Inductor Structure for Liquid Discharge Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of nozzles in ink jet printers leads to higher current output, causing magnetic saturation in the inductance elements of the driving signal output circuit, resulting in waveform distortion and deteriorated ink discharge characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge apparatus incorporates a unique inductor structure with a zigzag-shaped lead member and a guide member to reduce current density and increase the effective cross-sectional area, minimizing magnetic saturation and waveform distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to improve printing speed, then productivity is improved, but the current output increases causing magnetic saturation in the inductance element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single inductance element into multiple inductance elements (first inductance element and second inductance element) corresponding to different discharge sections. Each inductance element handles the current for its specific discharge section, distributing the total current load and preventing magnetic saturation in any single element while maintaining high printing speed capability.
2Productivity
If the current output is increased to support more nozzles, then productivity is improved, but waveform distortion occurs due to magnetic saturation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the inductance elements and assigning each to specific discharge sections, the patent ensures that each element operates within its magnetic saturation limits. This maintains waveform accuracy for each discharge section while collectively supporting high current output for multiple nozzles, thus improving productivity without sacrificing waveform precision.
3Device complexity
If a conventional inductance element is used, then device complexity is low, but magnetic saturation causes harmful effects on driving signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple inductance elements instead of a single conventional element, distributing the magnetic flux and current load. This segmentation reduces the magnetic saturation effect in each individual element while maintaining relatively simple device structure, thereby minimizing harmful effects on the driving signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a shield member as an intermediary between the inductance elements and the discharge sections. This shield member intercepts and redirects magnetic flux, preventing direct magnetic saturation effects on the piezoelectric elements and reducing harmful magnetic field interference, thus protecting the driving signal integrity.
4Device complexity
If the inductance element is positioned closer to discharge sections, then device complexity is reduced, but magnetic field interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield member acts as an intermediary placed between the inductance elements and the discharge sections. It physically blocks and redirects magnetic flux lines, reducing magnetic field interference with the piezoelectric elements while allowing the inductance elements to be positioned close to the discharge sections for simplified circuit layout and reduced inductance.
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 maintains the ink discharge characteristics by reducing magnetic saturation and waveform distortion, even with increased current output, thereby enhancing the operational stability of the ink jet printer.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that is provided in a head unit corresponding to each of the plurality of nozzles (650). In addition, each of the piezoelectric elements operates according to the driving signal
Implementation Method 2
an increase in the amount of current causes a problem such as magnetic saturation in the inductance element of the smoothing circuit that outputs the driving signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus, in which a first inductance element included in a first demodulation circuit has a first terminal which a first amplified modulated signal is input, a second terminal which a first driving signal is output, a second inductance element included in a second demodulation circuit has a third terminal which is provided in a fourth side portion, and to which a second amplified modulated signal is input, a fourth terminal which is provided in a fifth side portion that faces the fourth side portion, and from which a second driving signal is output, and a second lead member coupled to the third terminal and the fourth terminal and having a third refraction point and a fourth refraction point, and the first inductance element and the second inductance element are positioned such that the second side portion and the fourth side portion face each other.