Print Device Firing Encoder Synchronization via Predictive Position Following
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printing systems face errors due to fluctuations and deviations in media transport, such as vibrations and slippage, which desynchronize firing pulse signals and affect print quality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a predictive position following method to resynchronize firing pulse signals with the position of the print medium, using encoder signals processed to account for media properties and noise filtering, ensuring accurate timing and reduced errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional encoder-based synchronization is used, then basic timing control is achieved, but print quality deteriorates due to vibrations and slippage during media transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by predicting future media position based on current encoder readings and transport characteristics. The predictive algorithm calculates expected position deviations before they occur, allowing the firing pulse signals to be pre-adjusted to compensate for anticipated vibrations and slippage, thereby maintaining print quality despite media transport fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring encoder signals and using this information to dynamically adjust firing pulse timing. The controller compares actual media position feedback with predicted position, and modifies subsequent firing signals to compensate for detected deviations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains synchronization accuracy despite transport disturbances
2Productivity
If high-speed media transport is used, then productivity increases, but synchronization errors increase due to amplified vibrations and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the firing pulse timing adaptive rather than fixed. The predictive algorithm continuously adjusts timing based on real-time encoder feedback and predicted transport behavior, allowing the system to maintain synchronization accuracy across varying transport speeds. This dynamic adjustment compensates for speed-dependent vibrations and slippage that occur during high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by dynamically modifying firing pulse timing based on predicted media position and detected transport characteristics. The controller adjusts timing parameters in real-time according to media type, transport speed, and detected vibrations, allowing optimal synchronization to be maintained across different operating conditions and maximizing productivity without sacrificing reliability
3Manufacturing precision
If predictive position following is implemented, then print quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary predictive algorithm that acts as a mediator between the simple encoder feedback and the complex timing requirements. Rather than directly complexifying the control system, the patent introduces a computational layer that processes encoder signals and generates corrected timing signals, maintaining relative system simplicity while achieving high print quality through intelligent signal processing
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a print device by generating a firing encoder signal from varying one or more characteristics of a reference signal where the one or more characteristics are varied based on at least the position of a print medium at a reference time. The firing encoder signal is used to synchronize firing of at least one print head of the print device after the reference time.