Ink-Droplet Ejecting Apparatus Stabilizing Pulse Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face limitations in increasing recording speed due to the need for longer driving cycles and increased driving voltage to shorten pulse widths, which is hindered by the requirement to suppress residual vibrations using stabilizing pulses.
Innovation Solution
The ink-droplet ejecting apparatus employs a driving pulse signal with successive main pulses and strategically placed stabilizing pulses to effectively suppress residual vibrations, allowing for shorter overall pulse widths and increased drive frequency without the need to shorten ink channels or increase driving voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stabilizing pulses are output after each main pulse to suppress residual vibrations, then ink ejection stability is improved, but overall pulse width becomes long and recording speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple stabilizing pulses into a single merged stabilizing pulse that follows the sequence of main pulses. Instead of placing stabilizing pulses after each main pulse (which would create long overall pulse width), the invention merges them into one consolidated pulse that suppresses residual vibrations from all main pulses simultaneously, thereby maintaining ink ejection stability while shortening the overall pulse width to increase recording speed.
2Speed
If ink channels are shortened to reduce one-way propagation time, then drive frequency can be increased, but driving voltage must be increased to maintain ejection pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of the pulse signal (pulse width, timing intervals) rather than modifying the physical dimensions of the ink channel. By optimizing the overall pulse width and timing of main and stabilizing pulses, the invention achieves shorter drive cycles and higher drive frequency without altering ink channel length, thereby avoiding the need to increase driving voltage to maintain ejection pressure.
3Productivity
If overall pulse width is reduced to increase drive frequency, then recording speed is improved, but residual vibration suppression becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a merged stabilizing pulse that acts as an intermediary element between the sequence of main pulses. This single stabilizing pulse is strategically positioned to suppress residual vibrations generated by all main pulses within the shortened overall pulse width, thereby maintaining vibration suppression effectiveness while enabling higher drive frequency and recording speed.
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 approach enables higher recording speeds by reducing the overall pulse width, minimizing residual vibrations, and maintaining effective ink ejection without the necessity of shorter ink channels or elevated driving voltages, thus enhancing operational efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric actuator (2) which faces the pressure chamber (36), and which changes a volume of the pressure chamber (36) according to a driving pulse signal
Data Source
AI summary
A driving pulse signal for forming one dot includes a first, a second, and a third main pulses applied intermittently with an intervals to eject an ink droplet, and a stabilizing pulse which is inserted between the main pulses, and which suppresses a residual vibration of an ink in a pressure chamber, generated by a main pulse applied previously. The third main pulse suppresses the residual vibration of the ink generated by the second main pulse, and also a pulse width of the third pulse is adjusted such that there is no residual vibration remained, due to application of the last main pulse. Consequently, it is possible to suppress effectively the residual vibration of the ink by the less number of the stabilizing pulses compared to the number of main pulses. As a result, an overall pulse width becomes short, and it is possible to increase the recording speed.