Inkjet Recording Head Position Correction via Raster-Dependent Shift

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with image quality deterioration due to the generation of streaks when correcting recording position deviations in the scanning direction, as existing methods lead to discontinuity and significant deviations in dot placement.

Innovation Solution

A recording apparatus that acquires recording position deviations and adjusts the correction amount based on the number of rasters or raster units, allowing for precise control of the recording head's scanning position to minimize streak formation by varying the recording position shift amount across different scanning positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If recording position adjustment is performed at multiple positions in the scanning direction, then recording position accuracy is improved, but streaks are generated in the image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording position accuracyVSAvoidstreak generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the discharge timing correction amount position-dependent. Different correction amounts are applied at different scanning positions based on the measured recording position deviation at each position. This allows accurate correction at each location while managing the transition between corrections to prevent streaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the discharge timing correction amount variable rather than fixed. The correction amount changes dynamically based on the scanning position and the measured deviation at each position. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to position-specific deviations while smoothing transitions between corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If discharge timing is corrected in units of one step of carriage encoder, then recording position deviation is corrected, but discontinuity occurs in shift amount

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecording position correctionVSAvoidcontinuity of shift amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the discharge timing correction amount as a variable parameter that depends on scanning position. Instead of using fixed step-based corrections, the system adjusts the correction amount continuously or semi-continuously based on measured deviations at different positions, ensuring both correction effectiveness and smooth transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8342630B2Recording apparatus and recording position adjustment method

Publication Date: 2013.01.01 CANON KK

AI summary

A recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium and causing a recording head to perform scanning in a scanning direction includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a recording position deviation amount of the recording head in each of a plurality of positions in the scanning direction, an addition unit configured determine a corrected recording deviation amount by adding to the acquired recording position deviation amount, a correction amount that varies based on one raster or a number of rasters, and a recording unit configured to record the image with the recording head based on the corrected recording deviation amount.