Inkjet Printhead Nozzle Addressing for Variable Resolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for staggered printheads limit the ability to achieve multiple print resolutions without significant modifications, particularly requiring small nozzle groups and restricted resolution options.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the addressing order of nozzles to produce staggered pattern sections smaller than a whole print column, allowing for higher resolutions by reducing translation speed while maintaining nozzle addressing frequency, and enabling any multiple of the standard resolution with a single pass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the printhead uses staggered nozzles with constant pitch to maintain standard resolution, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to achieve higher resolutions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle addressing order variable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically adjusts the addressing sequence based on the desired resolution, allowing the same physical printhead to adapt to different resolution requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling resolution flexibility without requiring multiple physical printhead configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle addressing order to achieve different resolutions. By modifying how nozzles are sequentially addressed (skipping patterns) rather than changing the physical nozzle structure, the system achieves multiple resolutions from a single printhead design, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and resolution versatility.
2Productivity
If the printhead translates at high speed to maintain productivity, then printing efficiency is improved, but higher resolutions cannot be achieved without increasing translation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action through cyclic nozzle addressing patterns. By implementing systematic skipping sequences (e.g., addressing every second, third, or fourth nozzle in a cycle) and repeating these patterns, the system achieves higher resolutions while maintaining consistent periodic firing intervals. This allows resolution enhancement without requiring changes to translation speed or firing frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the addressing pattern based on resolution requirements. The control system modifies the skipping sequence and addressing timing to match the desired resolution level, enabling the printhead to achieve higher precision without sacrificing productivity through speed increases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle group size is reduced to enable multiple resolutions, then resolution versatility is improved, but the printhead structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the nozzle addressing system universal by designing a single addressing controller that can handle multiple resolution modes. The same controller and nozzle group configuration serve multiple functions by implementing different skipping patterns, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nozzle groups for different resolutions and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reducing nozzle group size to achieve versatility, the patent inverts the approach by keeping a larger nozzle group and using selective addressing (skipping) to achieve resolution flexibility. This reverse approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the desired versatility through control logic rather than structural reduction.
4Manufacturing precision
If the translation speed is reduced to achieve higher resolutions, then print quality is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the translation speed and nozzle firing frequency constant. The higher resolution is achieved not by slowing down the continuous printing process, but by modifying the addressing pattern to skip nozzles systematically. This ensures uninterrupted printing operation and maintains productivity while achieving improved resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the addressing parameter (nozzle selection sequence) rather than the motion parameter (translation speed). By modifying how nozzles are addressed and fired in sequence while maintaining constant translation speed, the system achieves higher resolution without sacrificing printing productivity.
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
Enables printing at various resolutions, including higher multiples of the standard resolution, without the need for extensive nozzle group modifications, and can be applied to any existing printhead, enhancing print quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the printhead ejects the ink drops through the nozzles by rapidly heating a small volume of ink located in vaporization chambers with small electric heaters, such as thin film resistors. Heating the ink causes the ink to vaporize and be ejected from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of addressing the nozzles of a printhead; a group of nozzles of a print column of the printhead are staggered and are arranged according to a spatial order, e.g. N01 N02 N03 N04 N05 N06 N07 N08 N09 N10 N11 N12, with respect to the transversal translation direction of the printhead; the nozzle of the group are divided in a number, e.g. 2 or 3 or 4 or 5, of sequential subgroups corresponding to different addressing spaces; an addressing scheme is obtained by cyclically and progressively selecting addresses from these addressing spaces; in this way, it is possible to print with a single pass at different resolutions, higher than the standard resolution of the printhead, by reducing the transversal translation speed of the printhead but maintaining the same addressing timing; the method according to the present invention leaves the possibility of printing at standard resolution and at lower resolutions.