Print Data Orientation Selection for Sheet Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies fail to effectively reduce sheet conveyance failures in printing apparatuses due to sheet deformation, particularly when the printed surface absorbs liquid ink, leading to convex deformation and subsequent conveyance issues.

Innovation Solution

A printing system comprising a print executing portion, an image orientation selecting portion, and a print data generating portion, which selects an optimal image orientation based on partial image data to minimize ink usage and prevent deformation, using a conveying mechanism with a downstream roller to pinch and convey the sheet, and a print head with nozzles to eject ink, thereby reducing the likelihood of conveyance failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sheet absorbs liquid ink in a conventional printing apparatus, then the printing process can be completed, but the sheet deforms convexly causing conveyance failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting completionVSAvoidconveyance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of ink amounts for different image orientations before actual printing. By computing the ink absorption characteristics for each orientation in advance, the system selects the optimal orientation that prevents convex deformation, thereby avoiding conveyance failures before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the orientation parameter of the image to be printed based on calculated ink absorption characteristics. By selecting from multiple possible orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), the system finds an orientation where ink absorption does not cause excessive convex deformation, thus maintaining reliable sheet conveyance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the print duty of the first half image is greater than the second half image, then the known technique switches image orientation, but this does not effectively reduce sheet conveyance failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic orientation switchingVSAvoidconveyance reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a simple print duty comparison, the system calculates actual ink absorption amounts for different image orientations and selects the orientation with minimum ink absorption. This parameter-based approach directly addresses the root cause of convex deformation rather than relying on indirect print duty metrics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback from ink absorption calculations to determine the optimal image orientation. By evaluating how different orientations affect ink absorption and consequently sheet deformation, the system uses this feedback information to make informed orientation decisions that prevent conveyance failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system efficiently reduces instances of sheet conveyance failures by selecting an image orientation that minimizes ink usage and deformation, ensuring smooth conveyance by determining the optimal image orientation using partial image data related to the distance between the most-upstream nozzle and the downstream roller.

Implementation Method 1

a downstream roller configured to pinch and convey the printing medium at a position downstream from the print head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The print head may comprise a plurality of nozzles and may be configured to eject ink from the plurality of nozzles onto the printing medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 3

the sheet may deform convexly due to moisture when a portion of a printed surface of the sheet absorbs liquid ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9071786B2Printing and print data generating devices, computer-readable media for storing generating instructions, and methods of generating print data

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A print data generating device includes an image orientation selecting portion and a print data generating portion. The image orientation selecting portion may select one image orientation of an image to be printed from several image orientations by using partial image data. The print data generating portion may generate print data for printing the image according to the one image orientation. Each image orientation may be with respect to a conveying direction. Each partial image data may correspond to a respective image orientation, a respective partial image, and a respective portion of the image to be printed. Each partial image may be printed in an area defined by a particular distance determined from a corresponding edge of the printing medium. The particular distance may be based on a distance between a location of a downstream roller and a location of a most-upstream nozzle for a printer in the conveying direction.