Printing Apparatus Nozzle Array Tilt Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face challenges in correcting the shift of printing positions when the arrangement direction of nozzle arrays is tilted with respect to the sub scanning direction, which can degrade image quality.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a driving unit, memory, and controlling unit that processes printing data to adjust for nozzle array tilt by shifting the data corresponding to deviated dots, ensuring accurate placement of ink droplets on the printing medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing is performed using multiple nozzle arrays to increase printing speed or improve image quality, then productivity or image quality is improved, but printing position accuracy deteriorates due to nozzle array tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing printing position correction in advance through data processing. Before actual printing occurs, the system calculates the tilt amounts of multiple nozzle arrays and pre-adjusts the printing data to compensate for expected position deviations. This ensures that even though multiple nozzle arrays are used to increase printing speed, the printing position accuracy is maintained because the correction has already been applied to the data before printing begins.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle arrays are tilted relative to the sub scanning direction to accommodate printing medium width, then adaptability is improved, but printing position accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing individual tilt correction for each nozzle array. Since different nozzle arrays may have different tilt amounts relative to the sub scanning direction, the system calculates and corrects the printing position for each array separately based on its specific tilt characteristics. This allows the system to accommodate different printing medium widths with tilted nozzle arrays while maintaining printing position accuracy for each individual array.
3Manufacturing precision
If printing data is corrected for single nozzle array tilt, then printing position accuracy is improved, but the solution is incomplete for multi-nozzle array systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a printing position correction system that works for any number of nozzle arrays. The correction unit is designed to handle multiple nozzle arrays simultaneously, calculating tilt amounts and performing corrections for each array in a unified manner. This makes the system universally applicable whether using one or multiple nozzle arrays, eliminating the need for separate correction mechanisms for different array configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus, comprising a driving unit for driving a printhead including a plurality of nozzles each of which prints a dot, a conveying unit for conveying a printing medium, a memory and a unit, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged to form nozzle arrays adjacent to each other, the unit performs a first operation for developing printing data column by column on the memory, a second operation for assigning the printing data to each nozzle array, and a third operation for controlling the driving unit based on the assigned printing data, and, after the first operation and before the second operation, the unit specifies a portion of the printing data corresponding to a dot deviated from a correct printing region due to a tilt of the nozzle arrays and rearranges the portion.