Inkjet Printing Apparatus Overcoating Inspection Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in confirming the discharge of an invisible overcoating agent from all nozzles without increasing apparatus costs, as existing methods require special overcoating agents and image recognition cameras.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus with a controller that operates in both normal and inspecting discharge modes, forming an inspecting region with enhanced ink evenness and bleeding properties to visualize the overcoating agent, allowing confirmation of discharge state without a special overcoating agent, using a cyan-colored inspecting region and overlapping patterns to verify nozzle alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an image recognition camera is used to recognize the overcoating agent, then the discharge state of the overcoating agent can be confirmed, but the apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inspecting region printed with specific ink properties as an intermediary between the overcoating agent and the human eye. This inspecting region acts as a mediator that converts the invisible overcoating agent application into visible changes through ink bleeding and color changes, eliminating the need for expensive image recognition cameras while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes in the inspecting region ink as the overcoating agent passes through it. The inspecting region is printed with ink that changes color or intensity when the overcoating agent interacts with it, making the invisible overcoating agent visible to the human eye without requiring special detection equipment
2Measurement precision
If a special overcoating agent is used for recognition, then the discharge state can be confirmed, but the apparatus cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspecting region serves as an intermediary that works with standard overcoating agents. Instead of modifying the overcoating agent to be recognizable, the system uses the inspecting region ink as the mediator that becomes visible when interacted with by the overcoating agent, maintaining cost-effectiveness while achieving measurement precision
3Manufacturing precision
If the overcoating agent is applied to coated paper, then the printing quality is improved, but the visibility of the overcoating agent discharge state decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspecting region acts as an intermediary layer between the coated paper surface and the overcoating agent. This intermediary region is specifically designed to show visible changes when the overcoating agent interacts with it, solving the visibility problem on coated papers that normally absorb ink quickly and prevent observation of overcoating agent discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The inspecting region ink is formulated to undergo visible color changes or intensity variations when the overcoating agent passes through it. This color change mechanism works effectively on coated papers, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling detection of overcoating agent discharge state that would otherwise be invisible
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
Enables easy confirmation of overcoating agent discharge at lower costs, with improved visibility and accuracy of discharge positions, even on coated papers, without the need for special agents or cameras.
Implementation Method 1
This causes bleeding of the ink droplets and change in color of the ink droplets.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an inkjet printing apparatus including a printing head, an overcoating head discharging an overcoating agent, and a controller operating the printing head and the overcoating head to perform printing to a print medium. The controller operates in a normal discharge mode having a printing rate in the print medium relative to a given area of less than 100% for printing to the print medium, and an inspecting discharge mode having a printing rate in the print medium relative to the given area higher than the printing rate of the normal discharge mode for confirming a discharge state of the overcoating agent. In the inspecting discharge mode, the controller operates the printing head to form an inspecting region on the print medium, and operates the overcoating head to discharge the overcoating agent onto the inspecting region, whereby an overcoating inspecting chart is formed.