Inkjet Printing Apparatus Reducing Time-Difference Unevenness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing multi-pass inkjet printing method experiences noticeable color unevenness due to time differences in ink application timing between different series of printing conveyance operations, leading to time-difference unevenness in printed images.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus and method that alternately repeats printing conveyance operations in two directions, allowing for adjustable printing methods to minimize time differences between ink application intervals, with a control unit setting specific numbers of conveyance operations to optimize image quality and reduce time-difference unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-pass printing is performed with multiple printing conveyance operations, then bleeding is prevented and ink is applied stepwise, but time-difference unevenness occurs due to time differences in ink application timing between different unit areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the printing method adaptable and variable. The control unit dynamically selects between a first printing method (with a specified number of printing conveyance operations) and a second printing method (with a smaller number of operations) based on the image data characteristics. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between preventing bleeding and minimizing time-difference unevenness for different printing scenarios, resolving the contradiction between ink application uniformity and color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the number of printing conveyance operations. By setting different numbers of printing conveyance operations in the first and second printing methods, the system can adjust the time taken for printing conveyance operations to minimize time differences between ink application timings for adjacent unit areas. This parameter change directly addresses the time-difference unevenness issue while maintaining the benefits of multi-pass printing.
2Manufacturing precision
If a larger number of printing conveyance operations are used, then bleeding is prevented and image quality is improved, but the printing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of printing conveyance operations based on image data characteristics. For images where bleeding is not a concern, the second printing method with fewer operations is selected, maintaining high productivity. For images requiring bleeding prevention, the first printing method with more operations is used, ensuring high image quality. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction between image quality and printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the number of printing conveyance operations between two discrete values (specified number vs. smaller number). This parameter change allows the system to balance printing quality and productivity by selecting the appropriate number of operations based on the specific printing task, rather than always using the maximum number of operations.
3Productivity
If the number of printing conveyance operations is reduced, then printing productivity is improved, but time-difference unevenness becomes more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically selects between printing methods based on image characteristics. When productivity is prioritized and the image does not require extensive multi-pass printing, the second printing method with fewer operations is selected. When color uniformity is critical, the first printing method with more operations is chosen. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction between productivity and color uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the number of printing conveyance operations to optimize the balance between productivity and color uniformity. By adjusting this parameter based on image data characteristics, the system can achieve acceptable color uniformity with fewer operations when possible, thereby improving productivity without significantly compromising image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Images with high image quality having less time-difference unevenness are outputted in an inkjet printing apparatus that performs multi-pass printing using full-line inkjet print heads 2. For this purpose, a CPU is capable of setting a first printing method in which an image for a unit area is printed by a specified number of printing conveyance operations and a second printing method in which an image for a unit area is printed by a smaller number than the specified number of printing conveyance operations. The CPU sets conveyance conditions such that a taken time for one printing conveyance operation of the printing conveyance operations for a unit area in the second printing method is smaller than a taken time for one successive printing conveyance operation of the printing conveyance operations for a unit area in the first printing method.