Overlapping Nozzle Head Units for Barcode Recording Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses experience misalignment of ink droplets due to changes in conveying speed, leading to degradation in image quality, particularly when recording barcodes or two-dimensional codes with elements longer than 254 μm in the conveying direction.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus with a liquid ejection head having two head units with overlapping nozzles in the conveying direction, where the controller adjusts the relative displacement and nozzle settings to ensure that only one head unit records images within overlapping ranges, minimizing shifting and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple head units with overlapping nozzles are used to increase recording coverage, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment when conveying speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The recording system is divided into multiple head units, each responsible for specific recording regions. The controller selectively activates only the necessary head unit based on the recording area requirements, preventing interference between multiple nozzles and maintaining precision while enabling extended coverage through coordinated segmentation of recording tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which head unit to activate based on real-time recording requirements and conveys the recording medium at controlled speeds. This dynamic activation and speed control ensure that only one head unit records at a time within overlapping ranges, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling flexible productivity adjustment
2Productivity
If conveying speed is increased to improve productivity, then recording efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment of ink droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors conveying speed and dynamically adjusts recording parameters or head unit selection based on detected speed variations. This feedback mechanism ensures that even at higher conveying speeds, the system maintains precision by compensating for speed fluctuations through intelligent control of the liquid ejection head activation and timing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses image quality degradation by ensuring precise ink placement, even with slight changes in conveying speed, and allows for efficient recording of barcodes or two-dimensional codes by using only the nozzles of one head unit when applicable.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection head having a nozzle surface to which a plurality of nozzles are formed... controls the two head units to eject liquid from the plurality of nozzles to record an image on the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, a relative displacement unit configured to cause the liquid ejection head and a recording medium to relatively displace in a relative displacement direction, and a controller. The liquid ejection head has two head units each having nozzles arranged in a nozzle arrangement direction intersecting with the relative displacement direction. The two head units are arranged such that some of the nozzles of the two head units overlap with each other in the relative displacement direction. When a recording command instructing to record an image on a recording medium is an instruction to record a specific image whose length in the nozzle arrangement direction is equal to or less than an arrangement range of the nozzles of the head unit, the controller controls the two head units to cause only one of the two head units to record the specific image.