Inkjet Print Head Gloss Uniformity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies face challenges in achieving uniformity of image clarity and gloss level across different gradation values on coated paper, leading to noticeable gloss unevenness between highlight and shadow areas.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus and method that involves scanning a print head multiple times over the same print area, with a control unit adjusting the volume of image quality improvement liquid based on the volume of color ink and gradation value to optimize gloss and clarity levels, using a combination of normal and liquid-over-ink printing procedures to control gloss and clarity effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a greater amount of image quality improvement liquid is applied to areas with small ink volume, then the gloss level uniformity is improved, but the image clarity uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different volumes of image quality improvement liquid based on the local ink volume and gradation value of each unit area. Areas with small ink volume receive larger liquid volumes to enhance gloss, while areas with large ink volume receive smaller liquid volumes to maintain clarity, creating locally optimized quality characteristics throughout the image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the volume parameter of image quality improvement liquid based on two variables: the volume of color ink applied and the gradation value of the image area. This dual-parameter control system allows precise modulation of liquid application to achieve both gloss and clarity uniformity across different image regions.
2Ease of operation
If the same volume of image quality improvement liquid is applied to all areas, then the processing simplicity is improved, but the glossiness uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, uniform liquid application process into a dynamic, variable process. The control unit automatically adjusts the liquid volume for each unit area based on real-time analysis of ink volume and gradation value, enabling the system to adapt to different printing conditions without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the applied ink volume and image gradation value are analyzed to determine the optimal image quality improvement liquid volume for each area. This closed-loop control ensures glossiness uniformity is achieved through data-driven decision-making rather than fixed predetermined values.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple scans are performed to adjust liquid volume by scan position, then the gloss and clarity uniformity are improved, but the printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple unit areas and processes each area independently based on its specific ink volume and gradation characteristics. This segmentation allows precise control of liquid application for each region while maintaining overall processing efficiency through parallelizable operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates and determines the optimal image quality improvement liquid volume for each unit area before actual printing begins. By pre-computing the liquid application strategy based on the input image data and ink characteristics, the system avoids time-consuming adjustments during the printing process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object of this invention to provide an inkjet printing apparatus that can print an image with high uniformity in image clarity and gloss level irrespective of the gradation value of the image. The print head of this invention can eject color inks and an image quality improvement liquid that changes at least the gloss level or image clarity of the image. The print head scans over same print areas of a print medium to form an image and at the same time applies the image quality improvement liquid onto the image. A control unit raises the volume of the image quality improvement liquid applied to unit areas in a relatively subsequent scan to the volume of the image quality improvement liquid applied to unit areas in a relatively preceding scan at a rate that corresponds to the volume of the color ink applied to the unit areas.