Droplet Driving Control Device for Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in maintaining consistent droplet ejection periods due to variations in droplet speed, leading to fluctuations in image quality, especially at high image formation speeds where residual pressure vibrations cause deviations in droplet landing positions and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A droplet driving control device with a droplet ejection control unit that adjusts droplet ejection periods by generating two adjusted periods within a set range, ensuring the average ejection period aligns with the requested period, and a control unit that suppresses droplet speed fluctuations by adjusting the driving waveform to maintain consistent droplet landing positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If droplet ejection frequency is increased to achieve high image formation speed, then productivity is improved, but droplet speed consistency deteriorates due to residual pressure vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using two different droplet ejection periods (first period and second period) alternately or in a repeating pattern. This periodic variation in ejection timing allows the system to maintain high average ejection frequency while compensating for residual pressure vibrations that occur at fixed frequencies, thereby preserving both productivity and droplet placement precision at high image formation speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of droplet ejection by introducing multiple ejection periods (first droplet ejection period and second droplet ejection period) instead of using a single fixed period. This parameter variation enables the system to adapt to residual pressure vibrations dynamically, maintaining consistent droplet speed and landing position even when operating at high ejection frequencies required for high image formation speed
2Manufacturing precision
If droplet ejection period is fixed to maintain consistent timing, then droplet ejection precision is improved, but adaptability to speed variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the droplet ejection period variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically selects between a first droplet ejection period and a second droplet ejection period based on real-time conditions, allowing it to adapt to droplet speed variations while maintaining overall ejection precision. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to respond to speed variations without sacrificing timing consistency
Data Source
AI summary
A droplet driving control device includes: a droplet ejection control unit which ejects droplets at requested droplet ejection periods; and an adjustment unit which adjusts control of the droplet ejection control unit using at least continuous two of the droplet ejection periods as one set based on an error of droplet speed with respect to a proper value thereof, so that droplets can be ejected at different droplet ejection periods within a range of the one set, and an average value of the droplet ejection periods within the range of the one set for ejecting the droplets can be equal to each of the requested droplet ejection periods.