Inkjet Recording Head Dot Placement Correction via Data Position Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality due to inclination shift, where the recording head is not perfectly aligned, leading to dots being formed outside their intended columns, resulting in poor image quality, and existing correction methods are limited in effectively addressing this issue.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a scanning unit, time-division driving mechanism, and data storage and reading system that allows for independent adjustment of the recording data position for each recording element based on inclination information, ensuring accurate dot placement by changing the storage or read position of recording data in increments specific to each element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the recording head is mounted in an inclined manner due to mounting error or assembly error, then the recording apparatus can be manufactured more easily, but the dot formation positions deviate causing inclination shift and poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the timing parameter of recording element driving to compensate for inclination shift. By adjusting which blocks are driven simultaneously versus sequentially based on detected inclination, the system corrects dot placement without requiring precise mechanical mounting. This allows easy manufacturing while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the inclination of the recording head is detected, and this detection information is used to control the driving timing of recording elements. The system continuously monitors inclination and adjusts block driving patterns accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that maintains dot formation accuracy despite mounting variations.
2Productivity
If all recording elements are driven simultaneously, then recording speed increases, but power source capacity requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides recording elements into multiple blocks that are driven in different time sequences. Instead of driving all elements simultaneously, the system segments them into groups (blocks 0-15) that are activated at different times during the main scanning period. This reduces peak power requirements while maintaining overall recording productivity through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by cycling through different block driving patterns over time. Recording elements are driven in repeating sequences where different blocks are activated in each cycle, allowing the system to maintain high productivity through continuous operation while managing power consumption through temporal distribution of driving loads.
3Power
If recording elements are divided into multiple blocks and driven sequentially, then power source requirements are reduced, but the complexity of the driving control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control where the driving pattern of recording blocks is not fixed but changes based on detected inclination. The system dynamically adjusts which blocks are driven simultaneously versus sequentially, creating adaptive control that manages complexity through flexibility. This allows the system to optimize both power consumption and image quality based on real-time conditions.
4Power
If the recording elements are divided into groups and blocks for time-division driving, then power consumption is managed, but dot placement accuracy deteriorates due to inclination shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the timing parameters of block driving based on detected inclination. By adjusting which blocks are driven simultaneously versus sequentially according to inclination measurements, the system compensates for positioning errors. This allows the maintenance of power-efficient time-division driving while restoring dot placement accuracy through parameter optimization.
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
This solution effectively alleviates image deterioration caused by inclination shift by precisely adjusting the dot placement, ensuring that dots are formed within their intended columns, thereby improving the overall image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The recording elements are energy generating units for discharging ink droplets, such as heaters, piezoelectric devices, and so forth.
Implementation Method 2
The recording elements are energy generating units for discharging ink droplets, such as heaters, piezoelectric devices, and so forth.
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes: a recording head having a recording element row in which multiple recording elements are disposed, with recording elements at dispersed positions in the recording element rows as blocks; a scanning unit configured to scan the recording head in a main scanning direction; a time-division driving unit configured to drive the recording elements in increments of blocks; a storing unit configured to store recording data; an obtaining unit configured to obtain information relating to the inclination of the recording element row relative to the main scanning direction; and a changing unit operable to change, in increments of individual recording elements, the storage position in the main scanning direction of recording data stored in the storing unit that is to be provided to recording elements of a group, which is configured of consecutive recording elements in each block in the recording element row, based on the obtained information.