Printing Head Block Division for Bidirectional Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing apparatuses face issues with image quality due to printing head inclination and displacement during bidirectional multi-pass printing, leading to 'band unevenness' and poor linearity, which conventional inclination correction methods fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method that dynamically adjust the number of block divisions and timing shifts for printing elements based on inclination information and printing mode to ensure each printing region corresponds to more than one block and each block corresponds to odd printing regions, maintaining a predetermined relationship between multi-passes and block divisions to prevent 'band unevenness'.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inclination correction methods are used, then printing position error is reduced, but band unevenness occurs and linearity deteriorates in bidirectional multi-pass printing
Solution Approach 1:
The printing head is divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, third block, etc.) along the scanning direction. Each block is controlled independently with different timing shifts to correct inclination. This segmentation allows precise control of each region's printing timing to compensate for head inclination while maintaining overall linearity.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing shift between blocks is dynamically adjusted based on the detected inclination amount. The control unit calculates appropriate timing shifts for each block division and applies them during bidirectional multi-pass printing. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the correction adapts to different printing conditions and maintains optimal linearity throughout the printing process.
2Shape
If printing head inclination is corrected by adjusting timing, then linearity improves, but displacement during bidirectional scanning causes unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The printing head is divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, third block, etc.) along the scanning direction. Each block is controlled independently with different timing shifts to correct inclination. This segmentation allows precise control of each region's printing timing to compensate for head inclination while maintaining overall linearity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit detects the inclination amount of the printing head and uses this feedback information to calculate appropriate timing shifts for each block. During bidirectional multi-pass printing, the system continuously monitors and adjusts timing based on the detected inclination, ensuring consistent displacement correction and preventing unevenness.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple blocks are used for inclination correction, then printing position accuracy improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing head is divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, third block, etc.) along the scanning direction. Each block is controlled independently with different timing shifts to correct inclination. This segmentation allows precise control of each region's printing timing to compensate for head inclination while maintaining overall linearity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit adjusts the timing parameter for each block based on the detected inclination amount. By changing the timing parameter dynamically for each block division, the system achieves precise printing position accuracy without requiring complex mechanical adjustments. This parameter-based control simplifies the overall system while maintaining high precision.
Data Source
AI summary
When bidirectional multi-pass printing is carried out by use of a printing head having an inclination, even if a bidirectional printing is somewhat displaced, an inclination of a printing position is corrected in a state where “band unevenness” is suppressed as much as possible. In order to realize the correction described above, a division number B for dividing a plurality of printing elements into a plurality of blocks, and a timing at which each of the blocks is driven, are set on the bases of inclination information on the printing head and the number of multi-passes. Thus, even if the bidirectional printing is displaced, printing widths are equally increased or reduced in the respective regions. Consequently, it is made possible to avoid the “band unevenness” which is caused by differences in the printing width among the regions.