Inkjet Printer Skew Detection Without Registration Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face print quality degradation due to skew issues, as they require printing registration marks to detect skew, which are unnecessary and can lead to color shifts during multi-color inkjet printing.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a skew detection mechanism using a sensor to detect relative inclination between the transport mechanism and the recording head, allowing for real-time correction without the need for printed registration marks, utilizing an inclination detection unit and correction mechanism to adjust the transport mechanism or recording head position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If registration marks are printed to detect skew, then skew detection is enabled, but print quality degrades due to unnecessary marks and potential color shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical/mechanical method of printing and detecting registration marks with an electrical sensor system. The sensor unit directly detects the position of the recording medium without requiring printed marks, eliminating the need for mark printing while enabling precise skew detection. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful registration marks while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sensor unit as an intermediary between the recording medium and the control system. This sensor unit detects positional information and transmits it to the calculation unit, which then determines skew and controls the recording head. This intermediary approach enables indirect detection without direct mark printing, resolving the contradiction between detection needs and print quality.
2Measurement precision
If registration marks are printed on both sides of the recording medium, then skew can be detected, but the marks remain until the both sides are cut off, degrading print quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from the printing process itself. Instead of printing marks and then detecting them, the system uses a sensor unit to detect the recording medium's position directly, extracting the detection capability from the material (recording medium) and placing it in the detection system (sensor unit). This eliminates the creation of unnecessary marks while preserving detection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical printing and detection system with an electrical sensing system. The sensor unit electrically detects positional information without requiring any physical marks on the recording medium, thereby eliminating the loss of substance (unnecessary marks) while maintaining measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If a sensor unit is added to detect skew, then skew detection without marks is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the sensor unit multi-functional by having it serve both as a position detection device and as part of the skew detection system. The same sensor unit that detects the recording medium's position also provides the data needed for skew calculation, eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity despite the added sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the position detection function with the skew detection function into a single integrated system. The sensor unit detects position, and the calculation unit simultaneously determines skew from this position data, combining what could have been separate detection mechanisms into one unified approach, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
This solution prevents print quality degradation by accurately detecting and correcting skew without the need for additional marks, ensuring precise color alignment and improved image formation.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted from the light source is incident on the light receiving element by way of a target
Data Source
AI summary
In an image forming apparatus having a recording head including a plurality of nozzle arrays for ejecting each ink droplet per color for plural colors respectively onto a transported recording medium, a positioning mechanism of the image forming apparatus having a detection mechanism for preventing a printing quality on a recording medium from degrading by comprising a transport mechanism for transporting in order to form an image on the recording medium, and a carriage placed on an opposite positions of the transport mechanism and a belt platen; placing a sensor for detecting a relative inclination between the transport direction and the recording head; detecting and calculating an inclination of the transport direction vis-à-vis the recording head, and controlling the relative inclination based on the calculation result.