Ink-jet Driving Waveform Pulse Segmentation for Droplet Speed Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printing methods face challenges in maintaining droplet speed consistency across different droplet quantities, leading to inaccurate landing positions and reduced productivity due to the need for common jet pulses and lengthened waveforms.
Innovation Solution
A device for driving a liquid discharge head that generates a basic driving waveform with jet pulses and a non-jet pulse, allowing for the creation of first and second driving signals by removing pulses to match droplet speeds and adjust droplet quantities, thereby ensuring precise landing and high-frequency discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common jet pulse is used for ink drops with different dot sizes, then the driving waveform can be simplified, but the droplet speed cannot be matched between different ink drops, causing landing position errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the driving waveform into multiple independent jet pulses (first jet pulse, second jet pulse, third jet pulse) with different characteristics. Each jet pulse can be selectively applied to discharge different quantities of ink drops (1 drop, 2 drops, or 3 drops) while maintaining appropriate droplet speeds. This segmentation allows the system to avoid using a single common jet pulse for all dot sizes, thereby resolving the contradiction between waveform simplicity and landing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If different driving waveforms are used for small dots and medium dots, then droplet speed can be matched, but the overall waveform length increases, reducing discharge frequency and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple jet pulses (first, second, and third jet pulses) into a single integrated driving waveform structure. By combining these pulses with different ink discharge quantities into one waveform, the system can discharge 1, 2, or 3 ink drops within a single waveform period. This merging approach maintains droplet speed matching for different dot sizes while avoiding the need to lengthen the overall waveform, thus preserving high discharge frequency and productivity.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of jet pulses is increased to discharge more ink drops, then larger dot sizes can be achieved, but the recording period lengthens, reducing discharge frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic driving waveform where the number of jet pulses (first, second, third jet pulses) can be flexibly selected and adjusted based on the required ink drop quantity. The system can dynamically choose to discharge 1, 2, or 3 ink drops by selectively applying the appropriate number of jet pulses within a standardized waveform period. This dynamic approach allows variable ink quantities without extending the recording period, maintaining high discharge frequency while achieving different dot sizes.
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 solution suppresses speed differences between droplets of varying sizes, enhancing landing precision and enabling high-quality image formation while shortening the overall waveform length for increased productivity.
Implementation Method 1
consecutively applying a driving pulse voltage to a piezoelectric actuator so that the amplitude of pressure waves in an ink chamber gradually increases during ink discharging
Data Source
AI summary
A basic driving waveform which includes a plurality of jet pulses and a non-jet pulse just before the last jet pulse in one recording period is generated. A part of the pulses is removed from the basic driving waveform by maintaining at least the last jet pulse, and a driving signal that is applied to a discharge energy generation element is generated. In the case of using only the last jet pulse among the plurality of jet pulses is used for the jet, a first driving signal that includes the non-jet pulse just before the last jet pulse is generated. In the case of joining the last jet pulse and at least another jet pulse among the plurality of jet pulses to use the pulses for the jet, a second driving signal that is configured to remove the non-jet pulse is generated.