Print Control Apparatus Managing Wind Ripples in High-Density Inkjet Nozzle Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density inkjet printers experience wind ripples due to the interaction of ink ejection from closely arranged nozzles, leading to density unevenness in printed images, which degrades image quality.
Innovation Solution
A print control apparatus and method that controls the ejection of fluid from a nozzle array by dividing the ejection into multiple movements when the ejection amount exceeds a predetermined threshold, adjusting threshold values based on the distance between the medium and nozzle array, movement direction, and including acceleration and deceleration regions to minimize wind ripples and density unevenness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-density nozzles are arranged in lines and eject ink simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but wind ripples occur causing density unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous ejection process into discrete segments by introducing dummy shots between actual ink ejections. This segmentation breaks the continuous ink stream into separated pulses, preventing the formation of wind ripples while maintaining high-density nozzle arrangement and printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic ejection patterns by alternating between dummy shots and actual ink ejections in a predetermined sequence. This periodic action creates regular intervals between ink pulses, stabilizing the air stream and preventing density unevenness caused by wind ripples.
2Productivity
If multiple shots of ejection are performed in sequence, then productivity is improved, but ink flight trajectory fluctuates causing belt-shaped density unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by ejecting dummy shots before actual ink ejections. These preliminary dummy shots prepare the air stream and nozzle environment, ensuring that subsequent ink ejections occur under stable conditions, thereby maintaining consistent landing positions across multiple sequential shots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes ejection parameters by varying the timing and frequency of dummy shots relative to actual ink ejections. By adjusting these parameters based on nozzle position and ejection sequence, the system maintains optimal ink flight trajectory stability while achieving comprehensive area coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A print control apparatus which controls ejection of fluid from a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in lines, and movement of the nozzle array in a direction intersecting a direction in which the nozzles are arranged in lines, in which the ejection of the fluid to the continued regions is performed by a plurality of movements of the nozzle array when an ejection amount of the fluid to continued regions in one movement of the nozzle array exceeds a predetermined threshold value.