Inkjet Recording Head Speed Control for Sheet Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining satisfactory image quality and productivity due to variations in the distance between the recording medium and the recording head, which affect ink ejection and droplet landing positions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a detection portion to measure the thickness of the recording medium and a control portion that adjusts the ink ejection speed from the recording head based on the detected thickness, using a control table to determine the appropriate driving voltage for the ink ejection nozzles, thereby maintaining consistent ink droplet placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the distance between the recording medium and the recording head is kept constant, then image quality is maintained, but the apparatus cannot adapt to variations in recording medium thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ink ejection speed variable rather than constant. The control portion dynamically adjusts the ink ejection speed based on the detected thickness of the recording medium, allowing the system to adapt to different sheet thicknesses while maintaining consistent droplet landing positions and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of ink ejection speed based on the thickness parameter of the recording medium. By detecting the sheet thickness and correspondingly adjusting the ink ejection speed, the system compensates for distance variations caused by thickness differences, thereby maintaining precise droplet placement across different medium types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the recording medium and the recording head varies, then the apparatus can handle different sheet thicknesses, but ink droplet landing positions become displaced and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detection portion to measure the recording medium thickness and feeding this information back to the control portion. The control portion then adjusts the ink ejection speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains accurate droplet landing positions despite variations in sheet thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the ink ejection speed parameter in response to detected thickness variations. This parameter adjustment compensates for the varying distance between the recording head and different sheets, ensuring that ink droplets land at the intended positions regardless of sheet thickness differences.
3Productivity
If a fixed ink ejection speed is used, then the recording process is simple and fast, but image quality varies with different recording medium thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static, fixed ink ejection speed to a dynamic, variable speed system. The ink ejection speed is continuously adjusted based on real-time detection of recording medium thickness, allowing the system to maintain both high productivity and consistent image quality across different sheet types without requiring manual intervention or slowing down the overall recording process.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveyance portion, a recording head, a detection portion, and a control portion. The recording head is disposed opposite the conveyance portion, and includes a plurality of nozzles which eject ink to the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance portion. The detection portion detects the thickness of the recording medium. The control portion controls the ink ejection speed from the recording head based on the thickness of the recording medium detected by the detection portion.