Inkjet Recording Device Regular Reaction Liquid Dot Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet recording methods face challenges in maintaining regular dot arrangements of reaction liquids and ink on the medium, leading to irregular coagulation positions and non-uniform dot sizes, which deteriorate image graininess, especially in bright images with low to intermediate tones.
Innovation Solution
A recording device with two nozzle groups, one for discharging reaction liquid dots and another for discharging ink dots that coagulate with the reaction liquid, controlled by a unit that ensures the reaction liquid dots are arranged more regularly than the ink dots on the medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dots of reaction liquid are irregularly arranged on the medium, then the positions where individual dots of ink coagulate become irregular and dot sizes become nonuniform, but this irregularity deteriorates image graininess and reduces chroma in bright images with low to intermediate tones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording device into two separate nozzle groups: one dedicated to discharging reaction liquid dots and another to discharging ink dots. This segmentation allows independent control of each liquid type, enabling precise regulation of reaction liquid dot arrangement without being constrained by ink dot placement requirements, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving regular reaction liquid dot arrangement and managing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction liquid dots are discharged and arranged on the medium before the ink dots are applied. This preliminary action ensures that the reaction liquid forms a regular pattern first, which then serves as a template for subsequent ink dot coagulation. By establishing the regular arrangement in advance, the system guarantees uniform coagulation positions and dot sizes without requiring complex real-time coordination between nozzle groups
2Manufacturing precision
If reaction liquid is used to cause ink to coagulate and improve image quality, then graininess is improved, but irregular arrangement of reaction liquid dots causes nonuniform ink dot sizes and deteriorated graininess
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different control strategies to different components: the reaction liquid nozzle group is controlled to produce regularly arranged dots with specific spacing, while the ink nozzle group operates independently to deposit ink at corresponding locations. This local quality differentiation ensures that each component optimizes its function - reaction liquid provides regular spacing while ink provides color - thereby achieving uniform ink dot size through the regular reaction liquid arrangement without requiring complex integrated control
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 the regularity of ink dot coagulation and fixation, resulting in improved image graininess and chroma, particularly in images with low to intermediate tones, while maintaining favorable image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction liquid that causes a component of coloring ink containing a color material to coagulate
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device includes: a first nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge, to a medium, a first dot that is a dot of a reaction liquid; a second nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge, to the medium to which the reaction liquid is discharged, a second dot that is a dot of ink containing a color material that coagulates with the reaction liquid; and a control unit configured to control discharging of the first dot by the first nozzle group and discharging of the second dot by the second nozzle group, in which the control unit controls arrangement, on the medium, of the first dot discharged by the first nozzle group so as to be more regular than arrangement, on the medium, of the second dot discharged by the second nozzle group.