Ink Jet Head Driver Optimizing Precursor Microvibration Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet heads using shear-mode piezoelectric elements face discharge failures and temperature rises due to premature precursor microvibration, especially when forming small dots at the tail end of a paper sheet, leading to inefficient intermittent discharge performance.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet head driver with a control section that calculates and optimizes the timing of precursor microvibration based on paper sheet passage times and ink deterioration times, ensuring microvibration is performed only when necessary to prevent temperature rises and improve discharge performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precursor microvibration is performed for all nozzles immediately before image formation, then intermittent discharge performance is improved, but temperature rise of the head occurs and discharge failures are caused when the head passing time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of nozzles based on their discharge requirements. Instead of uniformly applying precursor microvibration to all nozzles, the system identifies nozzles that require intermittent discharge (those with fewer than maximum ink drops per pixel) and applies microvibration selectively to these nozzles. This localized approach ensures improved discharge performance for nozzles that need it while avoiding unnecessary microvibration for nozzles that discharge continuously, thereby preventing temperature rise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying precursor microvibration only to the extent necessary for nozzles that require intermittent discharge. The control section calculates the number of ink drops to be discharged for each pixel and identifies nozzles where this number is less than the maximum. Only these nozzles receive the precursor microvibration treatment, rather than applying it excessively to all nozzles. This partial application prevents temperature rise while maintaining the benefits of microvibration for nozzles that need intermittent discharge capability.
2Reliability
If precursor microvibration is performed for all nozzles outside the image formation range, then discharge reliability is improved, but time is wasted when the head passing time is short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by spatially differentiating the microvibration application based on the image formation range. The control section identifies nozzles corresponding to pixels within the image formation range and applies precursor microvibration only to these nozzles. Nozzles outside the image formation range are excluded from microvibration treatment. This spatial differentiation ensures that time is not wasted on nozzles that will not be used for the current printing task while maintaining discharge reliability for nozzles that are actually needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying precursor microvibration only to the extent necessary for nozzles within the image formation range. The control section calculates the image formation range based on the print data and applies microvibration selectively to nozzles corresponding to this range. This partial application avoids excessive time consumption on nozzles outside the range while ensuring reliable discharge for nozzles that will be used.
3Reliability
If precursor microvibration is performed continuously, then discharge performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by timing the precursor microvibration to occur only immediately before image formation, rather than continuously. The control section determines the optimal timing based on the head passing time and ink deterioration time, triggering microvibration at the appropriate moment before the paper sheet reaches the printing position. This periodic timing ensures discharge performance is maintained when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during periods when microvibration is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying precursor microvibration only to the extent necessary for nozzles requiring intermittent discharge. The control section identifies these nozzles based on the number of ink drops to be discharged per pixel and applies microvibration only to them. This partial application reduces energy consumption compared to continuous microvibration of all nozzles while maintaining discharge performance for the necessary nozzles.
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
The optimized timing of precursor microvibration in the ink jet head driver effectively prevents temperature rises and enhances intermittent discharge performance by ensuring microvibration occurs only when required, thereby improving image formation accuracy and reducing discharge failures.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element for pressurizing ink by displacement of a shear mode
Implementation Method 2
perform precursor microvibration (the operation of previously vibrating meniscus of ink to such an extent not to discharge ink from the nozzles)
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet head driver including a control section that calculates a first head passing time required for the paper sheet from the leading edge to the tailing edge to pass the ink jet head, drives the piezoelectric element of the ink jet head for a predetermined time to perform precursor microvibration immediately before a leading edge of the paper sheet reaches right under the ink jet head and then drives the piezoelectric element according to the normal pixel data to form the image on the paper sheet when the first head passing time is under the deterioration time of the ink, and drives the piezoelectric element of the ink jet head for a predetermined time to perform precursor microvibration immediately before the leading edge of the paper sheet reaches right under the ink jet head.