Drive Circuit Substrate Positioning for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large format inkjet printers, the long distance between the print head and control substrates leads to increased inductance and impedance in signal transmission cables, causing signal distortion, overvoltage, and potential print head malfunctions, which affect printing accuracy and stability.
Innovation Solution
The drive circuit substrate is positioned closer to the carriage than the control circuit substrate, reducing the length of signal transmission wiring and minimizing stray resistance, capacitance, and inductance, thereby improving signal accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control circuit and drive circuit are integrally provided in the carriage, then the cable length is reduced and signal transmission quality is improved, but the weight of the movable unit increases and the load on the motor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit system into two separate substrates: a control circuit substrate and a drive circuit substrate. The drive circuit substrate is mounted on the carriage while the control circuit substrate remains stationary. This segmentation allows the heavy drive circuit components to be positioned close to the print head for short cable lengths, while keeping the control circuit separate to maintain lighter carriage weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a drive signal generation circuit as an intermediary component mounted on the carriage. This circuit receives control signals via a first cable from the stationary control circuit substrate and generates drive signals via a second cable to the print head. This intermediary arrangement optimizes signal transmission by minimizing cable lengths while maintaining system functionality.
2Reliability
If the drive circuit is mounted on the carriage, then the cable length is reduced, but heat generation in the drive circuit affects discharging accuracy and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the control circuit substrate from the drive circuit substrate to spatially isolate heat-generating components. The drive circuit substrate with power amplification components is mounted on the carriage near the print head, while the control circuit substrate remains stationary, allowing better thermal management and reduced heat impact on sensitive discharging operations.
3Area of stationary object
If the cable length is increased for A3 or larger medium printing, then the inductance and impedance increase causing overshoot, undershoot, and potential print head breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement from a linear extension along the medium width to a vertical stacking arrangement. The control circuit substrate is positioned below the carriage while the drive circuit substrate is mounted on the carriage itself. This dimensional reorganization allows short cable lengths to be maintained even when printing on large A3 or larger media, preventing inductance and impedance issues.
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 reduces signal distortion and overvoltage issues, enhancing printing accuracy and stability, especially in high-speed printing applications, while maintaining a compact printer design.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric element is provided so as to correspond to each of a plurality of nozzles in a head (print head), and each of the nozzles is driven in accordance with a drive signal. As a consequence, a predetermined amount of ink (liquid) is discharged at a predetermined timing from the nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging apparatus includes a print head that discharges a liquid, a carriage that is mounted on the print head, a control signal generation circuit, a drive signal generation circuit, a first cable through which a drive signal generation control signal is transmitted to the drive signal generation circuit, a second cable through which a drive signal is transmitted to the print head, a control circuit substrate on which the control signal generation circuit is provided, and a drive circuit substrate on which the drive signal generation circuit is provided. The shortest distance between the control circuit substrate and the carriage is longer than the shortest distance between the drive circuit substrate and the carriage. The drive circuit substrate is provided at a position where a region in which the carriage moves and at least a part of the drive circuit substrate overlap each other.