Transparent Liquid Jetting Amount Determination via Sheet Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the amount of transparent liquid to be jetted in inkjet printing face challenges in accurately correcting deviations due to nozzle variations and jetting failures, especially for colorless and transparent liquids, as traditional correction methods rely on measurable optical density, which is difficult to apply.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize a test pattern with adjacent ink and transparent liquid application regions to measure medium deformation, allowing for the determination and adjustment of the transparent liquid amount using information processing means, enabling precise correction of the liquid jetting amount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional correction methods relying on optical density measurement are used, then correction can be performed for colored inks, but the method cannot be applied to transparent liquids due to their colorless nature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability of correction methodVSAvoidmeasurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a color indicator that changes color in response to the transparent liquid. This allows the invisible transparent liquid to be detected indirectly through the color change of the indicator, enabling measurement and correction to be performed on transparent liquids just like colored inks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The color indicator acts as an intermediary substance between the transparent liquid and the measurement system. The indicator interacts with the transparent liquid and produces a measurable signal (color change), allowing the transparent liquid's properties to be inferred through the indicator's response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the amount of transparent liquid is not corrected, then the liquid jetting process is simple, but deviations due to nozzle variations and jetting failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidliquid jetting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the color indicator provides real-time information about the transparent liquid amount. This feedback is used to adjust the liquid jetting process, allowing the system to automatically compensate for nozzle variations and achieve precise liquid application without complex manual correction procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If transparent liquid is applied to unprinted regions to suppress sheet deformation, then sheet deformation is reduced, but the appearance of the unprinted region changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet deformation controlVSAvoidappearance of unprinted region

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the color indicator selectively to specific test regions rather than uniformly across the entire sheet. This allows measurement of transparent liquid effects in controlled locations while maintaining the original appearance of the unprinted regions that will actually be processed, achieving deformation control without compromising overall appearance.

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 approach allows for stable and accurate adjustment of the transparent liquid amount, reducing sheet deformation and improving print quality by automating the correction process and increasing signal-to-noise ratio in deformation measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid jet unit which jets liquid droplets, is used for jetting the transparent liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid jetting:

Implementation Method 2

information representing the amount of deformation of the test pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation measurement: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10065429B2Device and method of determining amount of transparent liquid to be jetted, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming method

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

Test patterns are printed by ink jet means for jetting ink containing a color material and transparent liquid jet means for jetting transparent liquid. In the test patterns, ink and transparent liquid are applied to different regions on the same medium and ink application regions and transparent liquid application regions are arranged adjacent to each other. A device for determining the amount of transparent liquid to be jetted includes information acquisition means for acquiring information representing the amount of medium deformation of a medium on which the test patterns are printed, and information processing means for determining the amount of transparent liquid to be jetted by the transparent liquid jet means for jetting the transparent liquid, from the information representing the amount of medium deformation acquired by the information acquisition means.