Liquid Discharge Head Nozzle Control for Gradation Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge technologies face challenges in efficiently forming images with high gradation density, particularly in managing the discharge of droplets of different sizes and the number of non-discharge nozzles across varying gradation portions.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a liquid discharge head and circuitry that selectively discharges the largest droplets in higher gradation portions and adjusts the number of non-discharge nozzles to optimize image formation across different gradation values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of non-discharge nozzles is decreased from the first gradation portion to the second gradation portion, then the image density and coverage are improved, but the influence of airflows increases causing white streaks and black streaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating nozzle discharge behavior across different gradation portions. In the first gradation portion (lower density), more nozzles are set as non-discharge nozzles to reduce airflow. In the second gradation portion (higher density), fewer nozzles are non-discharge to improve coverage. This spatial differentiation of nozzle functions resolves the contradiction between coverage and airflow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the number of non-discharge nozzles based on the gradation portion. The system dynamically changes the configuration of discharge and non-discharge nozzles according to the required image density level, optimizing both coverage and airflow influence reduction adaptively across different regions of the image.
2Manufacturing precision
If the largest droplets are selectively discharged in the second gradation portion, then the image coverage and density are improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the droplet discharge function by dividing nozzles into different types (first type, second type, third type) that discharge different droplet sizes. This segmentation allows selective discharge of largest droplets in the second gradation portion using specific nozzle types, achieving improved coverage while managing control complexity through structured classification of nozzle functions.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple types of droplets with different discharge amounts are used, then the gradation density is improved, but the number of nozzles required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing nozzles that can function in multiple modes. The same physical nozzle structure can operate as a discharge nozzle or non-discharge nozzle depending on the gradation portion, and different nozzle types can discharge different droplet sizes. This multi-functionality allows achieving high gradation density without proportionally increasing the total number of nozzles required.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head and circuitry. The liquid discharge head includes nozzles to discharge two or more types of droplets each having a different discharge amount onto a medium to form an image having gradation of density in accordance with an input gradation value input. The input gradation value increases from a first gradation portion to a second gradation portion higher than the first gradation portion. The circuitry causes the liquid discharge head to selectively discharge the largest droplets of the two or more types of droplets from the multiple nozzles in the second gradation portion of the gradation value, and causes the liquid discharge head to decrease a number of non-discharge nozzles that do not discharge droplets from the first gradation portion to the second gradation portion while increasing the number of non-discharge nozzles in a part of the first gradation portion.