Printer Ink Ejection Control for Mist Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printers face challenges in reducing mist generation while maintaining high-quality image printing, especially when printing three-dimensional images on media with lens layers, as small ink drops tend to form mists due to increased distances and lower absorption rates, affecting image resolution and quality.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that adjusts the ejection ratio of ink drops based on image data, reducing the ejection ratio of smaller dots in the end section area and increasing it for larger dots, and using the largest dot size in the end section area to minimize mist formation while maintaining high resolution, especially when printing on lens sheets with lenticular lenses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If small ink drops are used for high-resolution printing, then image quality is improved, but mist generation increases due to longer travel distance and lower absorption rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating dot size selection based on spatial location. In the central printing area, small dots are used for high resolution, while in the end section area, large dots are used to prevent mist. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing dot size for each specific region's requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of dot size based on the printing area. By dynamically adjusting the dot size parameter from small (for high resolution) to large (for mist prevention) depending on the location, the system resolves the contradiction between resolution and mist generation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If large ink drops are used to reduce mist generation, then mist formation is reduced, but image resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating dot size selection based on spatial location. In the central printing area, small dots are used for high resolution, while in the end section area, large dots are used to prevent mist. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing dot size for each specific region's requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If small dots are ejected in the end section area, then high resolution is maintained, but mist generation increases due to increased distance from nozzle to ink absorber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating dot size selection based on spatial location. In the central printing area, small dots are used for high resolution, while in the end section area, large dots are used to prevent mist. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing dot size for each specific region's requirements.
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
Effectively reduces mist generation during printing without significantly impacting image quality, as the adjusted ejection ratios and dot sizes minimize drift and absorption issues, maintaining high resolution even when observed through lens layers.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection section that ejects a liquid and forms dots having different sizes
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a liquid ejection section and a drive control section. The liquid ejection section is configured to eject a plurality of types of liquids and form dots having different sizes. The drive control section is configured to control a dot size of the liquids to be ejected by the liquid ejection section based on image data. When an image including a three-dimensional image in which a plurality of linear images are arrayed is printed on a medium, the liquid ejection section is configured to eject the liquids, at least in an end section area in an array direction of the linear images in a print area of the image, under a setting in which an ejection ratio of relatively small dots is set lower than in an inner area that is positioned more inward than the end section area.