Inkjet Printer Controller Timing Correction for Wavy Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers struggle to maintain accurate ink droplet placement on wavy recording sheets due to fluctuations in the gap between the recording head and the sheet, leading to deviations in ink landing positions, even after adjusting discharge timings for dry sheets, as the sheet's amplitude changes when wetted.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printer system with a corrugation mechanism and controller that adjusts discharge timings based on the amount of ink already discharged, using a corrugated shape with alternating protrusive and recessed points, calculates and corrects discharging timings for each point to ensure precise ink placement on the wavy sheet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If discharge timings are adjusted for a dry recording sheet, then ink landing positions are accurate on dry sheets, but ink landing positions deviate when the sheet becomes wet and swells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the discharge timing adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically modifies discharge timings based on the actual sheet state (dry or wet) detected during operation, allowing the printer to adapt to changing gap conditions as the sheet absorbs ink and swells, thereby maintaining positioning accuracy throughout the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual discharge position of ink on the sheet and using this information to correct subsequent discharge timings. The system continuously monitors positioning accuracy and adjusts discharge timing parameters based on detected deviations caused by sheet swelling, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for the changing sheet geometry
2Area of stationary object
If the recording sheet is deformed into a wavy shape, then ink can be discharged onto different surface areas, but the gap between the recording head and sheet fluctuates causing positioning deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the recording sheet into multiple regions with different wavy shape characteristics (protrusive points and recessed points). Each region is assigned specific discharge timing corrections based on its local geometry, allowing the system to handle varied surface areas while maintaining positioning accuracy through region-specific timing adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different discharge timing corrections to different locations on the sheet. Instead of using a uniform timing adjustment across the entire sheet, the system tailors the timing correction to the local gap conditions at each discharge position, ensuring accurate ink placement despite variations in sheet waveform throughout the recording area
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer including a recording head, a carriage being movable with the recording head along a scanning direction, a corrugation mechanism to form a corrugated shape having alternately formed protrusive points and recessed points in the sheet along the scanning direction, and a controller is provided. The controller executes steps including a discharged ink amount calculating step, a timing information obtaining step, a discharging timing correcting step, and a discharging step.