Inkjet Drive Waveform Segmentation for Droplet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet apparatuses face challenges in increasing printing speed due to elongated drive waveforms required for ejecting ink droplets of different sizes, which complicates drive signal generation and reduces reliability.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a recording head and pressure generator unit that generates drive waveforms with selected pulses based on droplet sizes, altering waveform components to reduce the overall drive waveform length and enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If plural drive pulses are selected to eject ink droplets of different sizes, then the inkjet head can form various sized dots, but the drive waveform becomes elongated and printing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive waveform is segmented into multiple drive pulses (first drive pulse, second drive pulse, third drive pulse) with different waveform components. Each pulse can be selectively activated based on the required droplet size, allowing versatile control while maintaining compact pulse durations to maximize printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and combines different drive pulses and waveform components based on real-time requirements for droplet size. The head drive control unit adapts the drive waveform composition dynamically, choosing from available pulses to achieve various droplet sizes without fixed elongated waveforms, thus maintaining high printing speed across different ejection requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive pulses are combined to form common drive waveforms, then various sized dots can be formed, but the drive signal generation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The drive waveform generator creates a universal set of basic drive pulses (first, second, and third drive pulses with different waveform components) that can be independently combined in multiple ways to achieve various dot sizes. This universal pulse library simplifies signal generation by providing standardized building blocks rather than requiring complex unique waveforms for each dot size.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex drive signal generation is segmented into discrete, manageable drive pulses with defined waveform components. Each pulse is a simple unit that can be independently controlled and combined, making the overall signal generation process more manageable and less complex despite the versatility it enables.
3Ease of operation
If non-ejecting pulses are generated to control head movement, then the head can be driven without ejecting ink, but the drive waveform length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-ejecting pulse is merged with adjacent drive pulses by selecting partial waveform components from them. Instead of inserting a separate, time-consuming non-ejecting pulse, the system combines head movement control with existing ejection pulse structures, utilizing portions of drive pulses to achieve both functions simultaneously and reducing overall waveform length.
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 faster printing speeds and improved reliability by optimizing the formation of ejecting pulses for various droplet sizes, shortening the drive waveform and preventing meniscus deflection.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element used as a pressure generator which changes its volume in response to a voltage applied thereto, thereby generating pressure in a liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
a liquid chamber in communication with the nozzle and in communication with the pressure generator, wherein the liquid chamber expands and contracts in response to pressure changes
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head having nozzles ejecting liquid droplets, a liquid chamber in communication with the nozzles, a pressure generator unit generating pressure inside the liquid chamber, and a head drive control unit to generate a drive waveform having plural drive pulses arranged in time series, each of the drive pulses having waveform components, to form an ejecting pulse for ejecting the liquid droplets by selecting one or more of the plural drive pulses based on a corresponding one of liquid droplet sizes and supply the formed ejecting pulse to the pressure generator unit. In the image forming apparatus, when the ejecting pulse is formed by selecting one or more of the plural drive pulses, shapes of the waveform components of the selected plural drive pulses are partially changed based on the corresponding one of the liquid droplet sizes.