Head Substrate Communication Control for Low-Power Analog Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head substrates in inkjet printing apparatuses face increased power consumption due to continuous supply of current to analog circuits, and existing solutions require additional electrodes for power management, complicating the substrate configuration.
Innovation Solution
A head substrate design that includes a communication input unit for controlling current supply to functional units, using flags in communication data to enable or disable power to analog circuits, eliminating the need for dedicated control electrodes and simplifying the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current is continuously supplied to analog circuits in the head substrate, then the analog circuits can maintain operational readiness, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic power supply control by transitioning the analog circuit between powered and unpowered states based on operational requirements. The control unit periodically activates the analog circuit only when needed for liquid discharge control, rather than maintaining continuous power supply, thus reducing overall power consumption while ensuring operational readiness when required.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a dedicated electrode is added for controlling the analog circuit to enter stopped state, then power consumption can be reduced, but the configuration of the head substrate becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing communication electrode serve multiple functions: it is used both for receiving communication data from the external control unit and for controlling the power supply state of the analog circuit. By multiplexing the function of the communication electrode to include analog circuit power control, the patent avoids adding dedicated electrodes, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving power consumption reduction.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the analog circuit enters stopped state, then power consumption is reduced, but the response time to resume operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the power supply voltage even when the analog circuit is in the stopped state, ensuring that the circuit remains partially powered and can quickly resume operation. This preliminary maintenance of power supply capability reduces the response time when needing to resume analog circuit functionality, while still achieving significant power consumption reduction compared to continuous full-power operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A head substrate including a liquid discharge element for discharging a liquid, the head substrate comprising a functional unit configured to realize a predetermined function, and a communication input unit to which communication data is to be inputted, wherein the communication data includes a first portion for setting a function of the functional unit and a second portion for controlling a supply of current to the functional unit.