Drive Circuit Abnormality Detection for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses with piezoelectric elements lack effective mechanisms for controlling drive circuits when abnormalities occur, leading to potential system failures and disruptions in printing operations.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit design that includes dual drive signal output circuits with integrated control and abnormality detection circuits, allowing for the transmission of abnormality occurrences between circuits to enable controlled stopping of drive signals and maintaining system stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive circuits are used to drive piezoelectric elements, then multi-tone printing capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when an abnormality occurs in one of the drive circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements abnormality detection circuits in each drive circuit that monitor the operational status of other drive circuits. When an abnormality is detected, the system provides feedback by stopping the drive signal output from affected circuits, preventing system failure and maintaining reliable operation of non-affected circuits.
2Reliability
If abnormality detection and control mechanisms are added to drive circuits, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into multiple independent drive circuits, each equipped with its own abnormality detection circuit. This segmentation allows each circuit to autonomously monitor and respond to abnormalities, improving reliability without requiring a centralized complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each drive circuit is equipped with self-diagnostic capabilities through abnormality detection circuits that automatically monitor the system status. When an abnormality is detected, the circuit autonomously stops its drive signal output without requiring external intervention, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining high reliability.
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 solution ensures the drive circuit can autonomously detect and respond to abnormalities, preventing system failures by stopping affected drive signals and reducing the risk of operational disruptions, thus enhancing the reliability and safety of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element such as a piezo element is known. The piezoelectric element is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of nozzles in a head unit, and each is driven according to a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is a provided a drive circuit in which a first drive signal output circuit includes a first control circuit that controls an output of a first drive signal, and a first abnormality detection circuit that detects an abnormality in a first drive signal output circuit, a second drive signal output circuit includes a second control circuit that controls an output of a second drive signal, and a second abnormality detection circuit that detects an abnormality in a second drive signal output circuit, the first drive signal output circuit transmits an occurrence of abnormality to the second drive signal output circuit, when the first abnormality detection circuit detects the abnormality, and the second drive signal output circuit transmits an occurrence of abnormality to the first drive signal output circuit, when the second abnormality detection circuit detects the abnormality.