Drive Waveform Determination for Liquid Ejection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet printer technologies face challenges in maintaining consistent ejection characteristics of ink droplets across varying environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, leading to unstable printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A drive waveform determination method that acquires and compares ejection characteristics of multiple drive waveform candidates in different environmental conditions to select a waveform that minimizes deviations from ideal ejection characteristics, ensuring consistent ink droplet ejection regardless of environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drive waveform parameters are determined based on ejection characteristics in a single environment condition, then ejection stability is improved under that specific condition, but ejection characteristic consistency deteriorates when environmental conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring ejection characteristics under multiple environment conditions (first, second, and third conditions) before finalizing the drive waveform parameters. The control unit stores multiple sets of parameters corresponding to different conditions and selects the appropriate set based on the current environment, rather than determining parameters reactively after environmental changes occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by adjusting drive waveform parameters based on environmental conditions. The control unit changes at least one parameter of the drive waveform (such as voltage amplitude, pulse width, or frequency) according to the measured environment condition, allowing the ejection characteristics to remain consistent across varying temperatures, humidities, and atmospheric pressures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive waveform parameters are tested across different environment conditions, then environmental adaptability is improved, but determination process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces determination process complexity by performing the complex multi-condition testing and parameter optimization in advance during the preliminary action phase. The control unit stores the results of these comprehensive tests as pre-determined parameter sets, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations when the printer operates under varying environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating multiple copies of drive waveform parameters optimized for specific environment conditions. Instead of performing complex optimization calculations in real-time, the system creates predetermined parameter sets (copies) that can be quickly selected and applied based on the current environment, simplifying the operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If drive waveform is optimized for specific environment condition, then ejection precision is improved under that condition, but ejection characteristic consistency deteriorates across different conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing parameter changes that adapt the drive waveform to different environmental conditions. The control unit modifies at least one drive waveform parameter (such as voltage, pulse width, or frequency) based on the detected environment, maintaining consistent ejection characteristics across varying conditions while preserving the precision benefits of condition-specific optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the drive waveform parameters dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously monitors environmental conditions and adjusts the drive waveform parameters accordingly, allowing the system to transition between different optimized parameter sets based on real-time environmental feedback, thus maintaining both precision and consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive waveform determination method includes: a first acquisition step of executing first acquisition processing for acquiring, in a first environment condition which is a condition of an environment in which a liquid ejection head is provided, first information on an ejection characteristic of a liquid when each of a plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to a drive element; a second acquisition step of executing second acquisition processing for acquiring, in a second environment condition which is a condition of the environment in which the liquid ejection head is provided and is different from the first environment condition, second information on the ejection characteristic when each of the plurality of drive waveform candidates is applied to the drive element; and a waveform determination step of determining a drive waveform based on the first information and the second information.