Inkjet Recording Overlap Length Control for Streak Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face issues with image quality deterioration due to deviations in ink landing positions during bidirectional recording, leading to streaks and uneven density along the scanning direction on the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a conveyor and carriage system with a recording head that alternately executes recording passes and conveying operations, using different nozzles to record thinned-out images and adjusting the length of overlap areas based on the moving direction of the carriage in each recording pass to minimize deviations and improve image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If bidirectional recording is used to improve throughput, then productivity increases, but image quality deteriorates due to deviations in ink landing positions causing streaks and uneven density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recording process into multiple passes, recording different portions of the image in each pass. By dividing the image into multiple recording areas and using different nozzles for different passes, the system maintains bidirectional recording capability while reducing the impact of landing position deviations on overall image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different recording strategies to different regions of the image. Overlap areas where multiple recording passes intersect use complementary recording from different nozzles, while non-overlap areas use standard recording. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high throughput through bidirectional recording while ensuring image quality in critical overlap regions
2Manufacturing precision
If overlap areas are extended to suppress density unevenness, then manufacturing precision improves, but productivity decreases due to increased recording time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial overlap between recording areas rather than complete overlap. By extending the overlap area only to the extent necessary to suppress density unevenness and streaks, the system achieves sufficient image quality improvement without unnecessarily increasing recording time. This partial action approach balances precision and productivity
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 effectively suppresses streak-shaped unevenness and density deviations, enhancing image quality by optimizing the overlap area length in bidirectional recording while maintaining high printing velocity.
Implementation Method 1
an ink-jet recording apparatus which records an image by discharging (ejecting) an ink from a plurality of nozzles onto a recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a conveyor; a carriage; a recording head; and a controller. In a case that a moving direction in the scanning direction of the carriage in one of the two continuous recording passes is same as a moving direction in the scanning direction of the carriage in the other of the two continuous recording passes, the controller is configured to make a length in the conveyance direction of the overlap area to be a first length. In a case that the moving direction in the scanning direction of the carriage in the one of the two continuous recording passes is different from the moving direction in the scanning direction of the carriage in the other of the two continuous recording passes, the controller is configured to make the length in the conveyance direction of the overlap area to be a second length.