Print Head Nozzle Control for Variable Media Permeation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing methods fail to optimize the use of processing liquids for diverse print media, leading to inconsistencies in print quality due to varying permeation speeds and material properties, which affects the timing and application of inks and working liquids.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a control unit that adjusts the timing and relative position of nozzles based on attribute information of the print medium, such as permeation speed, to synchronize the application of inks and working liquids, allowing for different pass operations or simultaneous operations depending on the medium's characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a processing liquid is used to promote solidification of ink and coloring material, then print quality such as optical density and fixing speed is improved, but print quality differences occur across different print medium types due to varying permeation speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle configuration adaptable rather than fixed. The print head can switch between different nozzle groups (first nozzle group and second nozzle group) depending on the print medium type. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize liquid application timing for each medium's permeation characteristics, resolving the contradiction between achieving high print quality and maintaining adaptability across diverse media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle selection based on print medium attributes. By detecting the print medium type and accordingly selecting which nozzle group to use (first or second), the system adjusts the liquid application parameters to match the permeation speed characteristics of each medium, thereby maintaining consistent print quality across different media types.
2Ease of manufacture
If the timing of liquid application is fixed, then the printing process is simple, but print quality varies due to different permeation speeds of different print media
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static, fixed timing approach to a dynamic, adaptive timing mechanism. The control unit detects print medium attributes and automatically adjusts which nozzle group is activated, thereby optimizing liquid application timing for each medium type without complicating the overall printing process for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing apparatus performs self-adjustment based on detected print medium characteristics. The control unit automatically selects the appropriate nozzle group without requiring manual intervention or complex user configuration, maintaining ease of operation while achieving consistent print quality across different media.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle group is used for all print media, then the device structure is simple, but optimal printing cannot be achieved for diversified print media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzle system into multiple independent nozzle groups (first nozzle group and second nozzle group), each potentially optimized for different liquid application requirements. This segmentation allows the system to select the most appropriate nozzle group for each print medium type, achieving optimal printing results without requiring a completely different print head for each medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The print head is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple nozzle groups that can be selectively activated. This universal design allows a single print head to handle diverse print medium types effectively, providing optimal printing performance across different media without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a printing apparatus including a print head that has a color nozzle row for applying ink to a roll paper and a working liquid nozzle row, a main scanning unit that relatively moves the print head with respect to the roll paper in the main scanning direction (X-axis direction), a sub-scanning unit that relatively moves the roll paper in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) intersecting the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) with respect to the print head, and a control device that controls a relative position between a use area of the nozzle included in the color nozzle row in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) and a use area of the nozzle included in a working liquid nozzle row, based on the attribute information of the roll paper.