Inkjet Printer Meandering Correction Nozzle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet printing apparatuses with meandering correction functions, accurately identifying the position of an ejection failure nozzle is challenging due to misregistration caused by print medium meandering, which affects the reliability of nozzle detection and print quality.
Innovation Solution
The printing apparatus includes a layout processing unit that generates printing image data by shifting the print positions of images on normal pages based on the meandering amount, while maintaining the print position of the ejection failure detecting pattern image on nozzle check pages, ensuring accurate nozzle position identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the print position shift process is performed on all pages including nozzle check pages to correct meandering, then misregistration is inhibited, but the accurate position of ejection failure nozzle cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different print position shift strategies to different types of pages. For normal pages, the full meandering correction is applied to prevent misregistration. For nozzle check pages, the correction is selectively applied only to the mark image position, while the ejection failure detecting pattern image maintains its original position relative to the nozzle. This local differentiation allows accurate nozzle detection while still correcting meandering effects on normal printing pages.
2Manufacturing precision
If meandering correction is applied to maintain print quality, then misregistration is prevented, but ejection failure nozzle detection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the print medium into different functional zones: a mark image area for tracking meandering amount, and an ejection failure detecting pattern image area for nozzle detection. By separating these functions spatially and applying different correction strategies to each zone, the system maintains both print quality through meandering correction and reliable nozzle detection through fixed reference positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the ejection failure detecting pattern image position is shifted to correct meandering, then print position accuracy is improved, but the positional relationship between the pattern and nozzle becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mark image as an intermediary element that serves as a reference for measuring meandering amount. The mark image is shifted to compensate for meandering, while the ejection failure detecting pattern image maintains its original position relative to the nozzle. This intermediary approach allows the system to correct print position accuracy without losing nozzle position information, as the pattern image remains a fixed reference point for nozzle detection.
Data Source
AI summary
In an inkjet printing apparatus having a meandering correction function, a layout processing unit, configured to generate printing image data by determining the print positions of the respective images on each of a plurality of pages to be printed, shifts, for a normal page, the print positions of all the images in a paper width direction on the basis of the meandering amount of the printing paper with reference to the print positions when printing paper does not meander, and shifts, for a nozzle check page, the print position of a cue mark in the paper width direction on the basis of the meandering amount of the printing paper with reference to the print position when the printing paper does not meander while maintaining the print position of an ejection failure detecting pattern image at the print position when the printing paper does not meander.