Printing Apparatus Head Drive Voltage Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing apparatuses face challenges in adjusting drive voltages for inkjet heads due to uniformly set upper and lower limit voltages, leading to inconsistent printing densities across different conditions, potentially resulting in impermissible voltages and failure to create test charts.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting printing modes to determine adjustable ranges of drive voltages for nozzle groups based on a table of relationships, allowing for the determination of adjusted drive voltages within suitable ranges for each mode, ensuring consistent printing densities across varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If uniformly set upper and lower limit voltages are used for all printing conditions, then the voltage adjustment process is simple, but printing density consistency deteriorates across different printing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage adjustment processVSAvoidprinting density consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the voltage adjustable range adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines the upper and lower limit voltages based on the selected printing mode, allowing the voltage range to change according to different printing conditions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simplicity through automated adaptation while achieving precision through condition-specific voltage optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage parameters (upper and lower limit voltages) according to different printing modes. Instead of using uniform voltage limits across all conditions, the system selects appropriate voltage ranges based on the specific printing mode, thereby maintaining printing density consistency while keeping the adjustment process simple through automated parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If printing mode-specific adjustable voltage ranges are implemented, then printing density consistency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting density consistencyVSAvoidvoltage adjustment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple printing modes with their corresponding optimal voltage ranges before actual printing operations. The system stores these pre-configured modes and automatically selects the appropriate voltage range based on the current printing mode, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by automatically determining and adjusting the voltage range based on the selected printing mode without requiring manual intervention. The printing apparatus autonomously selects the appropriate voltage parameters from pre-configured modes, simplifying the operation while maintaining printing density consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If voltage range is expanded to cover all printing conditions, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to impermissible voltages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage range coverageVSAvoidprinting quality assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the voltage adjustment into distinct printing modes, each with its own optimized voltage range. Instead of using a single broad voltage range that may include impermissible values, the system segments the operating conditions and assigns appropriate voltage limits to each segment, thereby maintaining adaptability while ensuring reliability within each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enables the printing apparatus to adjust head drive voltages appropriately for different printing conditions, ensuring reliable and consistent printing densities by determining drive voltages within the adjustable range suited for each printing mode, thereby preventing issues with ink droplet dispensing and maintaining printing quality.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of heads 14a to 14d for executing printing by dispensing ink droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic fluid acceleration: Electrostatic Fluid Accelerator

Data Source

PatentUS11999163B2Adjusting method for printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

To provide an adjusting method for a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus, capable of appropriately adjusting drive voltages of heads even when printing conditions are changed, this invention can appropriately acquire adjusted voltages of the heads even when printing conditions are changed. That is, according to this invention, a construction is configured to change an adjustable range of head drive voltages with a printing mode. This invention acquires the adjustable range corresponding to the printing mode set by referring to a table T1. Consequently, the adjusted voltages of the heads can be determined within the adjustable range suited to each printing mode.