Inkjet Print Head Temperature Control for Image Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies face challenges in maintaining uniformity and avoiding unevenness in images, particularly when using short pulse heating treatments during multipass printing, which can affect glossiness and chromogenic properties due to varying elapsed times between print scans.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus and method that alternately perform print scans and medium conveyance, with the print head heated to specific target temperatures tailored to the type of print medium or ink, allowing for adjusted short pulse heating treatments to stabilize ink ejection and reduce image unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If short pulse heating treatment is applied at every print scan to maintain ink temperature, then ink ejection stability is improved, but image unevenness occurs in multipass printing due to varying elapsed times between print scans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by setting different target temperatures for the print head depending on the print medium type. For glossy paper, a lower target temperature (20°C) is used, while for plain paper, a higher target temperature (25°C) is used. This resolves the contradiction by adapting the heating parameters to the specific requirements of each medium, ensuring both stable ink ejection and uniform image quality without the need for continuous short pulse heating at every print scan.
2Temperature
If short pulse heating treatment is used with multipass printing, then ink temperature control is improved, but glossiness and chromogenic property of the image become uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter based on the print medium type to resolve the contradiction between temperature control and image quality uniformity. By setting appropriate target temperatures for different media (20°C for glossy paper, 25°C for plain paper), the system maintains proper ink temperature control while preventing image quality unevenness that would otherwise occur during multipass printing.
3Reliability
If the print head is heated to a higher target temperature, then ink ejection is more stable, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the heating temperature to the specific requirements of each print medium type. Instead of using a uniformly high temperature for all media, the system uses lower temperatures (20°C) for glossy paper and higher temperatures (25°C) for plain paper. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing energy consumption while maintaining adequate ejection stability for each medium type.
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 solution ensures uniform image output by optimizing ink temperature control, reducing roughness and chromogenic property variations, and maintaining stable ejection operations across different print media, thereby minimizing image unevenness and enhancing printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
the ink is heated by applying a short pulse to the ejection heater
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus adopting short pulse heating is designed to output a uniform image without unevenness. To this end, in a serial inkjet printing apparatus, a print head is subjected to a short pulse heating treatment before each print scan is carried out. In a case where a print medium is a first print medium, the print head is heated to a first target temperature before carrying out each of the print scans. In a case where the print medium is a second print medium, the print head is heated to a second target temperature lower than the first target temperature before carrying out each of the print scans.