Inkjet Recording Apparatus White Ink Coverage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-quality image formation with increased white ink coverage without prolonging image formation time or increasing the size and cost of the apparatus by requiring multiple heads or increased scanning of white ink.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs multiple inkjet heads with a first controller for color inks to increase ink dots in the main scanning direction and a second controller for white ink to decrease ink dots while increasing the number of ink drops per dot, optimizing print resolution and coverage without enlarging the apparatus or prolonging processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of print scans for white ink is increased to be greater than the other color inks, then coverage of the print surface with white ink is improved, but image formation time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the white ink ejection function into multiple independent heads (first white ink head and second white ink head) positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows parallel processing where multiple heads can deposit white ink simultaneously on different regions of the recording medium, thereby increasing overall coverage without extending the time required for a single pass, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage and image formation time.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of heads for white ink is increased to be greater than the other color inks, then coverage of the print surface with white ink is improved, but the whole apparatus becomes large and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning white ink heads only at specific locations (both ends in the main scanning direction) rather than uniformly distributing them across the entire apparatus. This localized placement achieves effective white ink coverage at the edges and corners where it is most needed, while avoiding the complexity and cost of having multiple white ink heads throughout the entire system.
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of ink dots formed in the main scanning direction is increased for color inks, then print resolution is improved, but the number of ink drops ejected per dot must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of the inkjet heads where the number of ink drops ejected per dot is adjusted based on the required print resolution. For color inks requiring high resolution, the system dynamically reduces the number of ink drops per dot while increasing the density of ink dots in the main scanning direction. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between resolution and ink consumption based on the specific printing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an inkjet recording apparatus includes a plurality of inkjet heads of a multi-drop method, a first controller, and a second controller. The first controller controls ejection of ink drops from a first inkjet head for ejecting a first ink for which print resolution is required, in a manner that a number of ink dots formed in a main scanning direction is great, and that the number of ink drops ejected for each one of the ink dots is small. The second controller controls ejection of the ink drops from a second inkjet head for ejecting a second ink for which coverage over a recording surface of the recording medium is required, in a manner that a number of ink dots formed in the main scanning direction is small, and that the number of ink drops ejected for each of the ink dots is great.