Print Head Nozzle Density and Energy Adjustment for Wider Printable Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing full-line print heads with parallelogram-shaped element substrates have reduced nozzle rows at the ends, limiting throughput and narrowing the printable area due to the angled joining portions, which reduces the effective use of nozzles.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus features a print head with varying nozzle row densities, where the end substrates have fewer nozzle rows but higher energy discharge, allowing for larger ink dots, and the central substrates have more nozzle rows with lower energy discharge, optimizing the use of nozzles across the print head to maintain throughput while expanding the printable area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If element substrates are arranged in a single row with angled joining portions to reduce size, then the print head size is decreased, but the printable area is narrowed due to fewer nozzle rows at the end portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the nozzle row configuration between end portions and central portions of the print head. Specifically, the end portions have fewer nozzle rows while the central portions maintain the standard number of nozzle rows, allowing each region to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall print head compactness
2Reliability
If end portions with fewer nozzle rows are excluded from printing to maintain quality, then printing quality is preserved, but throughput is reduced due to loss of printable area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of energy discharge at the end portions, setting it higher than at the central portions. This parameter change allows the end portions with fewer nozzle rows to still produce adequate print quality by compensating with increased energy per nozzle, thereby including these areas in the printable region and improving throughput
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 configuration ensures desired throughput while providing a wider printable area by effectively utilizing all nozzles, including those at the ends, by adjusting energy levels and nozzle row densities, thus enhancing printing efficiency and coverage.
Implementation Method 1
an element configured to generate energy used for discharging the ink from the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
an element configured to generate energy used for discharging the ink from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a number of nozzle rows in a first area on a side of one end of a first substrate closest to one end of a print head is set to be lower than a number of nozzle rows on a central side of the print head relative to the first area, and energy for driving the element on the first substrate is set to be larger than energy for driving the element on a second substrate on the central side of the print head relative to the first substrate to set a dot to be formed on the recording medium by ink discharged from a nozzle in the first area to be larger than a dot to be formed on the recording medium by ink discharged from a nozzle in the second substrate.