Image Recording Apparatus Multi-Pass Nozzle Shift Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality while minimizing throughput reduction due to stripe-shaped density irregularities caused by conveyance errors and nozzle shifts, which are exacerbated by the need for multiple recording passes.
Innovation Solution
An image recording apparatus with a controller that alternates between two recording modes: a first mode with fewer passes moving the carriage unidirectionally and a second mode with more passes moving the carriage bidirectionally, using different nozzles in each pass to complete a line image, thereby reducing density irregularities and maintaining throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multi-pass recording is performed to suppress stripe-shaped density irregularities, then image quality is improved, but throughput is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the recording strategy by switching between unidirectional and bidirectional recording modes based on real-time detection of nozzle shift conditions. When nozzle shift is detected, the system activates multi-pass recording with alternating nozzle groups; when no shift is detected, it uses single-pass bidirectional recording, making the recording process adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (recording direction, number of passes, nozzle group selection) based on the detected nozzle shift condition. The controller modifies the recording mode parameter from single-pass bidirectional to multi-pass alternating nozzles when nozzle shift exceeds a threshold, and reverses this when the threshold is not exceeded.
2Manufacturing precision
If unidirectional recording is performed to suppress nozzle shift effects, then image quality is improved, but throughput is significantly lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the nozzles into multiple groups and alternates between different nozzle groups in successive recording passes. This segmentation allows the system to use only a subset of nozzles in each pass, reducing the impact of nozzle shift for any individual nozzle while still completing the full image through multiple passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic alternation between different nozzle groups across multiple recording passes. By systematically switching which nozzle group is active in each pass, the method creates a periodic pattern that distributes the recording load and mitigates the cumulative effect of nozzle shift.
3Productivity
If bidirectional recording is performed to maintain throughput, then productivity is improved, but stripe-shaped density irregularities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by detecting nozzle shift conditions and automatically adjusts its recording strategy without external intervention. The controller monitors the recording process, detects when nozzle shift occurs, and autonomously switches between recording modes to maintain both quality and efficiency.
4Manufacturing precision
If the number of recording passes is increased to suppress density irregularities, then image quality is improved, but throughput is significantly lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only a subset of nozzles (one group) in each recording pass instead of all nozzles. This partial utilization of nozzle capacity in each pass allows multiple passes to be performed while maintaining acceptable throughput, as each pass records only a portion of the total image lines.
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording apparatus is configured to record an image which includes multi-pass recording of completing a line image by performing a recording pass a plurality of number of times. The recording processing is configured to be executed in: a first recording mode in which the multi-pass recording of completing the line image is executed by performing the recording pass a first number of times, the recording pass being performed only when moving a carriage toward one side in a scanning direction; and a second recording mode in which the multi-pass recording of completing the line image is executed by performing the recording pass a second number of times larger than the first number of times, the recording pass being performed when moving the carriage toward the one side in the scanning direction and another side in the scanning direction.