Printhead Timing Compensation for Tilted Print Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing methods on tilted print media, such as ceramic tiles, result in incomplete or deformed patterns due to manual adjustments, leading to increased production costs and rejected products, as the printhead cannot accurately align with the tilted surface.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses a printhead with multiple inkjet holes to form multi-column linear print points by detecting the tilted state and adjusting ink-jetting timing to compensate for the tilt, ensuring complete and non-deformed patterns without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is used to align the printhead with tilted print medium, then printing accuracy can be improved, but production time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated detection and control system. Sensors detect the tilted state of the print medium, and the control system automatically adjusts the ink-jetting timing and printhead positioning, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining printing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the print medium's tilted state before printing begins. By detecting the tilt angle and direction in advance, the control system can pre-calculate the necessary adjustments to ink-jetting timing and printhead position, ensuring accurate printing without requiring mid-process manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment is used to correct tilted print medium, then pattern completeness can be improved, but labor intensity increases and operational complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern completenessVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the printing apparatus automatically detects and compensates for tilted print medium without human intervention. The control system processes sensor data and adjusts printing parameters autonomously, making the operation simple and eliminating the need for skilled manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the print medium's position and tilted state, and the control system uses this feedback to dynamically adjust ink-jetting timing and printhead positioning. This closed-loop control ensures complete patterns while simplifying operation through automatic correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If traditional ink-jetting is used on tilted surfaces, then device simplicity is maintained, but pattern deformation occurs and manufacturing precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidpattern deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities to the ink-jetting system. The printhead positioning and ink-jetting timing are made variable and adaptive based on real-time detection of the print medium's tilted state. This allows the system to maintain simplicity in basic structure while achieving precision through dynamic parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system compensates for tilted surface printing by changing key printing parameters including ink-jetting timing, printhead positioning, and jetting speed. These parameter adjustments are calculated based on detected tilt angles and directions, allowing accurate pattern reproduction on tilted surfaces without complicating the fundamental device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12589600B2Method and system for printing on tilted print medium using printhead

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 GUANGZHOU KINGTAU MACHINERY & ELECTRONICS EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

A method for printing on a tilted print medium using a first printing strategy or a second printing strategy. The first printing strategy includes: acquiring a tilted direction and a tilted angle of the titled print medium; acquiring a print start point; starting print from the start point and continuously translating the printhead toward the tilted opposite side in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the tilted print medium, and during the translation, controlling the inkjet hole to delay ink-jetting in the direction parallel to the moving direction of the tilted print medium. The second printing strategy includes: determining a tilted angle of the print medium and a position of a print standard point after tilted, adjusting the print content to be mirror symmetrical with the print medium, and controlling the printhead to print according to the print content when the print standard point reaches the printhead.