Printer Ink Speed Control for Layer Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printers, simply increasing print speed from front printing mode to back printing mode can lead to image quality degradation due to the background image being printed before the main image dries, causing issues like smearing or feathering between ink layers.

Innovation Solution

A printer with a liquid discharge head and processor that adjusts print speed based on the amount of liquid applied for the preceding image, using multiple nozzle lines to discharge different inks, ensuring proper drying and preventing ink layer interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If print speed is increased when switching from front printing mode to back printing mode, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to smearing or feathering between ink layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint speedVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the print speed variable rather than fixed. The processor dynamically adjusts the print speed in back printing mode based on the amount of liquid applied in front printing mode. When liquid amount is high, print speed is reduced to allow proper drying; when liquid amount is low, print speed can be increased. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining high productivity and ensuring image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If print speed is increased in back printing mode, then loss of time is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to ink layer interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying timeVSAvoidink layer interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control where the processor receives information about the liquid amount applied during front printing mode and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate print speed for back printing mode. This closed-loop control ensures that the print speed is optimally adjusted based on actual printing conditions, preventing ink layer interference while minimizing drying time losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the print speed parameter based on the liquid amount parameter. By establishing a relationship between these two parameters, the system automatically adjusts print speed to appropriate levels that prevent harmful ink layer interference effects while maintaining efficient drying times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10449780B2Printer and printing method which varies area printable in one-pass printing

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A printer includes a liquid discharge head and a processor. The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles include a line of first nozzles to discharge first liquid and a line of second nozzles to discharge second liquid. The processor is configured to change a print speed in a print mode in which a preceding image is formed with at least the first liquid and a subsequent image to be superimposed on the preceding image is formed with the second liquid, in accordance with an amount of liquid applied to a recording medium to form the preceding image.