Inkjet Print Head Motion Control for Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing devices, such as inkjet printers, face limitations in improving throughput due to inefficient movement of the print head between print areas, as they often rely on limited optimal travel directions and speeds without considering the distance required for motor acceleration and deceleration.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a control unit that optimizes the standby position and transportation range of the print unit based on the distance needed for acceleration, allowing for faster transition between print areas by adjusting speeds and reversing operations, thereby minimizing the time between print areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If logic-seeking control is used to move the print head efficiently between print areas, then the time required for printing is improved, but the overall throughput improvement is limited because the distance required for motor acceleration and deceleration is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary analysis of print data to identify white spaces and plan the print head movement path in advance. It pre-determines the optimal standby position and transportation range considering acceleration distance requirements, allowing the print head to move efficiently between print areas without unnecessary stops or slow movements, thereby improving overall throughput
2Ease of operation
If the print head moves from the stop-printing position to the start-printing position using limited optimal travel directions and speeds, then the movement is simplified, but the time required for transition is not minimized due to not considering acceleration distance
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the standby position and transportation range of the print head based on real-time considerations of acceleration distance requirements. Instead of using fixed travel directions and speeds, the system optimizes the movement path by considering the distance needed for the motor to accelerate and decelerate, thereby minimizing transition time while maintaining operational simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
The throughput of a serial printer is improved. A inkjet printer 100 has a print unit that prints on a print medium; a first transportation unit that conveys the print medium in the primary scanning direction; a second transportation unit that conveys the print unit in a secondary scanning direction substantially perpendicular to the primary scanning direction; and a control unit that controls the transportation operations of the first and second transportation units, so that the time required to move the print unit from the stop-printing position where the print unit finishes printing one print area to the start-printing position where transportation for printing the next print area starts is shortest. The control unit also determines a transportation range that may include the print unit going beyond the stop-printing position when the print unit prints the one print area.