Amplifier Circuit Segmentation for Nozzle Detection Noise Immunity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet ejection devices, such as ink-jet printers, face challenges in accurately detecting anomalous nozzles due to increased layout area and susceptibility to noise in amplifier circuits manufactured using high voltage processes, which affect the detection of residual vibration-induced voltages.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit device is introduced, featuring a separate amplifier circuit for amplifying induced voltage from residual vibration, a voltage boosting circuit for level-shifting, and a control circuit that manages these components, allowing for digital signal processing and reduced noise immunity, thus improving anomalous nozzle detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the amplifier circuit is manufactured using high voltage process to drive the actuator, then the actuator can be properly driven with high voltage, but the layout area of the amplifier circuit substantially increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit into two separate ICs: a head driver IC for high voltage actuator driving and a separate amplifier IC for residual vibration signal amplification. This segmentation allows each IC to be optimized for its specific function, with the amplifier IC using standard low-voltage processes to reduce layout area while the head driver IC handles high voltage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The amplifier circuit is extracted from the head driver IC and placed in a separate IC component. This extraction removes the amplifier from the high voltage process constraint, allowing it to be manufactured using standard low voltage processes that result in smaller layout areas, while still being functionally integrated into the overall system.
2Power
If the amplifier circuit is manufactured using high voltage process, then the actuator can be driven with high voltage, but the noise immunity of the amplifier circuit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the amplifier circuit into its own dedicated IC, the design isolates the sensitive residual vibration signal amplification function from the high voltage actuator driving circuitry. This segmentation creates distinct functional zones with different voltage requirements, allowing the amplifier to operate with high noise immunity using standard low-voltage processes while the head driver IC handles high voltage actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Extracting the amplifier circuit from the high voltage head driver IC removes it from the noisy high voltage environment. The amplifier can now be manufactured using standard low voltage processes that provide better noise immunity and signal integrity for detecting small residual vibration signals, while the high voltage actuator driving remains isolated in the head driver IC.
3Area of stationary object
If the amplifier circuit layout area is reduced by using standard process, then the layout area decreases, but the ability to handle high voltage driving requirements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two independent ICs with distinct functional responsibilities. The amplifier IC uses standard low-voltage processes to achieve compact layout area for signal amplification, while the head driver IC is designed specifically for high voltage actuator driving. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific requirements without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
By taking out the amplifier circuit from the high voltage head driver IC, the amplifier can be manufactured using standard low voltage processes that enable smaller layout areas. The high voltage driving capability remains intact in the separate head driver IC, which is specifically designed to handle the actuator's high voltage requirements without needing to accommodate the amplifier's layout constraints.
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
The solution reduces the layout area required for amplifier circuits and enhances noise immunity by converting analog signals to digital, enabling more accurate detection of anomalous nozzles without the need for high voltage processes.
Implementation Method 1
an induced voltage of the actuator generated due to residual vibration of the vibrating plate after the actuator having been driven
Implementation Method 2
a voltage is generated in the actuator due to this residual vibration
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit device includes a terminal, a switch circuit, an amplifier circuit, a voltage boosting circuit, and a control circuit. The terminal is connected to a driving signal line of a driving circuit that drives an actuator of a liquid droplet ejection head. One end of the switch circuit is connected to the terminal. The amplifier circuit receives an output signal from the other end of the switch circuit, and amplifies an induced voltage of the actuator after the actuator having been driven. The voltage boosting circuit generates a boosted voltage for level-shifting a switching signal of the switch circuit based on the step-up clock signal.