Inkjet Head Signal Separation via Low-Frequency Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing apparatuses experience unnecessary increases in power consumption due to higher sampling frequencies than required for separating driving waveform signals, leading to inefficiencies in inkjet head operation.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that generates a time division multiplex signal with specific portions of different driving waveforms and separates these signals using a sampling frequency less than the resonance frequency at the nozzle, allowing for efficient power management by aligning signal portions and transmitting data via a single signal line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high sampling frequency is used to separate driving waveform signals, then signal separation accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using a sampling frequency that is intentionally set lower than the resonance frequency of the nozzle. The time division multiplex signal is sampled at discrete periodic intervals that are sufficient to capture the essential waveform characteristics for separation, without requiring continuous high-frequency sampling. This periodic sampling approach maintains signal separation accuracy while significantly reducing power consumption compared to high-frequency continuous sampling.
2Reliability
If multiple driving waveform signals are transmitted separately, then signal integrity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple driving waveform signals into a single time division multiplex signal that is transmitted through one signal line. Each driving waveform signal is allocated a specific time slot within the multiplexed signal, allowing multiple signals to share the same transmission medium without interference. This combining approach reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate signal lines while maintaining signal integrity through temporal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the time domain into distinct slots for different driving waveform signals. The separator unit segments the received time division multiplex signal by identifying and extracting each driving waveform signal based on its assigned time slot. This temporal segmentation allows multiple signals to be transmitted over a single line while maintaining their individual integrity through precise time-based separation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a head including: a nozzle plate having a nozzle; a signal generator configured to generate, based on first and second data representing first and second driving waveforms, time division multiplex signal including first and second portions of the first driving waveform, third and fourth portions of the second driving waveform; and separator configured to separate first or second driving waveform signal representing the first or second driving waveform from the time division multiplex signal by performing a sampling. The separator is configured to perform the sampling with a sampling frequency less than a resonance frequency at the nozzle. The energy generating element is configured to be driven by the first or second driving waveform signal separated by the separator.