Printing Head Nozzle Position Correction via Segmented Reference Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately correcting the discharging positions of nozzles, especially in larger printing systems where nozzles are relatively far apart, leading to inaccuracies in printing.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize multiple reference printing patterns and correction patterns to accurately adjust the discharging positions of nozzle groups, ensuring precise alignment and correction, even in large systems, by using a first and second reference head to correct the positions of other heads based on printed patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single reference head is used to correct discharging positions of all other heads, then the correction process is simple, but the correction accuracy decreases for heads that are relatively far from the reference head

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoiddischarging position correction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The printing heads are divided into multiple groups, with each group having its own reference head. This segmentation allows for localized correction of discharging positions, improving accuracy for heads that are far apart while maintaining manageable correction process complexity through systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple reference heads are introduced as intermediaries to facilitate the correction process. Each reference head serves as a local reference point for correcting the discharging positions of nearby heads, thereby improving overall correction accuracy without requiring every head to reference a single distant point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the printing apparatus includes a relatively large printing portion with heads spaced far apart, then the printing coverage is increased, but the discharging position correction becomes difficult and inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting portion areaVSAvoiddischarging position correction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The large printing portion is segmented into multiple groups, each with its own reference head. This allows the large area to be managed through distributed reference points, maintaining correction accuracy across the entire printing portion despite the large spacing between heads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different reference heads are assigned to different local groups of printing heads. This local quality approach ensures that each head is corrected based on a nearby reference point, maintaining high correction accuracy throughout the large printing portion without requiring uniform correction from a single central reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3332974B1Printing method and printing apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3332974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3332974B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3332974B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A printing method includes a printing process that performs printing on a recording medium, in which, in the printing process, a first correction is performed in which discharging portions, where a first correction target head other than a first reference head among heads of a first group and a second correction target head other than the first reference head among the heads of a second group discharge inks, are corrected based on a first reference printing pattern, and a second correction is performed in which a discharging portion, where a third correction target head among heads of a third group other than a second reference head discharges the inks, is corrected based on the first reference printing pattern and a second reference printing pattern.