Liquid Discharge Apparatus Multi-Layer Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid discharge apparatuses face issues with over-edges of images when forming a second image on a first image, as the medium may expand or shrink due to ink deposition, leading to misalignment and edge protrusions.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a control portion that adjusts the relative movement amounts between the medium and the discharge portion for forming the first and second images separately, allowing for precise control of movement and discharge timing to prevent over-edges, using a medium support unit, transport roller, or discharge unit to manage these movements based on the medium's properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a second image is formed on a first image using a liquid discharge apparatus, then multi-layer image formation is achieved, but over-edge of the images occurs due to medium expansion or shrinkage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the movement amount adjustable and variable based on the imaging sequence. The control portion changes the movement amount dynamically - using a first movement amount for the base layer and a second movement amount (different from the first) for the overlay image. This dynamic adjustment compensates for medium expansion or shrinkage that occurs during liquid discharge, thereby preventing over-edge while maintaining multi-layer image formation capability.
2Productivity
If the medium is moved and discharge portion moves relatively to form images, then image formation is achieved, but medium expansion or shrinkage causes misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the movement parameter (movement amount) based on the imaging sequence. The control portion stores different movement amounts (first movement amount for base layer, second movement amount for overlay) and selects the appropriate parameter depending on which image is being formed. This parameter change compensates for medium dimensional changes caused by liquid absorption, maintaining alignment precision without reducing image formation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion, a movement portion, and a control portion capable of executing an image forming operation of forming an image on the medium by a discharge operation of causing the discharge portion to discharge the liquid and a movement operation of causing the movement portion to move the medium and the discharge portion relatively to each other in a movement direction. The control portion is capable of changing a first amount of movement that is an amount of movement to be made by the movement operation to form a first image and a second amount of movement that is an amount of movement to be made by the movement operation to form a second image in a case where after the first image is formed, the second image is formed on the first image.