Ink Jet Printer Actuator Voltage Pulse Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face issues with ink viscosity leading to unsatisfactory discharging, and conventional discharge flushing consumes ink, while maintaining stable ink droplet discharge during printing is challenging.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a non-discharge flushing technique that increases the amplitude of the ink pressure wave by enhancing the expanding and contracting velocity of the piezoelectric element, using distinct voltage pulses for printing and flushing to prevent ink viscosity increase without affecting stable ink droplet discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discharge flushing is performed to discharge viscous ink from the nozzle, then ink discharging characteristics are improved, but ink consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discharging ink to flush the nozzle (conventional method), the patent applies reverse action by generating pressure waves that agitate ink in place without discharge. The actuator generates pressure waves that travel through the ink passage and reflect back, creating agitation that prevents viscosity increase without consuming ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs mechanical vibration by using the actuator to generate pressure waves that agitate the ink within the nozzle and passage. This vibration prevents ink from becoming viscous by maintaining movement and mixing of the ink, thereby preventing clogging without requiring ink discharge.
2Productivity
If the voltage change of the voltage pulse is increased to improve non-discharge flushing efficiency, then the amplitude of the ink pressure wave increases, but stable ink droplet discharge becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using different voltage pulse characteristics for different operations. For non-discharge flushing, a first voltage pulse with larger voltage change is used to generate high-amplitude pressure waves. For stable ink droplet discharge, a second voltage pulse with smaller voltage change is used. This dynamic adjustment of voltage pulse parameters allows the system to optimize performance for each specific operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by adjusting the voltage change amount of the voltage pulse applied to the actuator. By varying this parameter, the system can control the amplitude of the generated pressure wave, enabling effective non-discharge flushing when using a larger voltage change and stable ink droplet discharge when using a smaller voltage change.
3Productivity
If the expanding and contracting velocity of the piezoelectric element is increased to increase energy applied to ink, then non-discharge flushing efficiency improves, but ink droplet discharge stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by adjusting the voltage pulse characteristics based on the desired operation. For non-discharge flushing, the voltage pulse is designed to produce rapid expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element, generating high-amplitude pressure waves that effectively agitate the ink. For stable ink droplet discharge, the voltage pulse parameters are adjusted to produce more controlled and stable actuator motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by adjusting the voltage change amount and pulse width of the driving voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. These parameter changes directly control the expanding and contracting velocity of the actuator, enabling optimization for either non-discharge flushing or stable ink droplet discharge as needed.
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 allows for efficient non-discharge flushing without ink consumption, maintaining stable ink droplet discharge during printing, and can be performed independently or in conjunction with discharge flushing.
Implementation Method 1
When a pulsating driving voltage is applied to the first electrode, an electrical field operates in the direction of the thickness on the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element that is being acted upon by the electrical field expands or contracts.
Implementation Method 2
the actuator is driven such that ink droplets are not discharged from the nozzle, and a pressure wave is generated in the ink within the pressure chamber and the nozzle. The ink is agitated.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printer is provided with a passage unit, an actuator, and a pulse applying device. The passage unit comprises a nozzle, a pressure chamber, and an ink passage located between the nozzle and the pressure chamber. The actuator faces the pressure chamber and comprises a first electrode, a second electrode to which a reference potential can be applied, and a piezoelectric element located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The pulse applying device is capable of applying a first voltage pulse to the first electrode such that the nozzle discharges an ink droplet, and a second voltage pulse to the first electrode such that the nozzle does not discharge the ink droplet. A voltage change on a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the second voltage pulse is greater than a voltage change on a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the first voltage pulse.