Overlapping Nozzle Ink Landing Shift Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses with overlapping nozzle rows often experience ink landing position shifts due to large nozzle-to-medium distances, leading to deteriorated image quality, especially at the end sections of the nozzle rows.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a control system that prevents adjacent and overlapping nozzles in the first and second nozzle rows from discharging ink during specific discharge cycles, based on the separation distance between nozzles and the recording medium, to prevent overlapping and maintain accurate ink placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzle rows are disposed adjacent to and parallel to one another with overlapping end sections, then printing coverage and efficiency are improved, but ink landing position shifts occur leading to deteriorated image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle rows are segmented into first and second nozzle rows with distinct discharge patterns. The control section selectively disables nozzles in the overlapping section during alternate discharge cycles, creating separate printing regions that prevent ink overlap while maintaining high printing efficiency through parallel processing of multiple nozzle rows
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic discharge patterns where nozzles in the overlapping section are alternately activated and deactivated across different discharge cycles. This periodic control ensures that ink from the first nozzle row and second nozzle row do not overlap on the recording medium, maintaining precise landing positions while preserving printing productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between nozzles and recording medium is increased, then nozzle design flexibility is improved, but ink landing position shifts become significant especially at end sections
Solution Approach 1:
The control section applies different discharge control strategies to different regions of the nozzle rows. Specifically, nozzles in the overlapping end sections are selectively disabled during alternate cycles, while nozzles in non-overlapping sections continue to discharge normally. This localized control compensates for the increased distance effect at critical positions without compromising overall printing quality
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 approach prevents ink overlapping, thereby enhancing image quality by ensuring precise ink placement and reducing positional shifts, even at the end sections of the nozzle rows, resulting in improved printing accuracy and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of nozzles that perform printing by discharging an ink, as liquid droplets, onto the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a transport section, a printing section, and a control section. The printing section is configured to move in an intersecting direction intersecting a transport direction of a recording medium. The printing section includes a plurality of nozzles that are configured to perform printing by discharging an ink onto the recording medium. The control section is configured to control the transport section and the printing section. The printing section includes a first nozzle row and a second nozzle row, the first and second nozzle rows form an overlapping section in which the first and second nozzle rows overlap each other as viewed in the intersecting direction. The control section is configured to control a plurality of adjacent nozzles among the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row, which are in the vicinity of the overlapping section, not to discharge the ink.