Printing Apparatus Nozzle Control for Multi-Layer Ink Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-layer printing technologies face challenges in efficiently forming five or more-layered ink layers, leading to slow printing speeds and potential print quality deterioration due to nozzle division methods, which result in small print ranges and positional deviations during medium transport.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a print mechanism and control unit that utilizes multiple nozzle columns to form layered ink structures by alternating nozzle group usage during each transport process, allowing for five-layered ink layers to be printed on one side of the medium in fewer transport processes, reducing positional deviations and increasing printing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle column is divided into five nozzle groups to form five-layered ink layers, then the layer formation is enabled, but the number of nozzles for each nozzle group becomes small, resulting in small print range and extremely slow printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the printing process into multiple passes, where each pass forms a specific layer using the entire nozzle column. Instead of dividing the nozzle column into five groups, the patent uses five separate printing passes, each dedicated to forming one layer. This segmentation approach maintains full nozzle utilization while enabling five-layer formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic action by repeating the printing process five times, with each repetition forming a different layer. The print head moves back and forth between upstream and downstream sides in alternating passes, creating a periodic printing cycle that forms five layers through repeated cycles of deposition and transport.
2Productivity
If the nozzle division technology is not used, then the number of nozzles for each nozzle group is large, but only a single-layered ink layer is formed during one transport process, requiring five times repetition to form five-layered ink layer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic movement of the print head between upstream and downstream sides in alternating passes. The print head moves to the upstream side for odd passes (1st, 3rd, 5th) and to the downstream side for even passes (2nd, 4th), creating a dynamic printing pattern that enables five-layer formation without repeated medium transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension by utilizing both upstream and downstream sides of the print head in alternating passes. This dimensional approach allows the system to form five layers by alternating between upstream and downstream printing, eliminating the need for five separate transport processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the process is repeated five times to form five-layered ink layer, then the layer formation is achieved, but the positional relationship between layers deviates from prescribed original position, resulting in print quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by forming the first and third layers (color layers) before forming the second and fourth layers (specific gloss layers). This preliminary formation of alternating layers ensures that the positional relationship between layers is established correctly from the beginning, preventing cumulative deviations that would occur with sequential layer formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback control by alternating the printing side (upstream/downstream) with each pass, which allows for real-time position correction. The systematic alternation creates a feedback mechanism where each layer's position is controlled relative to the previous layer, maintaining overall positional accuracy across all five layers.
4Adaptability or versatility
If both side surfaces of the printing medium are printed, then the print matter can be viewed from either side, but ink adheres to the window when pasted, requiring removal of adhered ink
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful effect by limiting the printing process to one side surface of the printing medium. By using the alternating upstream/downstream pass system, the patent achieves viewability from both sides through the transparency of the medium without actually printing on the second side, thereby preventing ink adherence to windows or other transparent surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus comprising: a print head which relatively moves on a printing medium, and a print control unit that controls the print mechanism, a plurality of nozzle columns are formed in the print head, wherein the print control unit is configured to execute printing by using a first nozzle use setting configured such that a first group of a first nozzle column on an upper stream side is used and a second group of a second nozzle column on the downstream side is used, or a second nozzle use setting configured such that an entire third column is used, and a third nozzle use setting configured such that a third group of the second nozzle column on the upper stream side is used, and a fourth group of the first nozzle column on the downstream side is used in order of each first, second, and third nozzle use setting.