Fluid Ejection Device Nozzle Circuit Addressing for Print Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid ejection devices, such as printer ink cartridges, can only enable one nozzle circuit in a data line grouping at a time, preventing simultaneous ejection of droplets from adjacent nozzles, which limits fluid flux and printing speed.
Innovation Solution
The solution allows for individual and simultaneous enabling of pairs of nozzle circuits within a data line grouping by using a unique subset of address lines, enabling both nozzle circuits to eject droplets that merge into a larger drop, thereby increasing fluid flux and print speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one nozzle circuit in a data line grouping is enabled at a time, then control simplicity is maintained, but fluid flux and printing speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle circuits are divided into pairs, with each pair having a unique subset of address lines. This segmentation allows independent control of each nozzle circuit within a pair while maintaining simplified control through shared address lines for the pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of control by adding a third address line to pairs of nozzle circuits. This allows the transition from selecting one of many nozzle circuits to selecting a pair, then selecting one or both within the pair, effectively adding a hierarchical control dimension.
2Quantity of substance
If adjacent nozzles eject droplets simultaneously, then fluid flux increases, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pairs of nozzle circuits are merged by sharing a unique subset of address lines. This merging allows both nozzle circuits in a pair to be enabled simultaneously through a single control signal combination, increasing fluid flux without proportionally increasing control complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual nozzle circuits are enabled selectively, then print quality improves, but the ability to eject larger droplets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts droplet size by enabling either one or both nozzle circuits in a pair based on printing requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to switch between high-precision single-droplet ejection and high-flux dual-droplet ejection modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of droplet volume by allowing simultaneous enabling of both nozzle circuits in a pair. This parameter change enables the ejection of larger merged droplets when needed, while maintaining the ability to eject smaller individual droplets for high-precision printing.
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 enhances print quality and speed by allowing simultaneous ejection of droplets from adjacent nozzles, resulting in increased fluid flux and improved print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a firing element positioned in a vaporization chamber and configured to vaporize fluid in the vaporization chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C~3D
AI summary
A fluid ejection device includes a plurality of address lines and a fire line for communicating a fire signal. The device also includes a plurality of nozzle circuits coupled to the fire line and the plurality of address lines. Each nozzle circuit is configured, when enabled, to eject fluid via a different one of a plurality of nozzles in response to the fire signal. A subset of the plurality of address lines is coupled to each pair of the plurality of nozzle circuits. Each subset that is coupled to one of the pairs of nozzle circuits is selected so that simultaneous activation of every address line of that subset simultaneously enables each nozzle circuit in the pair or pairs of nozzle circuits coupled to that triad and none of the other nozzle circuits of the plurality of nozzle circuits.