Inkjet Recording Apparatus Ink Discharge Position Deviation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording technologies face challenges in controlling ink discharge position deviation between multiple scans during multi-pass recording, particularly when dealing with multiple types of ink or dot sizes, leading to potential image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a dual recording head and scanning unit that generates and controls multiple sets of recording data and mask patterns for each type of ink, combined with a specific driving order for the recording elements, to ensure precise ink discharge positioning across multiple scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-pass recording is performed with multiple types of ink using conventional methods, then productivity is improved through efficient ink discharge control, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to uncontrollable discharge position deviation between different ink types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording process by creating separate mask patterns for each scan and each ink type. The mask pattern generation unit generates K+L sets of mask patterns corresponding to K forward scans and L backward scans, where each mask pattern is specifically tailored for controlling the discharge position of a particular ink type during a specific scan direction, thereby enabling precise control of discharge positions for multiple ink types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating all K+L sets of mask patterns in advance before the actual recording process. The mask pattern generation unit creates these patterns based on the scanning directions and ink types, so that when recording occurs, the discharge positions for all ink types are already predetermined and controlled, preventing position deviation before it can occur
2Device complexity
If time-division driving is used to reduce the number of simultaneously driven recording elements, then device complexity is reduced allowing for a smaller driving power source, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to ink discharge position deviation between scans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating direction-specific mask patterns that account for the different scanning directions. The mask pattern generation unit generates different mask patterns for forward scans versus backward scans, where each pattern is optimized for its specific scanning direction, thereby compensating for the position deviation that occurs during time-division driving between different scan directions
3Productivity
If reciprocal scanning in forward and backward directions is used to cover the recording medium, then productivity is improved through efficient coverage, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to ink discharge position deviation between forward and backward scans
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the driving order of recording elements when scanning in opposite directions. The mask pattern generation unit creates mask patterns that invert the driving sequence for backward scans compared to forward scans, which compensates for the positional deviation caused by reciprocal scanning and ensures consistent discharge positions across different scan directions
Data Source
AI summary
Driving orders of driving blocks are controlled with regard to each of multiple types of ink so that landing positions of ink from the driving blocks differ in multiple scans, and in the mask patterns used, there is a relatively small number of superimposed pixels among pixels regarding which a large number of discharge permitted has been stipulated regarding a mask pattern corresponding to one type of ink and one scan and pixels regarding which a large number of discharge permitted has been stipulated regarding a mask pattern corresponding to another type of ink and the one scan.