Two-Sided Printing Control via Localized Ink Distribution Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printing apparatuses for two-sided printing often set unnecessary long waiting times due to ink application patterns, leading to reduced throughput and increased jamming or head rubbing, especially when ink is predominantly applied at the edges rather than the center of the sheet.
Innovation Solution
A printing control method that acquires ink application information for multiple areas of the sheet and determines a waiting time for printing on the second surface based on a combination of these data points, weighting edge areas more heavily to minimize jamming and optimize drying time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the waiting time is set based on the longest standby period among multiple areas, then the occurrence of sheet cockling and jamming is suppressed, but the printing throughput is reduced due to unnecessary long waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sheet into multiple areas (center area and edge areas) and evaluates ink application amounts separately for each area. The waiting time is determined based on the combination of ink application amounts across different areas, rather than uniformly applying the longest waiting time to the entire sheet. This localized evaluation approach ensures that waiting time is extended only when necessary for specific areas with high ink application, thereby suppressing jamming while avoiding unnecessary delays and improving overall printing throughput.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the waiting time is extended to ensure sufficient drying, then the sheet cockling is suppressed, but the total throughput of two-sided printing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the waiting time parameter based on the actual ink application amount detected in different areas of the sheet. By changing the waiting time parameter according to the ink application pattern (high at center vs. high at edges), the system optimizes the balance between sheet stability (preventing cockling) and printing throughput, avoiding fixed or overly conservative waiting time settings.
3Reliability
If the waiting time is set based on ink application amount at edges, then the jamming at edges is suppressed, but unnecessary waiting time occurs when center area has high ink application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent evaluates ink application amounts separately for the center area and edge areas, and determines waiting time based on the combination of both. This localized evaluation ensures that waiting time is extended only when edge areas have high ink application that would cause jamming, while avoiding unnecessary delays when only the center area has high ink application that does not pose a jamming risk.
Data Source
AI summary
For each of a plurality of areas in at least one of a sheet width direction and a sheet conveying direction included in a sheet trailing edge area during printing on a first surface, information regarding an ink application amount to the area is acquired. According to a combination of acquired pieces of information regarding the ink application amounts to the plurality of areas, waiting time until a printing start on a second surface from an end of printing in the sheet trailing edge area is determined.