Inkjet Recorder Head Control for Discharge Failure and Ink Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recorders face issues with ink discharge failure due to ink quality changes in non-discharge nozzles, leading to unnecessary ink consumption and inefficiency, as they rely on periodic 'idle discharge' that is not economically optimized with respect to continuous non-discharge time and image patterns.
Innovation Solution
A line-type inkjet recorder that includes an image data processing part, temperature detection, and a head control system to dynamically control the frequency of idle discharge based on the states of continuous non-discharge and adjacent discharge nozzles, using print condition, paper size, and head temperature information to minimize ink consumption and prevent discharge failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic idle discharge is performed from non-discharge nozzles to prevent ink quality change, then discharge failure is prevented, but ink consumption unnecessarily increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the idle discharge frequency adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically modifies the idle discharge frequency based on detected nozzle states and printing conditions, allowing the system to optimize between preventing discharge failure and reducing unnecessary ink consumption during different operational phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of idle discharge frequency from a static periodic value to a dynamic value that varies based on nozzle health status and printing conditions. The control unit adjusts this frequency parameter in response to detected changes in nozzle discharge capability and environmental factors
2Reliability
If idle discharge frequency is increased to maintain ink quality in non-discharge nozzles, then discharge failure is prevented, but printing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts idle discharge frequency based on real-time nozzle status detection. When nozzles are healthy, idle discharge frequency is reduced to maximize printing efficiency. When degradation is detected, frequency is increased to maintain reliability, creating a dynamic balance between productivity and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements feedback by continuously monitoring nozzle discharge states and using this information to adjust idle discharge frequency. This closed-loop control ensures that idle discharge operations are optimized based on actual nozzle conditions rather than following a fixed schedule
Data Source
AI summary
A line-type inkjet recorder for printing a desired image onto paper by discharging ink from plural nozzles provided in a head part, the inkjet recorder includes: an image data processing part for converting image data to be printed into print data for each of the nozzles; a temperature detection part for detecting a temperature of the head part and outputting head temperature information based on the detected temperature; and a head control part for, based on states of a continuous non-discharge nozzle and a continuous discharge nozzle adjacent thereto included in the nozzles and extracted based on the head temperature information from the temperature detection part and the print data from the image data processing part, controlling frequencies of idle discharge from the continuous non-discharge nozzle and continuous discharge nozzle extracted.