Inkjet Head Meniscus Control for Satellite Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet heads often experience satellite or mist formation due to trailing portions of ink droplets, leading to deterioration in printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inkjet head with an actuator and controller that applies an acceleration pulse to the meniscus after a discharge pulse, increasing the flow velocity of the meniscus to absorb the trailing portion and prevent satellite or mist formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a discharge pulse is applied to drive the pressure chamber to discharge ink droplets, then ink droplets are discharged from the nozzle, but trailing portions extend from the ink droplets towards the meniscus causing satellite or mist formation
Solution Approach 1:
An acceleration pulse is applied to the actuator before the discharge pulse to preliminarily accelerate the meniscus flow velocity. This preliminary action ensures that when the ink droplet is discharged, the trailing portion is quickly pulled back into the ink droplet, preventing satellite or mist formation while maintaining discharge efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is driven with periodic pulses including both acceleration pulses and discharge pulses in a specific sequence. This periodic action pattern allows the meniscus to be accelerated before discharge and then reset, creating a rhythm that prevents trailing portion formation while enabling continuous ink droplet discharge
2Manufacturing precision
If the meniscus flow velocity is increased to absorb trailing portions, then satellite or mist formation is suppressed, but additional acceleration pulses increase the complexity of the driving signal
Solution Approach 1:
The driving signal parameters are optimized by setting specific voltage levels and time intervals for the acceleration pulse and discharge pulse. By carefully controlling the acceleration pulse width (e.g., 0.5-2.0 ms) and voltage, the meniscus velocity is increased sufficiently to absorb trailing portions without requiring overly complex multi-stage pulse sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the same actuator to perform both acceleration and discharge functions through different pulse signals, rather than introducing separate components. The actuator itself serves the dual purpose of accelerating the meniscus and discharging ink, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving improved printing 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 effectively suppresses satellite or mist formation, thereby improving printing quality by ensuring that trailing portions are absorbed by the ink droplets, resulting in clearer and more precise images.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator that drives a pressure chamber, which is filled with liquid and communicates with a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The controller applies an acceleration pulse for accelerating vibration of the meniscus to the actuator
Implementation Method 3
a meniscus of the liquid is formed
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with an embodiment, a liquid discharge head comprises an actuator and a controller. The actuator drives a pressure chamber, which is filled with liquid and communicates with a nozzle in which a meniscus of the liquid is formed. The controller applies an acceleration pulse for accelerating vibration of the meniscus to the actuator after applying a discharge pulse for discharging the liquid in the pressure chamber from the nozzle.