Inkjet Recording Apparatus High-Resolution Functional Ink Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving optimal image quality due to deviated landing between colored ink and functional ink, such as reaction liquid, which affects the application and coverage on recording media.
Innovation Solution
The recording apparatus employs a configuration with separate discharge port groups for colored ink and functional ink, where the functional ink application data is generated to ensure consecutive application over a specific number of pixels, adjusting the application area to match or exceed the colored ink coverage, thereby improving image quality without increasing the functional ink application amount unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the expansion process is applied to quantized colored ink data at the same resolution, then the functional ink is applied to surrounding pixels, but the deviated landing occurs between colored ink and functional ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension by generating reaction liquid application data at a higher resolution (e.g., 1200 dpi) than the colored ink data resolution (e.g., 600 dpi). This dimensional shift allows precise control of functional ink application while maintaining alignment with colored ink patterns, resolving the deviation issue without sacrificing image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the functional ink data generation process. By operating at a different resolution level (higher than the colored ink resolution), the system achieves precise alignment and controls the application of functional ink to surrounding pixels without causing deviation, thus improving both manufacturing precision and measurement precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the functional ink is applied to cover colored ink, then the image quality is improved, but the excessive functional ink usage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively generating reaction liquid application data only for specific pixels surrounding the colored ink application areas. Instead of uniformly applying functional ink across the entire recording medium, the system locally generates and applies functional ink only where needed adjacent to colored ink pixels, thereby improving image quality while avoiding excessive functional ink usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying functional ink only to the extent necessary (surrounding pixels of colored ink) rather than excessive application. The generation unit creates reaction liquid application data that precisely covers only the required surrounding areas, achieving the necessary functional ink coverage without waste, thus balancing image quality improvement with controlled material consumption.
3Productivity
If the resolution of colored ink data is 600 dpi, then the expansion process is performed at 600 dpi, but the functional ink application coverage is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by operating in a higher resolution dimension for functional ink data generation (e.g., 1200 dpi) while maintaining the lower resolution (600 dpi) for colored ink data processing. This dimensional approach allows the system to maintain high productivity through efficient 600 dpi processing while achieving enhanced functional ink coverage through the higher resolution data generation and application.
Data Source
AI summary
A bold process is performed on the number of consecutive pixels to which colored ink is applied and a number of pixels (the number is an odd number of 1 or more). In this way, the application locations of the functional ink can be set with a resolution higher than that of the colored ink.