Inkjet Head Actuator Segmentation for Pressure Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet heads face challenges in adjusting pressure vibration in the ink chamber due to excessive volume changes caused by auxiliary pulses, leading to reduced print quality and difficulties in managing pressure vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet head employs a drive controller that applies specific drive voltages to electrodes to generate auxiliary pulses, resulting in volume changes that are 50% or less than those caused by ejection pulses, using piezoelectric elements to control pressure chamber volume adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inkjet head applies the auxiliary pulse to the actuator, then print quality is maintained, but the volume change of the ink chamber becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single actuator into multiple actuators (first actuator and second actuator) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to apply auxiliary pulses to only one actuator instead of both, thereby reducing the overall volume change of the ink chamber while still maintaining print quality through localized pressure vibration control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the auxiliary pulse locally to only one of the multiple actuators rather than uniformly to all actuators. This local application of the auxiliary pulse creates pressure vibration in a specific region of the ink chamber, which is sufficient to maintain print quality without causing excessive volume changes throughout the entire chamber.
2Reliability
If the volume change of the pressure chamber becomes excessively large, then auxiliary pulse can prevent print quality reduction, but it becomes difficult to adjust pressure vibration in the ink chamber
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the actuator system into multiple independently controllable actuators, the patent enables fine-grained adjustment of pressure vibration. The drive controller can selectively apply auxiliary pulses to individual actuators, providing precise control over the magnitude and distribution of volume changes, thereby making pressure vibration adjustment easier and more flexible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of multiple actuators with independent drive signals. The drive controller can adjust the timing, duration, and intensity of auxiliary pulses applied to each actuator separately, enabling real-time optimization of pressure vibration characteristics to match varying printing conditions and maintain print quality.
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 precise adjustment of pressure vibrations in the ink chamber, preventing print quality reduction and enhancing the inkjet head's ability to manage pressure changes effectively.
Implementation Method 1
the first actuator and the second actuator comprise a piezoelectric element
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a drive controller. The first actuator and the second actuator constitute a pressure chamber. The first electrode comes in contact with the first actuator from the outer side of the pressure chamber. The second electrode comes in contact with the first actuator and the second actuator from the inner side of the pressure chamber. The third electrode comes in contact with the second actuator from the outer side of the pressure chamber. The drive control section outputs an auxiliary pulse which generates volume change in the pressure chamber that is smaller than volume change of the pressure chamber generated by an ejection pulse for ejecting ink from the pressure chamber to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode.