Liquid Discharge Head Nozzle Control for Stable Droplet Landing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge technologies face issues with droplet deflection and uneven landing due to airflow interference, particularly in high gradation portions, leading to streaks and uneven image quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus and method that uses multiple nozzle types to discharge droplets of varying sizes and maintains a constant ratio of non-discharge nozzles, adjusting the number of nozzles that discharge droplets based on input gradation values to minimize airflow interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of nozzles discharging droplets is increased to achieve higher gradation values, then image density is improved, but droplet deflection and uneven landing occur due to airflow interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle array into multiple independent groups that can be selectively activated or deactivated. Each group can be controlled independently to discharge droplets or maintain non-discharge state, allowing precise control over the number of active nozzles based on gradation requirements while managing airflow interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of nozzles in non-discharge state based on the input gradation value. As gradation increases, the system transitions from having more nozzles in non-discharge state to having fewer, thereby controlling droplet density and airflow interference dynamically rather than using a fixed configuration.
2Quantity of substance
If more nozzles are used to discharge droplets for high gradation values, then image density increases, but droplet spacing decreases leading to increased airflow influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different discharge patterns in different regions of the nozzle array. Nozzles are selectively activated or deactivated based on their position and the required gradation, allowing optimal local droplet spacing to be maintained even when overall droplet density needs to increase for high gradation values.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ratio of non-discharge nozzles is changed to achieve different gradation levels, then gradation range is improved, but image uniformity deteriorates due to uneven droplet distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle discharge state (discharge vs. non-discharge) to achieve different gradation levels. By systematically varying which nozzles are active based on the input gradation value, the system achieves a wide gradation range while maintaining uniform droplet distribution through controlled parameter changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head and circuitry. The liquid discharge head has multiple nozzles. The circuitry causes the liquid discharge head to discharge two or more types of the liquid droplets having at least: a first droplet; a second droplet; and a non-discharge droplet, to form an image according to an input gradation value of the image. Further, the circuitry causes the liquid discharge head to increase a first number of the multiple nozzles that discharge the first droplet in a second range while decreasing a second number of the multiple nozzles that discharge the non-discharge droplet with an increase in the input gradation value, and causes the liquid discharge head to keep a constant ratio of the second number of the multiple nozzles to a total number of the multiple nozzles in at least one part of the first range in the input gradation value.