Printing Apparatus Deviation Calculation Using Non-Overlapping Charts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses face issues with accurately calculating deviation amounts when using ultraviolet ray curing ink droplets, as the ink droplets between narrow intervals of the reference chart are drawn together by surface tension, leading to inaccurate printing of intervals between line segments in the testing chart.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus with a print head comprising multiple modules arranged in the width direction, where a reference chart and a comparison chart are printed non-overlapping in the width direction, using a scanner and image processor to create a composite testing chart by superimposing extracted reference and comparison charts, allowing for accurate calculation of deviation amounts based on density peak movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a reference chart and comparison chart are printed with narrow intervals to enable accurate deviation calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but ultraviolet ray curing ink droplets are drawn together by surface tension causing inaccurate printing of intervals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeviation amount calculation precisionVSAvoidinterval printing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The testing chart is segmented into a reference chart and a comparison chart that are spatially separated in the width direction. This segmentation prevents the surface tension effect from drawing ink droplets together while still enabling deviation amount calculation through subsequent image processing that extracts and compares the two separate charts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement (overlapping charts in the transport direction) to a two-dimensional arrangement (separate charts in the width direction). By utilizing the width direction dimension, the patent achieves both accurate interval printing and enables deviation calculation through image processing that superimposes the separated charts for comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If print head modules are arranged with overlapping end regions to share common positions, then device complexity is reduced, but ink droplet dispensing stability deteriorates due to unstable dispensation timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint head structure complexityVSAvoidink droplet dispensing stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the testing chart printing function from the overlapping print head module region and assigns it to a dedicated non-overlapping module. This separation removes the unstable dispensing timing issue from the testing chart printing process while maintaining the simplified overlapping structure for product printing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A dedicated print head module acting as an intermediary is introduced to print the testing chart in a non-overlapping region. This intermediary module provides stable ink droplet dispensing for testing purposes without affecting the product printing function of the overlapping modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 accurate calculation of deviation amounts even when using ultraviolet ray curing ink droplets, ensuring precise printing by distinguishing and processing the reference and comparison charts separately within the composite testing chart.

Implementation Method 1

a scanner for scanning the testing chart to acquire testing image data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an image processor for creating an extract reference chart by extracting the reference chart from the testing image data, creating an extract comparison chart by extracting the comparison chart from the testing image data, and creating a composite testing chart by superimposing the extract reference chart and the extract comparison chart in the width direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Implementation Method 3

a deviation amount calculator for calculating deviation amounts based on amounts of movement of density peak positions based on the extract reference chart and the extract comparison chart in the composite testing chart

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity measurement:

Data Source

PatentUS11167547B2Printing apparatus, and a deviation amount calculating method therefor

Publication Date: 2021.11.09 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

A printing apparatus for printing on a printing medium transported includes the following elements. A print head including a plurality of print head modules, a printing controller for controlling printing of a testing chart by selecting a reference print head module to provide a reference for recording positions, causing the reference print head module to print a reference chart, and causing one of the print head modules shifted relative to the reference print head module to print a comparison chart, a scanner for acquiring testing image data, an image processor for creating an extract reference chart, creating an extract comparison chart, and creating a composite testing chart by superimposing these charts, and a deviation amount calculator for calculating a deviation amount based on the composite testing chart.