Printer Illumination Control for Gloss Print Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In gloss printing, existing printers often experience a striped pattern in ink layers due to uneven curing, leading to deteriorated print quality.
Innovation Solution
A printer configuration that adjusts the distance between the platen and the illumination device in the height direction during normal and gloss print modes, allowing for controlled ink ejection and light irradiation to ensure uniform curing and prevent striped patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If only the upstream LEDs are illuminated to secure smoothing time, then the time for smoothing is sufficient, but striped patterns occur due to uneven curing at boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the illumination state based on the carriage position. When the carriage is at the upstream end, only upstream LEDs are illuminated to provide smoothing time. When the carriage moves to the downstream end, downstream LEDs are also illuminated to ensure uniform curing and prevent striped patterns. This dynamic switching of illumination zones resolves the contradiction between providing sufficient smoothing time and maintaining curing uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different illumination strategies to different spatial zones. Upstream LEDs provide illumination for the upstream portion of the ink layer where smoothing time is needed, while downstream LEDs provide illumination for the downstream portion where uniform curing is critical. This localized quality control prevents striped patterns while maintaining smoothing capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If all LEDs are illuminated continuously, then uniform curing is achieved, but insufficient time is available for smoothing the ink layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic illumination control where the illumination pattern changes based on carriage position. During the upstream portion of the scan, only upstream LEDs are activated, creating a time delay that allows smoothing. During the downstream portion, all LEDs are activated to ensure uniform curing. This temporal and spatial dynamic control resolves the contradiction between curing uniformity and smoothing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination is applied in periodic phases corresponding to the carriage movement. First, upstream LEDs illuminate while the carriage moves upstream, allowing smoothing. Then, all LEDs illuminate as the carriage moves downstream, ensuring uniform curing. This periodic illumination pattern resolves the time conflict.
3Productivity
If the carriage moves faster to increase productivity, then output increases, but the ink layer does not have sufficient time to smooth properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by having upstream LEDs illuminate during the entire upstream carriage movement, maximizing the utilization of the time available for smoothing. This continuous illumination during the smoothing phase ensures that even at high speeds, the ink layer receives adequate curing exposure while maintaining the smoothing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts illumination based on carriage position and speed. At higher printing speeds, the illumination timing is optimized to provide maximum smoothing time during the upstream portion of the scan, while maintaining overall productivity through efficient use of the scanning cycle.
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
The solution effectively suppresses the occurrence of striped patterns in ink layers, thereby improving print quality and achieving a smoother finish in gloss printing.
Implementation Method 1
a color ink head, a clear ink head, a plurality of color LEDs, and a plurality of white/clear LEDs are provided on a carriage... irradiate light onto the object to be printed... forms a layer of color ink on the object to be printed, and forms a layer of clear ink on the layer of color ink
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a platen, a first head, a second head, and an illumination device. In a normal print mode, the first head, the second head, and the illumination device are moved relatively with respect to the platen in a main scanning direction, in a state in which a distance between the platen and a predetermined position of the illumination device in the height direction is a first distance, and the ink is ejected onto an object to be printed placed on the platen and the light is irradiated onto the ejected ink. In a gloss print mode, the first head, the second head, and the illumination device are moved relatively with respect to the platen in the main scanning direction, in a state in which the distance between the platen and the predetermined position in the height direction is a second distance larger than the first distance.