Inkjet Nozzle Selection by Sheet Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently identifying and isolating malfunctioning nozzles, such as clogged or damaged ones, which affect print quality and efficiency, as existing systems lack precise methods to differentiate between functioning and non-functioning nozzles during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a reading section to generate sheet data, a computing section to determine nozzle positions, and a selection section to choose active nozzles based on sheet edge positions, forming a test pattern to identify non-ejecting nozzles by masking unused nozzles and forming an examination image using only the selected nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If all nozzles are used for printing, then printing coverage is maximized, but ink deposition outside the sheet area occurs reducing print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle array is segmented into used nozzles and unused nozzles based on sheet position detection. The controller selectively activates only the used nozzles that correspond to the actual sheet area, preventing ink deposition from unused nozzles while maintaining coverage across the sheet surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different nozzles are assigned different operational states (used/unused) based on their spatial relationship to the sheet edges. This local differentiation ensures that nozzles in regions where sheet presence is confirmed are activated, while nozzles in regions where no sheet is detected remain inactive, optimizing both coverage and precision.
2Productivity
If malfunctioning nozzles are not identified, then printing continues without interruption, but print quality deteriorates due to clogged or damaged nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of sheet presence and nozzle functionality before initiating the printing process. By detecting which nozzles are actually needed based on sheet position and verifying their operational status in advance, the system prevents quality issues from developing during printing while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reading section continuously provides feedback about sheet position and presence to the controller, which adjusts nozzle activation in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify and isolate malfunctioning nozzles by comparing expected vs. actual ink deposition patterns, maintaining print quality without interrupting productivity.
3Productivity
If sheet position is not accurately detected, then nozzle selection is imprecise, but the printing process can proceed without additional detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A reading section serves as an intermediary between the sheet and the nozzle selection system. This intermediary component accurately detects sheet presence and position, providing precise data to the controller for determining which nozzles should be activated, thereby enabling both high speed and high precision in the printing process.
4Device complexity
If unused nozzles are not masked, then the system structure remains simple, but ink waste occurs reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines and masks unused nozzles based on real-time sheet position detection without requiring manual intervention or complex additional hardware. The controller self-adjusts nozzle activation patterns to eliminate ink waste from unused nozzles while maintaining simple overall system architecture through software-based control.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a plurality of nozzles, storage, a first reading section, a first computing section, a selection section, and a controller. The storage stores first information and first pattern image data representing a first pattern image. The first reading section scans a sheet to generate sheet data. The first computing section computes positions of both edge portions of the sheet in a main scanning direction based on the sheet data. The selection section selects a plurality of used nozzles. The controller directs the used nozzles to form a second pattern image on the sheet.