Cascade Printhead Error Detection Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing apparatuses with multiple printheads or element substrates face challenges in detecting and addressing print data transfer errors in real time, leading to increased production costs and reduced electrical reliability due to the complexity of wiring and signal transfer errors, which hinder high-resolution and large-format printing.
Innovation Solution
A printhead with cascade-connected element substrates equipped with error detection and output circuits that monitor print data signals for transfer errors and output results efficiently, allowing for real-time error detection and control without increasing the number of wiring lines, thereby improving printing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of element substrates or printheads increases to meet large-format printing requirements, then the printing width and resolution are improved, but the number of wiring lines, connectors, and transfer paths increases, raising production cost and reducing electrical reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is divided into multiple element substrates that can be cascade-connected. Each element substrate contains a subset of printing elements and can be independently manufactured and tested, then connected in series to achieve large-format printing without requiring a proportional increase in wiring complexity at the system level.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple element substrates are cascade-connected to form a unified printhead assembly. The error detection circuits from all element substrates are combined into a single error output signal, reducing the number of separate error indication lines needed while maintaining comprehensive error monitoring across all printing elements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of element substrates increases, then high-resolution and large-format printing is enabled, but signal transfer errors increase due to longer transfer paths
Solution Approach 1:
Error detection is performed at each element substrate before signals are fully processed. By detecting transfer errors locally at each stage of the cascade connection, the system can identify and flag errors early in the signal path, preventing corrupted data from propagating through the entire long transfer path to subsequent element substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
Each element substrate includes an error detection circuit that monitors incoming print data signals and provides feedback through an error output circuit. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and report transfer errors in real-time, enabling corrective actions to be taken before errors affect the final printed output.
3Reliability
If error detection circuits are added to each element substrate, then transfer errors can be detected in real-time, but the circuit scale and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The error detection circuit is designed as a universal, standardized component that can be integrated into each element substrate using the same basic circuit architecture. This multi-functional design allows the same error detection logic to handle various types of transfer errors across all element substrates, reducing the need for different specialized circuits and thereby controlling overall circuit scale.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing complex, custom error detection circuits for each element substrate, the patent uses simplified error detection logic that can be replicated across all substrates. By copying a basic, proven error detection design rather than creating unique complex circuits for each substrate, the overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive error detection coverage.
4Device complexity
If cascade-connection of element substrates is implemented to reduce wiring lines, then the number of signal lines is reduced, but the transfer path length increases, potentially causing transfer errors
Solution Approach 1:
The cascade-connection architecture segments the printhead into multiple element substrates that process data in sequence. While this creates a longer logical transfer path, it reduces the physical wiring complexity by using a serial daisy-chain connection method rather than requiring separate dedicated wiring for each substrate pair. The segmentation allows error detection at each stage, mitigating the risks of the extended transfer path.
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 enables real-time detection and correction of transfer errors, reducing production costs and enhancing printing reliability by minimizing the number of wiring lines and circuit scale, allowing for high-resolution and large-format printing with improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an error detection circuit configured to detect whether or not a transfer error has occurred in a print data signal corresponding to printing elements of one element substrate every time the print data signal corresponding to the printing elements of one element substrate is transferred and latched
Implementation Method 2
an error output circuit configured to output a result of detection by the error detection circuit to outside, wherein the error output circuit on each stage receives a detection result from the error output circuit on a preceding stage
Implementation Method 3
A current is supplied to the printing element to generate heat and heat ink. The film boiling resulting from the heating of ink causes an ink droplet to be discharged for printing.
Implementation Method 4
The film boiling resulting from the heating of ink causes an ink droplet to be discharged for printing.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to real time detection of occurrence of a transfer error and feedback of the detection result to a printing apparatus in consideration of a possible risk that a signal transfer error occurs on a transfer path that becomes longer as the printhead is elongated. To accomplish this, in a printhead configured by cascade-connecting a plurality of element substrates, information of a transfer error detected in real time in each element substrate during transfer of a print data signal is output to an element substrate on the next stage by taking account of information input from an element substrate on the preceding stage. Information containing pieces of information from all element substrates is output from an element substrate on the final stage.