Printhead Inspection Time Reduction via Block Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing techniques for inspecting printheads require a longer time as the number of application times in the inspection pattern increases, leading to inefficient optimization of voltage application time.
Innovation Solution
A control unit is used to assign print elements to blocks and time-divisionally drive them, allowing for the setting of voltage application time for each block, thereby reducing the inspection time by optimizing the printed area of the inspection pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of kinds of application times in the inspection pattern increases to optimize the voltage application time, then the optimization precision is improved, but the inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is divided into multiple blocks, and the inspection pattern is segmented to print only in specific block regions. By setting different application times for different blocks and printing inspection patterns only in selected blocks, the patent achieves comprehensive optimization precision while reducing the total inspection time compared to inspecting the entire printhead with all application times.
2Measurement precision
If the print length of the inspection pattern increases to include more application times, then the optimization precision is improved, but the inspection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection pattern is segmented into multiple regions corresponding to different blocks. Instead of printing a long continuous pattern covering all application times, the patent prints separate patterns in selected blocks, reducing the total print length while maintaining optimization precision through block-specific settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by printing inspection patterns only in selected blocks rather than all blocks. This partial inspection approach is sufficient to determine the optimal application time without requiring complete coverage of all possible application times in every block, thereby improving inspection efficiency.
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 approach significantly shortens the inspection time of the printhead by allowing for more efficient comparison of ink droplet densities and optimizing the voltage application time, reducing the printed area and inspection duration.
Implementation Method 1
an electrothermal transducer including a resistive heating element is known. This element heats ink, thereby discharging an ink droplet by the action of film boiling
Implementation Method 2
This element heats ink, thereby discharging an ink droplet by the action of film boiling
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus drives a printhead including a plurality of print elements configured to discharge ink onto a print medium by voltage application. The apparatus includes a control unit configured to assign the plurality of print elements to a plurality of blocks, and time-divisionally drive the plurality of print elements for each block. Upon inspection of the printhead, the control unit is configured to set, for each block, an application time of a voltage applied to the print element.