Inkjet Printhead Nozzle Array Timing Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-quality images due to variations in ink landing positions, which are difficult to correct accurately without increasing the printing area or using high-cost detection methods, especially when reference and adjustment patterns are printed at different positions.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a printhead having two nozzle arrays and a control system that includes a reading unit, obtaining units, and a determination unit to calculate and adjust ink discharge timing based on the shift amounts between nozzle arrays, reducing ink usage while improving landing position accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference pattern and adjustment pattern are printed at different positions on printing medium, then ink landing position can be corrected, but the correction accuracy is affected by variations of ink landing position dependent on printing position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reference pattern and adjustment pattern printing process into a single pass by using multiple nozzle arrays on the same printhead. Both patterns are printed at the same physical position on the printing medium simultaneously, eliminating position-dependent variations and ensuring consistent correction accuracy across different printing locations.
2Measurement precision
If high accuracy ink landing position information is obtained in a wide range, then correction precision is improved, but the printing area becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printhead into multiple independent nozzle arrays, where each nozzle array prints a specific pattern (reference or adjustment) at the same physical location. This segmentation allows high-precision ink landing position measurement to be obtained within a small printing area by comparing patterns from different nozzle arrays rather than spreading patterns across a large area.
3Manufacturing precision
If ink discharge timing is adjusted to correct ink landing position, then image quality is improved, but the complexity of control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the printing apparatus itself to generate both reference and adjustment patterns, and uses its own reading unit to detect the patterns and calculate discharge timing information. This self-service approach obtains correction data without external equipment, improving image quality while keeping the control system complexity manageable by utilizing existing apparatus components.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printhead having a first nozzle array and a second nozzle array for discharging ink, a reading unit, a first obtaining unit configured to obtain first information about a shift amount between printing positions for the first and second nozzle arrays, a print control unit configured to print first and second distance detection patterns with the first and second nozzle arrays, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain second information about a distance between printing positions of the first and second distance detection patterns in accordance with a result of the first and second distance detection patterns, and a determination unit configured to determine an ink discharge timing in accordance with the first and second information.