Printing Apparatus Nozzle Segmentation for Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses lack optimal control over the use of reaction liquids in conjunction with ink, leading to inefficiencies in printing on various media, as the volume and timing of reaction liquid usage are not adequately considered, resulting in suboptimal printing quality and increased media limitations.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a control system that manages the discharge of two liquids, where a first liquid is printed and a second liquid acts on the first, featuring a nozzle configuration with an upstream and overlapping unit, and a control section that determines the liquid volumes based on the type of medium and printing mode to optimize discharge and prevent excessive permeation or drying issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the second liquid is discharged in advance from the upstream unit, then the liquid volume requirement can be met, but the second liquid excessively permeates into the medium in advance and cannot act on the first liquid subsequently discharged
Solution Approach 1:
The second nozzle group is divided into two independent units: the upstream unit and the overlapping unit. This segmentation allows independent control of liquid discharge timing and location, enabling the system to discharge the second liquid simultaneously with the first liquid from the overlapping unit while discharging the remaining required volume in advance from the upstream unit, thus resolving the contradiction between meeting liquid volume requirements and preventing excessive permeation
Solution Approach 2:
The upstream unit discharges the second liquid in advance to meet the required liquid volume, while the overlapping unit discharges the second liquid simultaneously with the first liquid to ensure proper interaction. This preliminary action from the upstream unit is controlled to not exceed the threshold value, preventing excessive permeation while still fulfilling the total liquid volume requirement
2Reliability
If the second liquid is discharged simultaneously with the first liquid, then the second liquid can act on the first liquid, but the required liquid volume cannot be met when it exceeds the threshold value
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the second nozzle group into upstream and overlapping units, the system can simultaneously discharge the second liquid from the overlapping unit with the first liquid to ensure proper interaction, while the upstream unit discharges the additional volume needed to meet the total required liquid volume threshold
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous discharge of the second liquid through both units working together: the overlapping unit provides simultaneous discharge for proper liquid interaction, while the upstream unit continues discharge in advance to ensure the total volume requirement is met throughout the printing process
3Quantity of substance
If the second liquid is discharged in large volume, then the liquid volume requirement is met, but insufficient drying occurs on the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different discharge strategies to different parts of the second nozzle group: the overlapping unit discharges the second liquid simultaneously with the first liquid at controlled volumes to prevent excessive permeation and ensure proper drying, while the upstream unit discharges the remaining required volume in advance, creating locally optimized discharge patterns that balance volume requirements with drying performance
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 solution allows for optimized printing on various media by ensuring the second liquid is discharged only when necessary, preventing excessive permeation and ensuring sufficient drying, thereby improving image quality and expanding the range of applicable media.
Implementation Method 1
the second liquid and the first liquid can be discharged simultaneously, and the second liquid and the first liquid can be caused to permeate into the medium simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus configured to print an image on a medium includes a head having a first nozzle group configured to discharge a first liquid onto a medium, and a second nozzle group configured to discharge a second liquid acting on the first liquid, a main scanning unit configured to move the head in a main scanning direction, a sub scanning unit configured to move the medium in a sub scanning direction, and a control section configured to control discharging of the first liquid and discharging of the second liquid, and in the printing apparatus, the second nozzle group includes an upstream unit disposed on an upstream side of the first nozzle group in the sub scanning direction, and an overlapping unit located on a downstream side of the upstream unit in the sub scanning direction and disposed to overlap with at least a portion of the first nozzle group as viewed in the main scanning direction, the control section determines, based on liquid volume of the first liquid to be discharged, liquid volume of the second liquid to be discharged, and in a case where the liquid volume determined of the second liquid is equal to or less than a threshold value, the control section makes, of the overlapping unit and the upstream unit, at least the overlapping unit discharge the second liquid.