Head Unit Determination Circuit for Piezoelectric Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting devices, such as inkjet printers, face issues with abnormal ejection states due to failures in the piezoelectric elements, leading to inaccurate dot formation and deteriorated image quality, as noise interference occurs when detecting the electrical potential of these elements from a circuit outside the head unit.
Innovation Solution
The determination circuit is integrated within the head unit to reduce noise interference, allowing for accurate detection of the piezoelectric element's electrical storage capability, and the ejection limit circuit stops the drive signal supply when a breakdown is detected, ensuring reliable and prompt cessation of the piezoelectric element's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the determination circuit is provided outside the head unit, then the device complexity is reduced, but noise is mixed into the detected information and the accuracy of the drive determination process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The determination circuit is merged with the head unit into a single integrated structure. The determination circuit includes a detection unit and a determination unit, both located within the head unit, enabling the detection and determination functions to be performed in close proximity to the piezoelectric element, thereby reducing noise interference while maintaining device functionality.
2Measurement precision
If the determination circuit is provided within the head unit, then the accuracy of detecting piezoelectric element status is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination circuit is segmented into two functional units: a detection unit for detecting the potential of the piezoelectric element and a determination unit for determining the drive capability based on the detected potential. This segmentation allows for modular integration within the head unit, improving detection accuracy while managing complexity through functional separation.
3Reliability
If the ejection limit circuit stops the drive signal supply promptly, then the safety and image quality are improved, but the response time for detecting breakdown may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection limit circuit is configured to stop the drive signal supply to the piezoelectric element promptly upon detection of abnormality. This preliminary action prevents further damage and maintains image quality by immediately ceasing operation of the defective element, prioritizing reliability over extended operational time.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy of determining the operational status of piezoelectric elements, preventing image quality deterioration and safety hazards by promptly stopping the drive signal when a breakdown is detected, thus maintaining consistent printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
driving a piezoelectric element provided to the ejecting section using a drive signal to form an image
Data Source
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AI summary
A head unit control circuit controls a head unit, and is provided outside the head unit, the head unit including: an ejecting section that includes a piezoelectric element, and can eject a liquid corresponding to displacement of the piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element being displaced corresponding to a change in potential of a drive signal when the drive signal has been supplied to the piezoelectric element; a determination circuit that determines whether or not the piezoelectric element has a predetermined electrical storage capability; and an ejection limit circuit that stops the supply of the drive signal to the piezoelectric element and limits the ejection of the liquid from the ejection section when a result of the determination is negative, the head unit control circuit supplying an instruction signal, a first designation signal, and a second designation signal to the head unit, the instruction signal instructing the head unit to execute the determination, the determination circuit executing the determination during a determination period in which the first designation signal is set to a high level, the second designation signal is set to a low level, and the instruction signal is supplied.