Drive Circuit Board Layout for Liquid Ejection Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses using piezoelectric elements for image formation on a medium lack optimal methods for arranging drive circuits on wiring boards, leading to potential instability and inefficiencies in power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drive circuit board configuration that includes first and second drive circuits with switching and smoothing circuits, arranged along a specific direction and partially overlapping each other, to output drive signals for capacitive loads, with a base drive signal output circuit and a connector, optimizing the layout to reduce power consumption and improve signal accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If drive circuits are arranged in a conventional layout on the wiring board, then the circuit can be implemented, but the power consumption increases and signal waveform accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional two-dimensional planar arrangement of drive circuits to a three-dimensional stacked configuration where drive circuits are arranged in multiple layers vertically. This dimensional change allows for reduced power consumption and improved signal waveform accuracy by optimizing the spatial relationship between circuit components and reducing interference, while effectively utilizing the vertical space on the wiring board.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the drive circuit into multiple independent modules (first drive circuit, second drive circuit, etc.) that can be independently arranged and optimized. Each drive circuit module is configured as a separate unit with its own switching element and smoothing circuit, allowing for optimized placement to minimize power consumption and maximize signal accuracy without affecting other circuits.
2Reliability
If drive circuits are arranged in a conventional layout on the wiring board, then the circuit can be implemented, but the noise interference increases and operation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging drive circuits in a three-dimensional stacked configuration rather than a conventional two-dimensional layout, the patent reduces noise interference between circuits. The vertical arrangement with controlled spacing and strategic positioning of switching elements and smoothing circuits minimizes electromagnetic interference, thereby improving operation stability and reducing harmful noise effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces smoothing circuits as intermediary components between the switching elements and the output terminals. These smoothing circuits act as mediators that filter and condition the drive signals, reducing noise and stabilizing the output waveforms. The intermediary smoothing circuits effectively isolate and dampen noise generated by the switching operations.
3Area of stationary object
If drive circuits are arranged in a conventional layout on the wiring board, then the circuit can be implemented, but the circuit size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional space by stacking drive circuits in multiple layers vertically on the wiring board, rather than spreading them out in a conventional two-dimensional arrangement. This dimensional transition significantly reduces the horizontal area occupied by the circuit while maintaining all necessary functional components, thereby improving layout efficiency and reducing overall circuit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where drive circuit modules are positioned in overlapping or adjacent regions across different layers. The first drive circuit and second drive circuit are configured to partially overlap when viewed from a top-down perspective, with vertical stacking allowing components to be nested in the third dimension. This nesting approach minimizes the total area required while preserving circuit functionality and ease of operation.
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 proposed drive circuit board layout reduces power consumption and enhances signal waveform accuracy, minimizing noise interference and circuit size while ensuring stable operation of the liquid ejection apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first smoothing circuit configured to smooth the second switching signal, and then output the second switching signal thus smoothed as the first drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit board configured to output a first drive signal and a second drive signal for driving a capacitive load includes a first drive circuit configured to output the first drive signal, a second drive circuit configured to output the second drive signal, a base drive signal output circuit configured to output a first base drive signal and a second base drive signal, a connector from which the first base drive signal and the second base drive signal are output, and a wiring board, wherein the first drive circuit, the base drive signal output circuit, and the connector are disposed on the wiring board along a first direction in an order of the base drive signal output circuit, the first drive circuit, and the connector, and the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit are disposed to at least partially overlap each other.