Inkjet Printing Apparatus Edge Sharpness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies using inks with different permeation properties struggle to maintain image quality and sharp edges, as the order of ink ejection changes with printing direction, leading to variations in ink spreading and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus with a scanning unit and printing control unit that uses a first ink with high permeation properties for non-edge areas and a second ink with lower permeation properties for edge areas, ensuring consistent image quality by arranging nozzle arrays along the scan direction and controlling ink ejection to maintain edge clarity regardless of printing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bidirectional printing is performed by changing the ejection order of high permeation ink and low permeation ink between going direction and return direction, then the printing process can be completed, but the image quality varies with scan direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ink ejection process by separating high permeation ink and low permeation ink into different nozzle arrays within the same print head. This allows independent control of each ink type's ejection timing and position, enabling consistent edge definition regardless of printing direction while maintaining bidirectional printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the low permeation ink be ejected first in the going direction to pre-establish the edge boundary, followed by high permeation ink in the same direction to fill the interior. This predetermined sequence ensures that when the print head returns, the edge area is already protected, allowing the high permeation ink to be ejected without compromising edge sharpness.
2Manufacturing precision
If high permeation ink is used to fill interior areas and low permeation ink is used for outer peripheral areas, then the outer edge sharpness is improved, but the printing order must be precisely controlled to maintain consistent image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple ink types into a single print head by integrating both high permeation and low permeation ink nozzle arrays into one device. This unified structure simplifies the printing control system compared to using separate print heads, while still enabling precise control over the ejection sequence and positioning of different ink types to maintain edge sharpness.
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 sharp image edges and consistent ink spreading, preventing variations in image quality across different printing directions by strategically using high and low permeation inks, enhancing the clarity and sharpness of printed boundaries.
Implementation Method 1
using ink having relatively high permeation properties (hereinafter referred to as 'high permeation ink') to form dots in the interior area of the print-required area, and using ink having relatively low permeation properties (hereinafter referred to as 'low permeation ink') to form dots in the outer peripheral area
Data Source
AI summary
A sharp image is formed without variation in ink spreading around an outer periphery of a print-required region depending on a printing direction. At the time of printing an image by scanning a print medium with a print head for ejecting a first ink which is visible as black and has relatively high permeation properties of penetrating the print medium and a second ink having relatively low permeation properties, a printing apparatus uses the second ink to print on at least an edge area of the print-required region of the print medium, and the first ink to print on a non-edge area surrounded by the edge area. The print head comprises a first nozzle array ejecting the first ink and second nozzle arrays ejecting the second ink. The second nozzle arrays are arranged on opposite sides of the first nozzle array in the scan direction.