Printer Head Test Pattern Printing on Primer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing printing devices face inefficiencies in checking the ink discharge condition of printer heads, particularly when using a white medium, as it is difficult to visually inspect the test pattern printed with white ink, leading to complex and time-consuming medium replacement processes that reduce overall work efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A printing device with a test print setting mechanism that allows for printing a test pattern on a primer of complementary color, such as black ink for white ink, enabling easy detection of clogged nozzles without medium replacement, by using a printer head with specific-color heads for each color, including white, and a control unit to manage the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a test pattern is printed on a white medium to check ink discharge condition, then the medium color matches the white ink making visual inspection difficult, but replacing the medium with a transparent medium enables clear visualization of the test pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by printing a primer pattern with a first color (e.g., black) before printing the test pattern with white ink. This pre-prepared contrasting background enables clear visual inspection of the white ink discharge condition without needing to replace the medium, thus resolving the contradiction between inspection clarity and process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes by introducing a primer pattern with a first color (black) that contrasts with the white ink test pattern. This color contrast mechanism enables clear visual detection of the test pattern on the same white medium, eliminating the need for medium replacement while maintaining inspection effectiveness
2Measurement precision
If medium replacement is performed to enable clear visualization of white ink test pattern, then visual inspection becomes possible, but work efficiency is reduced due to additional time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-printing the primer pattern with contrasting color before the white ink test pattern, the system eliminates the need for medium replacement. This preliminary action ensures that visual inspection can be performed directly on the same medium, thereby maintaining work efficiency while achieving clear visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the primer printing and test pattern printing into a single continuous process on the same medium. By combining these operations and using color contrast, the system achieves both clear visual inspection and maintained productivity without the need for separate medium replacement steps
Data Source
AI summary
Including either a platen or a flat bed, and a printer head; the printing device is configured in such a way as to print by making a combination of a reciprocating motion of the printer head and an operation of discharging ink toward a white medium. Meanwhile, the printer head includes a plurality of heads individually corresponding to each color. The printing device includes a control unit for setting a test pattern for testing each color, and pattern print areas where the test pattern is printed. The control unit makes a setting in such a way that, for the pattern print area where a test pattern is printed by discharging white ink of a nearly-identical color as a color of the white medium, the test pattern is printed with the white ink on a primer print prepared with black ink.