Liquid Droplet Ejection on Inclined Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet ejecting apparatuses struggle to form images on inclined surfaces of three-dimensional objects without appearing shrunken when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the ejecting surface.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus equipped with an ejecting head, a distance detector, and a controller. The controller determines if liquid droplets are to be ejected onto an inclined surface based on detected distances and executes ejection control according to user-selected print modes to ensure the image appears as desired.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the image is printed on the inclined surface by reducing the dimension corresponding to the inclined surface in the image data, then the liquid droplets can be ejected onto the inclined surface, but the image appears shrunken when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the ejecting surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different ejection control methods to different regions of the print target. Specifically, when detecting that the liquid droplets are to be ejected onto an inclined surface, the controller executes specialized ejection control for inclined surfaces, while using conventional ejection control for parallel surfaces. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring that inclined surfaces receive optimized treatment that prevents image shrinkage, while other surfaces maintain standard processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the print target's surface characteristics using the distance detector before ejection begins. By detecting the distance between the ejecting surface and the parallel surface, and the distance between the ejecting surface and the inclined surface, the system pre-determines the surface geometry and prepares appropriate ejection control parameters in advance, preventing image distortion before it occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between the ejecting surface and the print medium changes on inclined surfaces, then the liquid droplets land at different positions, but this causes the printed image to be stretched out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the ejection control parameters based on the detected distance information. When the distance detector identifies an inclined surface, the controller dynamically switches to specialized ejection control mode that compensates for the varying distance and surface angle, ensuring consistent image quality across different regions of the print target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the distance detector continuously monitors the distance between the ejecting surface and the print target surfaces. This feedback information is used by the controller to adjust ejection timing and positioning, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for distance variations and prevents image stretching.
3Device complexity
If conventional ejection control is used for inclined surfaces, then the device structure remains simple, but the image appears shrunken and distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional controller that can handle both conventional parallel surface printing and specialized inclined surface printing using a single integrated system. The controller is designed to receive detection results from the distance detector and automatically switch between appropriate ejection control modes, providing universal functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems for different printing scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus, includes: an ejecting head having an ejecting surface, the ejecting head being configured to eject liquid droplets onto a print target based on image data, the print target including a parallel surface and an inclined surface; a distance detector which detects a distance between the ejecting surface and the parallel surface and a distance between the ejecting surface and the inclined surface; and a controller. If the controller determines that the liquid droplets are to be ejected onto the inclined surface based on a detection result of the distance detector, the controller obtains information about a print mode selected by a user from a plurality of print modes related to ejection control of the liquid droplets for the inclined surface; and executes an ejection control of the liquid droplets to the inclined surface based on the print mode selected by the user.