Printing Unit with Ink-Head Columns for Wide-Media Color Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently printing on wide and long recording media, particularly in maintaining image quality and color development across the entire width of the media.
Innovation Solution
The printing unit is designed with a carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction, mounting multiple ink heads in columns arranged side by side in the sub scanning direction. Each ink head column includes same-color ink heads, with specific arrangements to optimize color development and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple ink heads are mounted on the carriage to cover wide recording medium, then the printing width is increased, but the ink heads are arranged in multiple columns which complicates the carriage structure
Solution Approach 1:
The ink heads are segmented into multiple columns arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction, with each column containing same-color ink heads. This segmentation allows the system to cover wide recording media while maintaining organized structure and simplifying control for each ink head column.
2Device complexity
If ink heads of different colors are mixed in the same column, then the carriage structure is simplified, but color development and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Each ink head column is designed with specific local quality by grouping same-color ink heads together. This ensures that ink of the same color is discharged from corresponding nozzles in sync, maintaining consistent color development and image quality across the wide recording medium.
3Device complexity
If a single ink head is used for wide recording medium, then the device structure is simple, but the ink head cannot cover the entire width efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The ink heads are arranged in multiple columns along the sub-scanning direction (width dimension) rather than extending a single ink head in the main scanning direction. This dimensional change allows efficient coverage of wide recording media while maintaining manageable device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A printing unit includes a carriage configured to reciprocate in a main scanning direction and a plurality of ink heads configured to discharge ink. The plurality of ink heads are mounted on the carriage to form a plurality of ink head columns, each of the plurality of ink head columns extends along the main scanning direction, the plurality of ink head columns are side by side in a sub scanning direction intersecting with the main scanning direction. The plurality of ink heads include a plurality of same-color ink head groups, each of the plurality of same-color ink head groups including a plurality of same-color ink heads configured to discharge ink of the same color. In at least one same-color ink head group, the plurality of same-color ink heads are disposed in a single ink head column.