Print Data Generation Apparatus Ink Drying Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Print devices face issues with banding and color density variations due to differences in ink dryness and permeation between adjacent pixel arrays formed in the sub-scanning direction, leading to inadequate representation of color density in printed images.
Innovation Solution
A print data generation apparatus and method that divides print data into multiple sets to adjust the scanning pattern, ensuring that ink from one pixel array has dried before being adjacent to another, thereby controlling ink permeation and spreading, and using a multi-pass method to enhance ink ejection precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ejection head moves quickly to form adjacent pixel arrays in the sub-scanning direction, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to banding and color density variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary drying action by controlling the timing between ejection of adjacent pixel arrays. The ejection head is controlled to eject ink for one pixel array, allow it to dry, then eject ink for the next adjacent pixel array. This preliminary drying action prevents the harmful effect of wet ink from subsequent arrays spreading onto previously printed areas, thereby maintaining color density uniformity while enabling continuous high-speed printing.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ink ejection amount is increased to secure color density, then the color density is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for precise control of ejection timing and amount
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by alternating between ejection operations and drying periods. The ejection head operates in cycles: eject ink for a pixel array, pause to allow drying, then eject ink for the next pixel array. This periodic rhythm simplifies control by using regular time intervals between ejections rather than requiring complex real-time adjustment of ejection parameters, thereby achieving consistent color density without excessive device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the multi-pass method is used to reduce precision errors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple scanning passes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the printing process by dividing adjacent pixel arrays into separate ejection operations. Instead of ejecting all pixel arrays in one continuous pass, the method segments the process into discrete units: eject for array 1, dry, eject for array 2, dry, and so on. This segmentation allows each ejection to be precisely controlled and positioned without the cumulative errors that would occur in a multi-pass approach, achieving high precision in a single pass while avoiding time loss.
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 improves print quality by minimizing banding and maintaining consistent color density across the image, as the ink from one pixel array dries before being adjacent to another, and the multi-pass method reduces precision errors in ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
the ink ejected onto a subsequent pixel that is adjacent in the sub-scanning direction to the preceding pixel whose ink has dried to some extent is unlikely to permeate into the record medium in a thickness direction of the record medium, due to a film formed by the dried ink
Implementation Method 2
the ink in the preceding pixel whose ink has not dried and the ink ejected onto the subsequent pixel that is adjacent in the sub-scanning direction both dry out while permeating into the record medium and spreading
Data Source
AI summary
Original print data includes ejection information to form a plurality of pixel arrays each including pixels arranged in a first direction. A plurality of divided print data are generated based on the ejection information included in the original print data. At least one of divided print data includes the ejection information to form a first pixel array and a second pixel array, not a third pixel array. The second pixel array is included in the plurality of pixel arrays aligned in a second direction corresponding to the original print data and is not adjacent to the first pixel array in the second direction. The third pixel array is included in the plurality of pixel arrays aligned in the second direction corresponding to the original print data, and is between the first pixel array and the second pixel array in the second direction and adjacent to the first pixel array.