Inkjet Nozzle Voltage Compensation for Defect-Free High-Speed Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation methods and apparatuses face challenges in correcting image defects due to discharge defect nozzles while maintaining image formation speed, as increasing the discharge amount from adjacent nozzles to compensate for defects prolongs the application time of driver elements, thereby reducing overall speed.
Innovation Solution
An image formation method and apparatus that applies a higher voltage to adjacent nozzles identified as correction nozzles to increase ink discharge without altering the pulse waveform, using a separate power source for the correction voltage to enhance ink discharge from these nozzles, thereby correcting defects without prolonging the driving time of driver elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the amount of liquid discharged by other nozzles close to the discharge defect nozzle is increased to suppress image defection, then image quality is improved, but the application time of driver elements is prolonged and image formation speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a higher voltage (second voltage) to correction nozzles adjacent to discharge defect nozzles, changing the electrical parameter to increase liquid discharge amount. This allows compensation for defective nozzles without prolonging driver element application time, thus maintaining image formation speed while improving image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different voltages to different nozzles based on their functional status. Normal nozzles receive a first voltage, while correction nozzles adjacent to discharge defect nozzles receive a higher second voltage. This localized differentiation enables precise compensation only where needed, avoiding unnecessary prolongation of driver element application time across all nozzles.
2Manufacturing precision
If a higher voltage is applied to correction nozzles to increase ink discharge, then image defects are corrected effectively, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies higher voltage only to specific correction nozzles adjacent to discharge defect nozzles, rather than increasing voltage for all nozzles. This localized application of higher energy ensures effective image defect correction while minimizing overall energy consumption by limiting high-voltage operation to only the necessary nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies excessive voltage (higher than normal operating voltage) only partially to correction nozzles when needed for defect compensation. This partial excessive action enables effective correction of image defects while avoiding continuous excessive energy consumption during normal operation of all nozzles.
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
The method effectively corrects image defects by increasing ink discharge from adjacent nozzles with a higher voltage, ensuring image quality without reducing the overall image formation speed and minimizing misting or satellite formation.
Implementation Method 1
If a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of driver elements, then liquid droplets are discharged from the nozzles corresponding to those driver elements
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided image formation method for forming image on medium by discharging liquid from head having nozzles arranged in first direction and actuators corresponding respectively to the nozzles. The method includes: discharging the liquid onto the medium from the nozzles by applying first voltage to the actuators while performing relative displacement between the head and the medium in second direction intersecting the first direction; and applying second voltage higher than the first voltage to actuator, of the actuators, corresponding to correction nozzle, based on information identifying discharge defect nozzle being a nozzle, of the nozzles, unable to discharge the liquid normally, the correction nozzle being a nozzle, of the nozzles, adjacent to the discharge defect nozzle in the first direction.