Inkjet Nozzle Driving Waveform Multiplexing for Reduced Waiting Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
In inkjet printing, the existing systems generate continuous driving pulses for all nozzles during a cycle, leading to significant waiting time for nozzles that are not selected, which reduces printing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that generates a time division multiplex signal based on multiple driving waveforms, allowing for the separation and application of specific driving waveform signals to energy generating elements, thereby adjusting the waveform shape and reducing waiting time by eliminating unused waveform cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous driving pulses are generated for all nozzles during one cycle, then the printing system can maintain readiness for all nozzles, but the waiting time for non-selected nozzles increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by generating driving pulses only when needed rather than continuously. The signal generator creates driving pulses on-demand based on which nozzles are actually selected for discharge, eliminating continuous periodic generation for all nozzles and reducing waiting time for non-selected nozzles while maintaining readiness when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the driving pulse generation based on real-time selection of nozzles. The signal generator and separator work together to provide driving pulses only to selected nozzles at specific moments, making the system adaptive rather than static, thereby reducing unnecessary waiting time while maintaining operational reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple driving waveforms are generated simultaneously for all nozzles, then all nozzles can be driven with appropriate waveforms, but the system complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary driving waveform signals from the multiplexed signal. The separator component selectively extracts driving pulse signals for currently selected nozzles from the time-division multiplexed signal, rather than generating and maintaining all possible driving waveforms simultaneously. This reduces system complexity while preserving the ability to provide appropriate waveforms when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-division multiplexed signal serves multiple functions: it contains driving waveform information for all nozzles in a single signal structure, and the separator can extract any required waveform on-demand. This universal signal approach reduces the need for separate signal generation paths for each nozzle, simplifying the overall system while maintaining versatility.
3Manufacturing precision
If driving pulses are generated for all nozzles in each cycle, then complete coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary pulse generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by generating driving pulses only for the subset of nozzles that are actually selected for discharge in each cycle, rather than generating pulses for all nozzles. The signal generator and separator work together to provide exactly the right amount of driving signal needed for current printing requirements, reducing power consumption while ensuring complete coverage of selected nozzles.
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 reduces nozzle waiting time by optimizing the waveform application, enhancing printing efficiency and potentially reducing noise and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle configured to discharge a liquid by an energy generating element
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a printing apparatus including: a nozzle configured to discharge a liquid by an energy generating element; a selector configured to select, based on a print job, a driving waveform corresponding to a printing method indicated by the print job, from a plurality of driving waveforms different from each other; a signal generator configured to generate a time division multiplex signal, based on data indicating the driving waveform selected by the selector; and a separator configured to separate a driving waveform signal indicating the driving waveform selected by the selector from the time division multiplex signal generated by the signal generator. The energy generating element is configured to be driven by the driving waveform signal separated by the separator.