Inkjet Nozzle Inspection Circuit Using Series Charge Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printers require large voltage boosting circuits, often using transformers, which result in a bulky size for the voltage boosting circuit necessary for inspecting nozzle abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A voltage applying circuit utilizing multiple charge pumps with capacitors and diodes, connected in series, to boost voltage and reduce the overall size of the circuit board by replacing traditional transformer-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a transformer is used to boost voltage for nozzle inspection, then the required voltage can be achieved, but the circuit board size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the transformer-based voltage boosting system with a charge pump system. The charge pump uses capacitors and diodes to boost voltage through electrical means rather than electromagnetic induction, significantly reducing the required circuit board area while achieving the same voltage boosting function for nozzle inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the voltage boosting system by using multiple capacitors connected in series within the charge pump circuit. This configuration allows the system to achieve high voltage output with much smaller component sizes compared to a transformer, directly addressing the area reduction goal
2Power
If a transformer is used to boost voltage, then the voltage can be increased to tens or hundreds of volts, but the circuit becomes bulky and components protrude significantly from the board
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the transformer with a charge pump configuration using capacitors and diodes. This electrical approach to voltage boosting eliminates the need for large magnetic components, reducing both the footprint and the protrusion height of the voltage boosting circuit while maintaining the capability to generate tens or hundreds of volts for inspection purposes
3Power
If a transformer-based voltage boosting circuit is used, then the circuit can provide sufficient voltage for inspection, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the transformer-based system with a charge pump system using capacitors and diodes connected in series. This substitution dramatically reduces the volume of the voltage boosting circuit while maintaining sufficient voltage output for nozzle inspection, as the capacitive energy storage and transfer mechanism requires much less space than electromagnetic transformation
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 use of charge pumps enables a more compact circuit design, allowing for effective voltage boosting while minimizing the circuit's size and component protrusion from the board, and efficiently generating a potential difference for nozzle inspection.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of charge pumps includes a capacitor and a diode, and is configured to boost a voltage
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of charge pumps are connected in series. The voltage applying circuit is configured to apply the voltage boosted by the plurality of charge pumps to the liquid ejecting head or to the electrode so that a potential difference between the liquid ejecting head and the electrode is generated
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle and configured to eject a liquid from the nozzle; a signal output part having an electrode and configured to output a signal in accordance with an electric change in the electrode in a case that the liquid is ejected from the nozzle; and a voltage applying circuit having a plurality of charge pumps each of which includes a capacitor and a diode, each of which is configured to boost a voltage input thereto and which are connected in series, the voltage applying circuit being configured to apply the voltage boosted by the plurality of charge pumps to the liquid ejecting head or to the electrode, thereby generating a potential difference between the liquid ejecting head and the electrode.