Image forming apparatus and defective nozzle detection method
US8066348B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J19/207
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a water-repellent transfer belt, a pattern formation controller, a read unit, and a detection unit. The recording head has a plurality of nozzles aligned in a given direction, and ejects droplets of a liquid therefrom. The pattern formation controller directs each of the plurality of nozzles to eject the liquid to form a detection pattern on the transfer belt. The detection pattern has multiple droplets ejected from each of the plurality of nozzles sequentially arranged and spaced apart from each other both in the given direction and in a direction orthogonal to the given direction. The read unit includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and reads the detection pattern to output a read result. The detection unit detects a defective nozzle according to the read result.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.