Printer Control Device for Media Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing technologies do not adequately consider the transportation pathway of print media, leading to issues such as curling and contamination during the printing process, particularly when dealing with different types of print media that deform convexly or concavely.
Innovation Solution
A control device is configured to select the appropriate printing control based on the type of print medium and transportation pathway, using a printing head with nozzles aligned along a specific direction and a medium transportation unit that can deform the print medium convexly or concavely, ensuring precise ink discharge and media alignment to prevent contamination and banding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single transportation pathway is used for all print media, then the device structure is simple, but printing quality deteriorates due to media deformation (curling, banding)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between different transportation pathways (first pathway for convex deformation, second pathway for concave deformation) based on the print media type. The control device determines the appropriate pathway by detecting media characteristics and switches the transportation configuration accordingly, making the system adaptable to different media without requiring a completely separate system for each media type.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the transportation system are optimized for different media types. The first transportation pathway is specifically designed to deform media convexly toward the platen, while the second pathway deforms media concavely. This local optimization ensures that each pathway is tailored to handle specific media characteristics, improving overall printing quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If transportation amount is increased for edge printing, then edge image coverage is improved, but media deformation and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the transportation amount parameter based on the printing region. When printing edge images, the transportation amount is adjusted to account for media deformation characteristics. By dynamically modifying this parameter according to the specific media type and deformation pattern, the system achieves accurate edge image placement while minimizing contamination risks.
3Manufacturing precision
If printing control is standardized for all media types, then the control system is simple, but printing precision deteriorates due to ignoring media deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The printing control system dynamically adapts to different media types by selecting appropriate control parameters based on detected media characteristics. The control device adjusts transportation amounts, printing speeds, and other parameters in real-time according to the specific media being printed, maintaining high print resolution without requiring completely separate control systems for each media type.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device may specify a target transportation pathway to be used for transporting a target print medium, select one type of printing control in accordance with the specified target transportation pathway, and control a print performing unit in accordance with the selected one type of printing control. In each of a first type of printing control and a second type of printing control, when a central image is to be printed, the target print medium is transported by a first transportation amount. In the first type of printing control, when an edge image is to be printed, the target print medium is not transported by a transportation amount greater than the first transportation amount. In the second type of printing control, when the edge image is to be printed, the target print medium is transported by a second transportation amount greater than the first transportation amount.