Droplet Discharging Apparatus Time Division Multiplexing Waveform Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printer technology, the continuous generation of driving pulses during one cycle results in significant waiting time for the nozzle, as only one pulse is selected for printing, while the others are not utilized, leading to inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a droplet discharging apparatus and head control method that generate time division multiplex signals for different driving waveforms, allowing the energy generating element to be driven by any selected waveform, thereby adjusting the amplitude and reducing waiting time by excluding unselected waveform cycles from the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple driving pulses are continuously generated during one printing cycle, then the productivity is improved by having more pulses available, but the loss of time increases due to significant waiting time when only one pulse is selected and the others are not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies time-division multiplexing to continuously transmit multiple driving pulse waveforms through a single signal line without idle periods. The signal generator alternates between different driving pulse waveforms (first, second, third, fourth) in time-division manner, ensuring the nozzle receives continuous driving signals without waiting time, thereby maintaining productivity while eliminating idle time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic switching between different driving pulse waveforms transmitted through the single signal line. The signal generator periodically alternates between first and second driving pulse waveforms, and between third and fourth driving pulse waveforms, allowing the system to utilize multiple pulses in a periodic fashion rather than continuously generating unused pulses
2Device complexity
If a single signal line is used to transmit driving signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to the need to separate multiple time-division multiplexed signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments multiple driving pulse waveforms into different time slots for transmission through a single signal line. The signal generator divides the transmission time into distinct intervals, allocating different waveforms to different time segments, which simplifies the physical signal line configuration while enabling multiple signals to be transmitted sequentially without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signal generator as an intermediary device that performs time-division multiplexing and separation functions. This intermediary component manages the complex task of separating and routing different driving pulse waveforms from the single multiplexed signal line to the appropriate nozzles, thereby shielding the rest of the system from the complexity of signal separation
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 approach reduces nozzle waiting time by allowing only the selected waveform cycle to be included in the printing process, optimizing the use of driving pulses and minimizing idle time.
Implementation Method 1
A printer is known, which generates first to fourth driving pulses having different amplitudes, as driving signals for driving a piezoelectric element of a nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided droplet discharging apparatus including: nozzle configured to discharge liquid by energy generating element; first signal generator configured to generate, based on first and second data representing first and second driving waveforms, first time division multiplex signal; first separator configured to separate first or second driving waveform signal representing the first or second driving waveform from the first time division multiplex signal; second signal generator configured to generate, based on third and fourth data representing third and fourth driving waveforms, second time division multiplex signal; and second separator configured to separate third or fourth driving waveform signal representing the third or fourth driving waveform from the second time division multiplex signal. The energy generating element is driven by the first or second driving waveform signal separated by the first separator, or by the third or fourth driving waveform signal separated by the second separator.