Head Unit Drive Signal Circuit for Liquid Ejection Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatus configurations, including those with piezoelectric elements, lack efficient drive signal management, leading to suboptimal liquid ejection and potential issues with waveform accuracy and ejection precision.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a head unit with a first ejection unit driven by a piezoelectric element, a flexible wiring board, and a drive signal output circuit that selectively uses DC voltage signals and an ejection control signal to generate the drive signal, thereby improving signal propagation and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drive signal output circuit is integrated on the flexible wiring board, then the signal propagation path is shortened and waveform distortion is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional circuit integration
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal output circuit is integrated directly on the flexible wiring board, merging the signal generation and transmission functions into a single component. This eliminates separate discrete circuits and reduces the overall signal path length from the control unit to the piezoelectric element, thereby reducing waveform distortion and improving ejection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible wiring board serves as an intermediary carrier that not only provides electrical connections but also houses the drive signal output circuit. This intermediary structure allows the circuit to be positioned closer to the ejection unit while maintaining flexible routing and connection capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple DC voltage signals are selectively output based on ejection control signals, then the driving accuracy of piezoelectric elements is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple voltage signal management
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal output circuit dynamically selects and outputs different DC voltage signals (first DC voltage signal, second DC voltage signal, or ground potential) based on the ejection control signal state. This dynamic switching capability allows the piezoelectric element to receive precisely controlled voltage levels corresponding to different ejection requirements, thereby improving driving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes the voltage parameter of the drive signal by selectively outputting different DC voltage levels (first voltage value, second voltage value, or ground potential) according to the ejection control signal. This parameter variation enables precise control of the piezoelectric element's driving conditions for different ejection scenarios.
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 driving accuracy of piezoelectric elements and improves ink ejection precision by shortening signal propagation paths and reducing waveform distortion, ultimately leading to more reliable and efficient liquid ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a first ejection unit which includes a first piezoelectric element driven by a first drive signal, and is configured to eject a liquid due to drive of the first piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A head unit includes a first ejection unit which includes a first piezoelectric element driven by a first drive signal, and is configured to eject a liquid due to drive of the first piezoelectric element, a flexible wiring board electrically coupled to the first ejection unit, and a drive signal output circuit to which a first DC voltage signal having a first voltage value, a second DC voltage signal having a second voltage value, and an ejection control signal are input, and which is configured to output the first drive signal, wherein the drive signal output circuit is provided to the flexible wiring board, and is configured to output the first drive signal with the first DC voltage signal selected or deselected and with the second DC voltage signal selected or deselected based on the ejection control signal.