Nozzle Row Driving Data Conversion for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in efficiently managing and expanding the number of nozzle rows due to limitations in control circuits, requiring extensive modifications when additional printing heads are added, which restricts the use of more printing heads beyond the capacity of existing control circuits.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle row driving data conversion apparatus that converts n sets of nozzle row driving data for (n+m) rows of nozzles into (n+m) sets of data, allowing for easy replacement and configuration of liquid droplet ejecting heads with varying numbers of nozzle rows, using a programmable logic device to facilitate flexible data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of printing heads is increased to achieve higher resolution and speed, then the printing performance is improved, but the control circuit complexity increases requiring extensive modifications
Solution Approach 1:
A data conversion apparatus is introduced as an intermediary component between the control circuit and the printing head. This apparatus converts driving data from n sets to (n+m) sets, allowing the control circuit to manage (n+m) nozzle rows without requiring (n+m) separate control circuits. The conversion apparatus acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between the limited control circuit capacity and the increased printing head capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving data for (n+m) nozzle rows is segmented and reorganized through the data conversion apparatus. The apparatus divides and rearranges the driving data into appropriate sets, allowing efficient management of multiple nozzle rows through a single control circuit. This segmentation enables the system to handle increased complexity in the data domain rather than requiring proportional increases in control circuit complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional printing heads are mounted to increase nozzle row capacity, then the printing capability is enhanced, but the existing control circuits cannot accommodate the increased number of printing heads
Solution Approach 1:
The data conversion apparatus provides universal functionality by handling multiple nozzle row configurations (n and n+m) through a single device. It can convert driving data for different numbers of nozzle rows, making the control circuit adaptable to various printing head configurations without requiring separate specialized control circuits for each configuration type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active nozzle rows through the data conversion apparatus. The apparatus can process driving data for different numbers of nozzle rows (n or n+m), allowing the printing system to flexibly adapt to different printing tasks and head configurations without modifying the underlying control circuit architecture.
3Productivity
If the control circuit is modified to accommodate more printing heads, then the printing capacity is increased, but the manufacturing cost and complexity of modification increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data conversion apparatus serves as a standalone intermediary device that handles the complexity of managing multiple nozzle rows. By placing the conversion function in a separate apparatus rather than modifying the control circuit directly, the system achieves increased printing capacity without incurring the high costs and complexity of control circuit redesign and manufacturing modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes (n+m) nozzle rows in each of which a plurality of nozzles through which liquid droplets are ejected onto a printing medium are arranged; a nozzle row driving data generation portion configured to generate n sets of nozzle row driving data for the (n+m) rows of nozzles each for driving a corresponding one of the (n+m) nozzle rows; and a nozzle row driving data conversion portion configured to convert the generated n sets of nozzle row driving data that are associated with the (n+m) rows of nozzle row driving data into (n+m) sets of nozzle row driving data each of which is associated with a corresponding one of the (n+m) rows of nozzle row driving data.