Printer Carriage Control for Multi-Copy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses are inefficient in printing multiple copies as the initial copy takes a significant amount of time, leading to prolonged printing times for subsequent copies due to the carriage's moving distance and time being longer than necessary.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a controller that determines the moving direction of the carriage for subsequent copies based on the moving result of the first copy, ensuring the moving time or distance for subsequent copies is equal to or shorter than that of the first copy, thereby optimizing the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all print jobs are received and a printing method is determined before printing starts, then the printing method can be optimized based on all jobs, but printing for the first copy takes much time
Solution Approach 1:
The controller performs preliminary determination of the printing method based on all received print jobs before actual printing starts. This allows the system to pre-calculate the optimal printing sequence and carriage movement pattern that minimizes total moving distance, so that when printing begins, the first copy can be printed efficiently without real-time calculation delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing method determination timing. Instead of always determining the method before receiving all jobs (which causes delay), the controller determines the printing method based on the number of copies and image types, adapting the determination timing to balance between preparation time and first-copy printing time
2Productivity
If the carriage moves to print multiple copies, then all copies can be printed, but the moving distance and time of the carriage are longer than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The controller segments the printing process into individual copy operations and independently determines the optimal printing method for each copy based on the total number of copies and image types. This segmentation allows the system to optimize carriage movement for each copy rather than using a fixed pattern, reducing unnecessary movement distance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the carriage movement parameters (direction, sequence, stopping positions) based on the number of copies and image types. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the controller optimizes the total moving distance and time for printing multiple copies
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a head to discharge liquid, a carriage to support the head and reciprocate in a forward direction and a backward direction, and a controller. The controller executes a printing process to print one image in a plurality of copies by discharging the liquid from the head while moving the carriage in the forward direction and the backward direction, based on a print job for printing the one image in the plurality of copies, and a first determining process to determine a moving direction of the carriage for second and following copies, based on a moving result of the carriage in printing for the first copy in the printing process.