Printing Apparatus End Nozzle Droplet Control for Color Streak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The known printing apparatus experiences color streaks and partially uneven ink density due to the simultaneous ejection of liquid droplets from the end nozzles of adjacent head units, leading to issues in printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The printing method involves a configuration where the first and second heads are disposed side by side with shifted positions, and the nozzles are aligned at a pitch P. The method executes a low duty mode and a high duty mode to control the density of dot lines formed by liquid droplets. In the high duty mode, the amount of liquid droplets ejected from at least one of the end nozzles is reduced to prevent color streaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid droplets are ejected simultaneously from the end nozzles of adjacent head units, then printing efficiency is improved, but color streaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the ejection control between end nozzles and other nozzles. End nozzles are controlled to eject liquid droplets at a lower frequency or reduced amount compared to other nozzles, while maintaining high-duty mode operation for the majority of nozzles. This localized differentiation prevents color streaks at the boundaries without sacrificing overall printing efficiency.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the size of liquid droplets from end nozzles is reduced to prevent color streaks, then color streak occurrence is prevented, but ink density becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ejection parameters (frequency and amount) of liquid droplets from end nozzles differently from other nozzles. By reducing the ejection frequency or amount from end nozzles while maintaining standard ejection from other nozzles, the system prevents color streaks while preserving overall ink density uniformity through compensated ejection control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If end nozzles eject liquid droplets at the same rate as other nozzles, then printing consistency is improved, but color streaks occur in high duty mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of ejection rates based on nozzle position. End nozzles operate with adjusted ejection frequencies or amounts compared to other nozzles, allowing the system to adapt to the specific requirements of different nozzle positions. This dynamic adjustment maintains printing consistency while preventing color streaks in high-duty mode operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing method includes: in a case of forming a group of dot lines in a high duty mode using liquid droplets ejected from first-end nozzles, reducing an amount of liquid droplets ejected from at least one of the first-end nozzles or second-end nozzles.