Fluidic Die Actuator Evaluation Using Re-purposed Activation Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluidic dies in systems like inkjet printers and additive manufacturing devices face issues such as nozzle clogging, particle contamination, and surface damage, leading to operational disruptions and reduced print quality due to defective fluid actuators, which are not efficiently addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic die with integrated actuator evaluation circuitry that re-purposes activation data for both actuator operation and evaluation, allowing for efficient bandwidth usage, reduced computational overhead, and improved resolution times for malfunctioning actuators, while enabling continued operation of other actuators and accommodating varying primitive sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate evaluation circuitry is used for fluid actuators, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases and bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator evaluation circuitry with the existing fluidic die structure by integrating sensors and evaluation logic directly into the die. This merging approach allows actuator state detection to be performed using the same physical infrastructure (communication channels, power lines) already present in the system, eliminating the need for separate dedicated evaluation circuitry while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing communication infrastructure multi-functional by using the same communication channels and timing signals for both actuator control and actuator evaluation. The activation data that normally controls actuators is re-purposed to also initialize evaluation, allowing a single communication bus to serve dual purposes without requiring additional dedicated evaluation channels.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated evaluation channels are used for each actuator, then detection precision is improved, but bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the communication bandwidth multi-functional by using the same activation data channels for both actuator operation and actuator evaluation. Instead of creating separate dedicated evaluation channels, the system re-purposes the existing communication infrastructure to carry evaluation information alongside control information, effectively doubling the utility of the available bandwidth without increasing its quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator evaluation system is self-servicing by using its own activation data and communication channels for evaluation purposes. The actuators essentially evaluate themselves by monitoring their own activation patterns and responses through the existing communication infrastructure, eliminating the need for additional evaluation bandwidth.
3Productivity
If actuator evaluation is performed during operation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous actuator evaluation during normal system operation without interrupting actuator functionality. By initializing evaluation with activation data and performing assessments in real-time, the system maintains continuous monitoring of actuator health while ensuring uninterrupted fluid ejection operations, thus preserving productivity throughout the evaluation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a fluidic die is described. The fluidic die includes an array of fluid actuators grouped into primitives. The fluidic die also includes a fluid actuator controller to selectively activate fluid actuators via activation data. The fluidic die also includes an array of actuator evaluators, wherein each actuator evaluator of the fluidic die is coupled to a subset of the array of fluid actuators. The actuator evaluators selectively evaluate an actuator characteristic of a selected fluid actuator based on: an output of an actuator sensor paired with the selected fluid actuator, the activation data, and an evaluation control signal.