Inkjet Recording Head Dot Placement Correction via Timing Adjustment

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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 mounted at an angle, leading to dot formation deviations and poor image quality, as existing correction methods either fail to correct all deviations or introduce new errors.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus with a scanning unit, time-division driving mechanism, and data storage system that adjusts the storage or read position of recording data for each recording element based on inclination information, allowing for independent correction of dot placement in the main scanning direction for each group of recording elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the recording head is mounted in an inclined manner due to mounting error or assembly error, then the device can be assembled more easily, but dot formation positions deviate causing inclination shift and poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assemblyVSAvoiddot formation position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameter of recording element driving to compensate for inclination shift. By adjusting the drive timing of recording elements based on detected inclination, dots that would otherwise fall outside intended columns are corrected to form at proper positions, resolving the contradiction between easy assembly and precise dot formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection unit detects inclination of the recording head, and this detection result is used to control the drive timing of recording elements. The feedback loop allows the system to automatically compensate for mounting errors, maintaining dot formation accuracy despite variations in assembly precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If recording elements are driven simultaneously from all ink discharge ports, then recording speed increases, but power source capacity requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording speedVSAvoidpower source capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the recording elements into multiple groups that are driven sequentially rather than simultaneously. This time-division multiplexing approach divides the recording process into discrete time slots, allowing the system to maintain high recording speed while limiting peak power consumption by activating only a subset of recording elements at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action by cycling through different groups of recording elements in a repeating sequence. Each group is driven in periodic intervals, creating a rhythmic pattern of activation that balances recording throughput with power consumption constraints, preventing the need for large power source capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If recording elements are divided into multiple groups and driven sequentially in time-division manner, then power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of drive timing control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddrive timing control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to self-adjust by using the detection unit to automatically determine inclination and the control unit to automatically calculate and apply timing adjustments. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex external calibration procedures and simplifies operation, offsetting the internal control complexity with automated intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If the drive timing of recording elements is changed to correct inclination shift, then dot placement accuracy improves, but the precision of timing control must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedot placement accuracyVSAvoidtiming control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8184342B2Recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 CANON KK

AI summary

A recording apparatus, performing recording by time-division driving of multiple recording elements on a recording head in increments of blocks, includes: a storing unit storing recording data; an obtaining unit obtaining information relating to inclination of the recording elements in the main scanning direction; a changing unit changing, in increments of recording elements, the main scanning direction storage position of recording data stored in the storing unit to be provided to recording elements of a group, configured of consecutive recording elements in each block of the recording elements, based on the obtained information; and a determining unit determining the driving order of the recording elements subjected to time-division driving in increments of the blocks, for each of the scans; wherein recording is performed based on recording data with the main scanning direction storage position having been changed by the changing unit, and the driving order determined by the determining unit.