Inkjet Head Meniscus Vibration Control for Droplet Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet image forming apparatuses face issues with ink droplet ejection during non-printing states, leading to potential staining and degraded image quality due to increased viscosity and nozzle clogging, especially with highly volatile solvents.
Innovation Solution
An additional pulse with a period matching the rising phase of the basic pulse is generated before or after the basic pulse in the non-printing state to vibrate the meniscus without ejecting ink droplets, using a drive circuit to control the piezoelectric element's voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a basic pulse is generated to vibrate the meniscus in the non-printing state, then ink fluidity is maintained, but ink droplets may be ejected from the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic voltage pulses to the piezoelectric element to vibrate the meniscus. By controlling the pulse width to be shorter than the ink's natural vibration period, the system achieves periodic stimulation that maintains ink fluidity without allowing sufficient time for droplet ejection to occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the voltage application timing and duration based on the ink's vibration characteristics. The pulse width is specifically controlled to match the rising phase of the ink's natural vibration, creating a dynamic response that prevents droplet formation while maintaining fluidity.
2Reliability
If the voltage pulse width is increased to ensure meniscus vibration, then ink fluidity is improved, but the risk of ink droplet ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the voltage pulse width parameter to be shorter than the ink's natural vibration period. This parameter optimization ensures that the meniscus receives sufficient vibration to maintain fluidity while the pulse duration remains too short to allow ink droplets to be ejected and cause staining.
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 method effectively prevents ink droplet ejection during non-printing states, maintaining ink fluidity and ensuring high-quality printing by gently vibrating the meniscus without causing ink to be ejected from the nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element 9 which deforms when a drive voltage is applied thereto
Implementation Method 2
The natural vibration period of the volume velocity of the ink in each of the above-mentioned sections is determined by the dimensions of each section, the physical properties of the ink, and the dimensions and physical properties of the driving unit D
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method for use in an inkjet head includes a pressure chamber filled with ink, a nozzle which communicates with the pressure chamber and in which a meniscus of the ink is formed, a piezoelectric element which pressurizes the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit which performs an operation of ejecting the ink in a printing state and generates a basic pulse for vibrating the meniscus in a non-printing state. The basic pulse is generated by turning off a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element for substantially the same period as a natural vibration period of the ink. An additional pulse is generated at least once before or after the basic pulse when the basic pulse is generated by the drive circuit in the non-printing state. The additional pulse is generated by turning off the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element.