Inkjet Recording Head Drive Control for Ink Discharge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density inkjet recording apparatuses face issues with ink discharge instability due to hydrodynamic phenomena, leading to uneven ink droplet placement and white streaks on recorded images, especially when using high-density nozzle arrays and time-division driving methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a recording apparatus with a drive unit that forms groups of nozzles and executes time-division driving with varying drive intervals based on recording modes, allowing for either continuous or distributed driving orders to stabilize ink discharge and reduce the impact of air currents on ink droplet trajectory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If time-division driving is used to reduce power source capacity requirements, then the power source capacity is reduced, but ink discharge stability deteriorates due to hydrodynamic phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The recording head is divided into multiple nozzle arrays, and each nozzle array is further divided into multiple nozzles. Time-division driving is applied to drive different nozzle arrays at different timings, which segments the driving process and reduces the power source capacity requirement while maintaining ink discharge stability through controlled sequential operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic time-division driving where nozzle arrays are driven in sequential periods. By controlling the driving timing of different nozzle arrays periodically, the system reduces power capacity requirements while maintaining stable ink discharge through regulated periodic operation that prevents hydrodynamic instability.
2Productivity
If high-density nozzle arrays are used to improve recording speed and quality, then recording performance is improved, but ink discharge stability deteriorates due to air current effects
Solution Approach 1:
The high-density nozzle array is segmented into multiple nozzle arrays with different driving timings. By driving these segments at different times, the system maintains high recording density and speed while preventing air current effects that would otherwise destabilize ink discharge from closely spaced nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the driving timing of different nozzle arrays based on their positions. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain high recording performance from dense nozzle arrays while compensating for air current effects through adaptive timing adjustments that stabilize ink discharge.
3Productivity
If continuous ink discharge is performed to improve recording speed, then productivity is improved, but white streaks are generated due to ink interface vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous recording process is segmented into discrete driving cycles for different nozzle arrays. Each nozzle array is driven in separate time intervals, which segments the ink discharge process and prevents interface vibration that causes white streaks, while maintaining overall recording speed through efficient sequential operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic time-division driving to control ink discharge timing. By implementing periodic operation with controlled intervals between nozzle array drives, the system maintains high productivity while preventing the continuous discharge effects that cause ink interface vibration and white streak artifacts.
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 approach enhances image quality by minimizing ink discharge instability and air current effects, reducing the occurrence of white streaks and improving overall recording performance, particularly in high-density image recording scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal ink jet method utilizes bubbles generated by thermal energy to discharge ink
Implementation Method 2
an air current is generated between the nozzle face of the recording head and the recording medium by discharged ink droplets. The generation of this air current places the vicinity thereof in a state of a negative pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus including a recording head that includes an element array of a plurality of recording elements for discharging a liquid, the plurality of recording elements in the element array being divided into groups, and a drive unit configured to drive the recording head in a driving mode selected from a plurality of driving modes including a continuous driving mode in which recording elements in each of the groups are driven in order from one end and a distributed driving mode in which recording elements in each of the groups are driven such that adjacent recording elements are not driven sequentially.