Liquid Discharge Device Drive Circuit Heat Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for higher image formation speeds in liquid discharge devices leads to increased heat generation in drive circuits, which affects the stability of the liquid discharge and electronic components, and existing heat radiation methods are insufficient for efficiently managing heat from multiple drive circuits.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge device configuration with multiple drive circuits arranged side by side on a substrate, where the distance between certain drive circuits is optimized to enhance heat dissipation, and a drive signal selection circuit controls the discharge amount of each piezoelectric element to manage heat generation effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of drive circuits is increased to support higher image formation speeds, then productivity is improved, but heat generation increases and stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation speedVSAvoidoperation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive circuits are divided into multiple groups (first through fourth drive circuits) arranged in a specific spatial pattern on the substrate. This segmentation allows heat to be distributed and radiated from multiple locations rather than concentrated in one area, enabling higher productivity while maintaining stability through improved thermal management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the substrate are designed with specific heat radiation characteristics. The drive circuits are positioned to utilize local heat radiation paths, with certain circuits placed closer to edges or open areas of the substrate to enhance heat dissipation in critical regions, thereby maintaining operational stability at high speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If drive circuits are arranged to optimize heat radiation, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat radiation efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive circuits are arranged in an asymmetric pattern on the substrate rather than a uniform grid. Specifically, the third drive circuit is positioned between the first and second drive circuits, and the fourth drive circuit is positioned closer to the second drive circuit. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes heat radiation paths without requiring complex additional structures, balancing thermal management with design simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If drive circuits output sufficient current for high-speed operation, then productivity is improved, but heat generation increases and causes harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation speedVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful heat generation from high-current drive circuits into a manageable thermal distribution pattern. By strategically positioning drive circuits to create favorable heat radiation paths, the heat that would normally be harmful is redistributed to areas where it can be effectively dissipated, turning a negative effect into an acceptable or even beneficial thermal management solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 improves the stability and efficiency of heat dissipation from multiple drive circuits, maintaining the accuracy and quality of ink discharge while reducing the impact of heat on the device's operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first discharge portion group having a first piezoelectric element and a first discharge portion discharging a liquid in response to a drive of the first piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12103305B2Liquid discharge device and head drive circuit

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharge device includes a first discharge portion, a second discharge portion, a first drive circuit outputs a first drive signal that the first discharge portion discharges a liquid having a first discharge amount, a second drive circuit outputs a second drive signal that the first discharge portion does not discharge a liquid, a third drive circuit outputs a third drive signal that the second discharge portion discharges a liquid having a second discharge amount, and a fourth drive circuit outputs a fourth drive signal that the second discharge portion does not discharge the liquid, in which the third drive circuit is located between the first drive circuit and the second drive circuit along the one direction, and a shortest distance between the fourth drive circuit and the second drive circuit is shorter than a shortest distance between the fourth drive circuit and the third drive circuit.