Inkjet Nozzle Timing Control for Carriage Jitter Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-speed printing due to carriage jittering, which lengthens the drive pulse period and increases the frequency of error processes when trying to enhance printing speed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid material discharge control method that uses timing signals to control the discharge timing of nozzles by calculating elapsed time and comparing it with predicted times, ensuring stable discharge even with fluctuations, and selectively applying drive waveforms to maintain accurate discharge amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fundamental period of the drive pulse is lengthened to correct image disturbances caused by carriage jittering, then image quality loss is prevented, but the substantial drive period is lengthened and high-speed printing becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates the actual drive period in advance by predicting the carriage position based on encoder signals before the actual discharge occurs. This preliminary calculation allows the system to prepare the drive pulse timing proactively, correcting for carriage jittering effects before they manifest as image quality issues, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses encoder signals to continuously monitor the actual carriage position and compares it with the expected position. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustment of the drive pulse timing to compensate for carriage jittering, ensuring accurate discharge positioning without requiring excessive period extension, thus maintaining high-speed printing capability.
2Productivity
If the movement speed of the carriage is increased to increase the speed of printing, then productivity is improved, but the frequency of error processes increases when the actual speed exceeds the allowable range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the drive pulse timing based on the actual carriage speed and position detected by the encoder. Rather than using a fixed timing scheme, the system adapts the drive period and phase in real-time according to the actual movement conditions, allowing high-speed printing while maintaining accuracy and reducing error processes through flexible, dynamic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors carriage speed and position via encoder signals and uses this feedback to adjust drive pulse timing. When the carriage speed exceeds allowable ranges or deviates from expected values, the feedback mechanism detects these anomalies and adjusts the discharge timing accordingly, preventing error processes while maintaining high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If drive waveforms are applied to drive elements with a period smaller than the encoder signal period, then discharge precision is improved, but new image data output is ceased and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the discharge control into discrete timing intervals based on encoder signal periods. By dividing the control cycle into manageable segments synchronized with the encoder signals, the system achieves precise discharge control without creating unmanageable complexity. Each segment corresponds to a specific carriage position range, making the control logic systematic and easier to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates the drive waveform timing based on predicted carriage position and encoder signals before the actual discharge occurs. This preliminary preparation of drive waveforms in advance, synchronized with encoder periods, allows precise discharge control to be maintained without increasing real-time control complexity, as the timing calculations are performed proactively rather than reactively.
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid material discharge control method, timing signals generated periodically are used to control discharge timing for discharging a liquid material from a plurality of nozzles onto a workpiece during a scan in which the nozzles and the workpiece are moved relative to each other. The liquid material discharge control method includes calculating a first elapsed time in a relative movement between the nozzles and the workpiece by counting a first prescribed number of outputs of the timing signals that define the discharge timing, comparing the first elapsed time with a first predicted time at which the nozzles are predicted to reach intended discharge positions on the workpiece, and discharging the liquid material from the nozzles onto the workpiece upon the first predicted time having elapsed when the first elapsed time is at least shorter than the first predicted time.