Variable Print Permission Temperature for Inkjet Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printing apparatuses experience decreased throughput due to the waiting period required for temperature adjustment of the print head before starting a print operation, which can be lengthy and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that adjusts the print permission temperature based on the speed of relative scanning, allowing the print operation to commence once the print head reaches a temperature suitable for the specific print mode, thereby reducing the waiting period and improving throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the print head is heated to a high predetermined temperature before printing, then ink discharge stability is improved, but the waiting time for temperature adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the print permission temperature variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the print permission temperature based on the detected scan speed: when scan speed is high, a lower print permission temperature is used; when scan speed is low, a higher print permission temperature is used. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing faster printing at lower temperatures while maintaining stability through higher temperatures when time permits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of print permission temperature based on scan speed conditions. The control unit determines the print permission temperature according to the scan speed detected by the scanning speed detection unit, thereby adapting the temperature parameter to match the printing requirements and reduce unnecessary waiting time.
2Productivity
If a single fixed print permission temperature is used for all print modes, then temperature control simplicity is maintained, but throughput is reduced due to unnecessary waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static fixed temperature to a dynamic variable temperature that adapts to different print modes. The control unit adjusts the print permission temperature based on scan speed detection, enabling faster printing in high-speed modes while maintaining reliability in low-speed modes, thereby improving overall throughput without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the print permission temperature according to the detected scan speed. This allows the system to optimize temperature settings for different printing conditions, reducing unnecessary waiting time in high-speed modes while maintaining stability in low-speed modes.
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 ink discharge while reducing the waiting time for temperature adjustment, thereby increasing the overall throughput of the printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a print element that discharges ink using thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
arranging in the print head a sub heater for heat retention that is different from the print element
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a printing unit configured to print an image on a print medium, an acquiring unit configured to acquire temperature information of the printing unit, and a control unit configured to control the printing unit so as to start relative scanning in a case where a temperature that is indicated by the temperature information has reached a print permission temperature. The print permission temperature in a first print mode whose speed at a time of a constant speed in relative scanning is a first speed is a first temperature. The print permission temperature in a second print mode whose speed at the time of the constant speed is a second speed that is faster than the first speed is a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.