Capacitive Load Driving Circuit for Piezoelectric Inkjet Gradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses for inkjet printers with piezoelectric elements have complex configurations and high power consumption due to the need for multiple transfer gates to achieve high pseudo-resolution and express gradations, especially when a wide voltage range is required for drive signals.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a simple configuration that uses a selection section to choose between original drive signals, reducing the voltage range required for input/output characteristics of elements, and employs a driver that connects the piezoelectric element and charge source through multiple signal paths to achieve efficient energy use by charging and discharging in a stepwise manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transfer gates are used to achieve high pseudo-resolution and express gradations, then the printing resolution and gradation capability are improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal waveform is segmented into multiple original drive signals (first original drive signal and second original drive signal with different waveforms). The selection section selectively outputs one of these segmented signals based on gradation requirements, replacing the need for multiple transfer gates. This segmentation approach maintains high printing resolution while simplifying the switch configuration.
2Measurement precision
If multiple transfer gates are used to achieve high pseudo-resolution and express gradations, then the printing resolution and gradation capability are improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal is segmented into multiple original drive signals with different waveforms stored in signal storage sections. The selection section selectively outputs one waveform based on gradation requirements, eliminating the need for multiple transfer gates that would consume power. This segmentation strategy maintains high printing resolution while significantly reducing power consumption.
3Power
If a wide voltage range is required for drive signals, then the piezoelectric element can be properly driven, but the transfer gate configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal with wide voltage range is segmented into multiple original drive signals, each with different waveforms but manageable voltage characteristics. The selection section selectively outputs the appropriate waveform based on gradation requirements, eliminating the need for complex transfer gates designed to handle the full wide voltage range. This segmentation approach maintains the required drive voltage range while simplifying the transfer gate configuration.
4Measurement precision
If more original drive signals are selected to achieve higher pseudo-resolution, then the printing resolution is improved, but the number of signal paths and switch complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal is segmented into multiple original drive signals (first and second original drive signals) with different waveforms stored in separate signal storage sections. The selection section selectively outputs one waveform based on gradation requirements, providing the necessary pseudo-resolution without requiring additional signal paths or increasing switch complexity. This segmentation strategy achieves high pseudo-resolution with minimal signal path complexity.
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 configuration results in a more energy-efficient and simpler switch selection section with reduced power consumption, enabling high-resolution printing without the complexity and high power usage of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that is displaced according to a drive signal; a cavity of which an inside volume is changed due to the displacement of the piezoelectric element; and a nozzle that is provided to discharge a liquid in the cavity according to the change of the inside volume of the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A driving circuit for driving a capacitive load includes: an original drive signal generator that generates a plurality of original drive signals which includes a first original drive signal and a second original drive signal; a selection section that is capable of selecting one original drive signal from the plurality of original drive signals which includes the first original drive signal and the second original drive signal; a driver that generates a drive signal of voltages in accordance with the one original drive signal.