Drive Waveform Generating Device for Liquid Discharge Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge systems using liquid discharge heads face challenges in preventing viscosity increases and efficiently managing meniscus vibration to prevent droplet discharge, particularly with existing two-stage raising waveform elements that may not effectively control pressure generation for stable liquid discharge.
Innovation Solution
A drive waveform generating device and method that includes a first waveform with falling, raising, and potential holding elements, and a second waveform with raising, potential holding, and falling elements, allowing for continuous and discontinuous applications to a pressure generation element in a liquid discharge head to control micro vibration and discharge operations, ensuring stable liquid discharge without increasing viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional two-stage raising waveform elements are used for micro vibration driving, then meniscus shaking is achieved, but viscosity increases and droplet discharge control becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The drive waveform is divided into multiple distinct elements (falling element, first raising element, second raising element, holding element) that can be independently controlled and optimized. This segmentation allows precise control over the pressure generation process, enabling effective meniscus vibration while preventing excessive pressure buildup that causes viscosity increase and unstable droplet discharge
Solution Approach 2:
The waveform dynamically transitions through different potential stages (lower → intermediate → higher potential) with controlled raising and falling elements. This dynamic pressure control enables the system to adapt the driving force in real-time, achieving stable meniscus shaking without causing harmful viscosity increases in the liquid
2Stability of the object's composition
If micro vibration driving is performed to shake the meniscus, then viscosity increase is prevented, but waveform complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-element waveform structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the falling element controls pressure release, the raising elements generate meniscus vibration, and the holding element maintains stable pressure. This multi-functional design achieves viscosity stability through a single integrated waveform rather than requiring multiple separate control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The waveform employs periodic cycles of raising and falling elements that create rhythmic meniscus vibration. This periodic action effectively prevents viscosity increase through continuous micro-vibration while maintaining a structured, repeatable pattern that simplifies control compared to aperiodic complex waveforms
3Productivity
If discharge pulse with voltage holding waveform element is used, then liquid discharge is achieved, but meniscus vibration control for non-discharge operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The waveform dynamically adjusts between discharge and non-discharge modes by selectively activating different elements. For discharge, the full sequence (falling, raising, holding) is applied; for non-discharge, the waveform can be modified to apply only the raising elements without the holding element, enabling easy switching between operations while maintaining both discharge efficiency and vibration control
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the waveform into distinct functional elements, the system can selectively apply only the necessary components for each operation mode. The raising elements can be used alone for non-discharge vibration, or combined with the holding element for discharge operations, providing operational flexibility without requiring completely different waveform structures
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 solution enables efficient control of liquid discharge and non-discharge operations, maintaining stable meniscus vibration and preventing droplet discharge, thereby improving the stability and efficiency of liquid discharge processes while allowing for high-frequency driving without increasing waveform length.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element (112A) serving as a pressure generation element
Data Source
AI summary
A drive waveform generating device includes circuitry configured to generate a drive waveform to be applied to a pressure generation element of a liquid discharge head. The drive waveform including a first waveform and a second waveform continuous in time series with the first waveform. The first waveform includes a falling element to lower a potential from an intermediate potential to a lower potential lower than the intermediate potential, a raising element to raise the potential from the lower potential to a higher potential higher than the intermediate potential, and a potential holding element to hold the higher potential. The second waveform includes a raising element to raise the potential from the intermediate potential to a raised potential higher than the intermediate potential, a potential holding element to hold the raised potential, and a falling element to lower the potential from the raised potential to the intermediate potential.