Inkjet Printer Piezo Timing Adjustment for Density Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printers struggle to maintain stable printing density when ink temperature changes, as the fixed timing between voltage changes in the piezoelectric element is not adaptable to varying ink viscosity with temperature, leading to inconsistent ink discharge.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet printer with a temperature sensor that adjusts the timing between voltage changes applied to the piezoelectric element based on measured temperature, ensuring optimal printing density across varying ink temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the timing between voltage changes is fixed based on one-way propagation period at a certain temperature, then the actuator can efficiently decrease and increase pressure at that temperature, but printing density cannot be stabilized when ink temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the timing between voltage changes variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the timing based on detected ink temperature, allowing the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the actuator to maintain efficient pressure control across different temperatures while stabilizing printing density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter based on temperature detection. When ink temperature changes, the control unit modifies the timing between first and second voltage changes to match the altered one-way propagation period. This parameter adjustment ensures that pressure control remains efficient regardless of temperature variations, thereby stabilizing printing density across different operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the time between voltage changes is adjusted to match the one-way propagation period, then pressure change can be applied efficiently to the ink, but the system cannot adapt when ink viscosity changes with temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a temperature sensor to detect ink temperature and then adjusting the timing between voltage changes accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the timing always matches the current one-way propagation period, which is determined by the ink's viscosity at the detected temperature. This maintains efficient ink discharge across varying temperature and viscosity conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing parameter based on real-time temperature detection. By making the timing variable rather than fixed, the system adapts to changing ink viscosity caused by temperature variations, maintaining optimal pressure control and ink discharge efficiency throughout the operating temperature range.
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
The solution stabilizes printing density by dynamically adjusting the timing of voltage changes in response to temperature changes, effectively maintaining consistent ink discharge and image quality regardless of ink temperature.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator generally has a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is disposed in the vicinity of the pressure chamber. Volume of the pressure chamber changes when the piezoelectric element is deformed due to piezoelectric effects.
Implementation Method 2
An ink jet printer according to the present invention comprises a temperature sensor for measuring at least one of a temperature of ink and a surrounding temperature of the ink jet printer.
Implementation Method 3
When the ink viscosity changes, there is a change in the speed at which the pressure wave propagates through the ink. That is, its propagation speed is faster when the ink viscosity is low, and is slower when the ink viscosity is high.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printer for high quality printing comprises an ink chamber, a nozzle connected with the ink chamber, a pressure chamber located between the ink chamber and the nozzle, a piezoelectric element facing the pressure chamber, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one of a temperature of ink and a surrounding temperature of the ink jet printer, and a controller. The controller is programmed to perform a first change of voltage applied to the piezoelectric element and a second change of voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. Furthermore, the controller is programmed to change a period between the first change and the second change based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor.