Drop Ejection Waveform Straightening Pulse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drop ejection devices often produce drops with trajectory errors due to nozzle misalignment and transient or permanent jet straightness issues, leading to degraded image quality in printing applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device using a multi-pulse waveform with a straightening pulse to ensure drops are ejected with a straight trajectory, reducing drop trajectory errors by bulging the meniscus position of fluid past the nozzle and minimizing asymmetric wetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single drive pulse is used to eject drops, then the device operation is simple, but drop trajectory errors occur due to nozzle misalignment and transient jet straightness issues
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive pulse waveform is segmented into multiple pulses: a first drive pulse for building the drop and a second drive pulse for ejecting the drop. This segmentation allows independent optimization of drop formation and ejection phases, enabling straighter trajectories and improved placement accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-pulse control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first drive pulse performs preliminary action by building and preparing the drop before the second drive pulse ejects it. This preliminary drop formation phase ensures the drop is properly formed and positioned, reducing trajectory errors and improving placement accuracy without requiring manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If multi-pulse waveform with straightening pulse is used to reduce trajectory errors, then drop placement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-pulse waveform system performs self-service by automatically executing the sequence of drop building and ejection pulses without external intervention. The controller autonomously manages the complex multi-pulse waveform generation, allowing the system to achieve high placement accuracy while keeping the user interface simple and the operation straightforward.
3Productivity
If drop ejection is performed without straightening pulse, then the ejection process is fast, but jet trajectory errors occur causing image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic multi-pulse waveform alternates between drop building phase (first drive pulse) and ejection phase (second drive pulse), creating a rhythmic cycle that maintains high ejection speed. The periodic nature of this action ensures consistent drop formation and trajectory control, preventing trajectory errors and maintaining image quality while sustaining productivity.
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 solution effectively reduces drop placement errors, improving image quality by ensuring drops are ejected straightly, thereby enhancing the accuracy and consistency of drop placement in printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
Drop ejection is controlled by pressurizing fluid in the fluid path with an actuator
Implementation Method 2
an actuator, which may be, for example, a piezoelectric deflector
Data Source
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AI summary
Described herein is a method and apparatus for driving a drop ejection device to produce drops having straight trajectories. In one embodiment, a method for driving a drop ejection device having an actuator includes building a drop of a fluid with at least one drive pulse by applying a multi- pulse waveform having the at least one drive pulse and a straightening pulse to the actuator. Next, the method includes causing the drop ejection device to eject the drop with a straight trajectory in response to the pulses of the multi-pulse waveform. The straightening pulse is designed to ensure that the drop is ejected without a drop trajectory error.