Ink-Jet Head Power Circuit Reassignment After Nozzle Drive Faults

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording element control circuits for ink-jet heads do not account for power source faults, which can lead to disruptions in the continuous operation of actuators like nozzles.

Innovation Solution

A control circuit and method that allocates identifiers and voltages for nozzles across multiple power circuits, allowing for continuous operation even when power source faults occur, by redistributing the load to functional power circuits with similar voltages and minimizing the impact of faulty ones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single power source is used for each nozzle, then the control circuit is simple and easy to manufacture, but the system reliability deteriorates when power source faults occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidpower circuit configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit is divided into multiple independent power circuits (first power circuit and second power circuit), each capable of supplying voltage to nozzles. This segmentation allows the system to continue operating with a subset of power circuits when one fails, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete system redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each power circuit is designed to be universal in its capability to drive nozzles, meaning any power circuit can supply voltage to any nozzle. This multi-functionality enables dynamic reconfiguration where nozzles can be reassigned to different power circuits based on operational status, ensuring continuous operation despite power source faults.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple power circuits are configured for redundancy, then the system reliability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidcontrol circuit fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing different voltage levels (first voltage and second voltage) from different power circuits to match the specific requirements of different nozzles. Each nozzle can receive appropriate voltage from the most suitable power circuit, optimizing performance while maintaining simplicity in the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuit incorporates dynamic switching capability that allows real-time reconfiguration of power circuit to nozzle assignments based on operational status. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to respond to power source faults automatically without requiring complex manual reconfiguration or redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If power circuits are dynamically reconfigured, then continuous operation is maintained, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous printing capabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuit pre-establishes multiple power circuit paths and voltage levels before operation begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to quickly switch between power circuits when faults occur without requiring complex real-time calculations or decisions, thereby maintaining productivity while limiting control complexity to predetermined switching logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures continuous driving of piezoelectric actuators in ink-jet heads by reallocating identifiers and voltages, maintaining printing operations despite power source failures.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the nozzles has a piezoelectric body and has a jetting property due to the property of the piezoelectric body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10391765B2Control circuit, ink-jet head system, and control method

Publication Date: 2019.08.27 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A control circuit includes a memory interface and a power interface. The control circuit is configured to: read out identifiers and voltage values from a memory via the memory interface, the memory storing the identifiers and the voltage values associated with the identifiers, the identifiers identifying actuators for jetting liquid, the voltage values corresponding to values of voltages to be supplied to the actuators; based on the voltage values, associate each of the identifiers with one of power circuits; detect whether failure occurs in any of the power circuits via the power interface communicated with the power circuits each changeable in output voltage; and based on detection of the failure occurring in any power circuits, associate specified identifiers with a non-failure power circuit in which the failure does not occur, the specified identifiers associated with a failure power circuit in which the failure is detected.