Recording Head Ink Overlap Against Thick-Cloth Density Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording apparatuses face challenges in suppressing low image density when using ink for image forming and permeation ink on thick cloth, particularly with dark colors, as the ink disperses throughout the cloth's thickness, leading to reduced image density and no effective configuration to address this issue.

Innovation Solution

The recording apparatus includes a recording head with separate nozzle columns for image-forming ink and permeation ink, where the control unit adjusts the ejection amount and pattern to ensure the image-forming ink is ejected in increased quantities, overlapping with permeation ink to enhance penetration and density, thereby preventing low image density.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permeation ink is used to promote ink penetration into thick cloth, then ink permeation is improved, but image density becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink permeationVSAvoidimage density
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first ejecting permeation ink onto the recording medium before ejecting the ink for image forming. This preliminary permeation ink application creates a pathway that facilitates subsequent ink penetration without compromising image density, as the permeation ink is applied in advance to prepare the medium for better ink absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial action by selectively applying permeation ink only to specific regions where enhanced penetration is needed, rather than uniformly across the entire recording medium. This allows the ink for image forming to achieve sufficient penetration in targeted areas while maintaining appropriate image density, avoiding excessive permeation that would cause density loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If ink for image forming and permeation ink are ejected simultaneously, then permeation is promoted at light color portions, but low density occurs at dark color portions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepermeation at light portionsVSAvoidimage density at dark portions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first ejecting permeation ink onto the recording medium before ejecting the ink for image forming. This preliminary permeation ink application creates a pathway that facilitates subsequent ink penetration without compromising image density, as the permeation ink is applied in advance to prepare the medium for better ink absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs local quality by adjusting the ejection strategy based on the intended image density requirements. For dark color portions where high density is critical, the system controls the ejection amount and timing to prevent excessive permeation that would cause density loss, while still achieving sufficient penetration for light color portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 configuration effectively suppresses low image density by increasing the ejection amount of image-forming ink when used with permeation ink, ensuring better ink penetration and maintaining desired image density, even on thick cloth.

Implementation Method 1

a recording head (ejecting unit) that can eject first ink (I1) for image forming and second ink (I2) for permeation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid ejection: Jet

Implementation Method 2

second ink (I2) for permeation, wherein at least a part of a landing position of the first ink (I1) and a landing position of the second ink (I2) overlap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

promoting permeation of ink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3335885B1Recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3335885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3335885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3335885B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A recording apparatus includes an ejecting unit which can eject first ink for image forming and colorless second ink onto a recording medium; and a control unit which can control ejecting operations of the first ink and the second ink in the ejecting unit, in which the control unit performs a plurality of ejecting operations of the first ink with respect to one ejecting operation of the second ink, so that at least a part of a landing position of the second ink and a landing position of the first ink overlap on the recording medium.