording conditions (such as transport speed, nozzle status, or environmental factors), allowing the system to adapt to varying recording conditions and maintain accurate density correction across different operating scenarios.
2Reliability
If overlap nozzles are used to record common raster lines, then gaps between image regions are eliminated, but density difference between overlapping and non-overlapping regions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different regions of the recording medium differently. Specifically, the control unit identifies regions corresponding to overlap nozzles and applies specialized correction values to these local areas, while using different correction values for non-overlap regions. This localized approach ensures that density variations in specific regions are addressed appropriately, maintaining overall density uniformity while preserving the gap elimination benefit of overlap recording.
3Productivity
If correction is performed based on set correction value, then the process is efficient, but density unevenness remains visible when recording conditions differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating a detection unit that monitors recording conditions in real-time. The control unit uses this feedback information to adjust the correction value dynamically, ensuring that the correction remains accurate under varying conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain both efficiency and precision by making minimal adjustments based on actual recording conditions rather than relying solely on pre-set values.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device includes a recording head and a control unit. When recording a raster line forming a partial image of a image, using, of a nozzle row, a plurality of OL nozzles in a positional relationship to record a common raster line, the control unit performs recording using the OL nozzles of a first range, in a range of the OL nozzles in a first direction, when a recording condition is a first recording condition, and performs recording using the OL nozzles of a second range narrower than the first range, of the range of the OL nozzles in the first direction, when the recording condition is a second recording condition in which a density difference, in the image, between the partial image and an image other than the partial image is greater than in the first recording condition.