Configurable Inkjet Printhead Shift Registers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet heater chip designs have fixed clock rates and input/output (I/O) pads, limiting their adaptability to various applications and markets, as they cannot be user-selectable to optimize data transfer rates and input configurations for different printer types.
Innovation Solution
A configurable inkjet printhead architecture that allows for adjustable shift registers and switchable I/O inputs, enabling user-selectable clock speed and number of I/O pads, which can combine shift registers to form larger ones and use fuse circuits to temporarily or permanently alter input configurations, optimizing data transfer for multiple applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the number of data input pads is reduced, then the device complexity is reduced, but the clock rate must be increased to transfer the same amount of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability of the heater chip architecture, allowing the number of data input pads and clock rate to be adjusted based on application requirements. This is achieved through programmable logic that can reconfigure the data path width and corresponding clock frequency, enabling the system to adapt between using fewer pads at higher speeds or more pads at lower speeds depending on the specific use case.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows changing key parameters such as the number of data input pads and clock rate dynamically. The heater chip can be configured to operate with different numbers of input pads (e.g., 1, 2, 4, or 8 pads) with corresponding clock rates adjusted to maintain the same data throughput, providing flexibility to optimize for either reduced complexity or lower speed requirements.
2Productivity
If the clock rate is increased to compensate for fewer inputs, then the data transfer rate is maintained, but the reliability of data transmission deteriorates due to resistive and capacitive limitations of the ribbon cable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operating parameters based on the physical connection characteristics. When a ribbon cable is detected or specified, the system can lower the clock rate and increase the number of data input pads to maintain reliable transmission. Conversely, when direct digital ASIC connections are used with minimized cable distance, the system can operate at higher clock rates with fewer pads, optimizing for speed while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables changing operational parameters such as clock rate and number of input pads based on transmission medium characteristics. The system can be configured to use lower clock rates with more pads when transmission distance and cable quality are concerns, or higher clock rates with fewer pads when direct connections are available, thus adapting to maintain both productivity and reliability.
3Productivity
If multiple printheads are used in a staggered configuration to achieve necessary print speeds, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring a local digital ASIC capable of driving multiple heads
Solution Approach 1:
The heater chip is designed with universal functionality to operate in multiple configurations - it can be used in single printhead applications with various numbers of input pads and can also be extended to multi-printhead staggered configurations. The programmable logic allows the same basic chip design to adapt to different numbers of active heating elements and address cycles, reducing the need for completely different ASIC designs for multi-head systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the heating elements into groups that can be independently addressed through multiple address cycles. This allows the system to efficiently control multiple printheads by time-multiplexing the address signals, where different groups of heating elements are activated in sequence during different address cycles, thereby supporting multi-head configurations without requiring proportionally increased ASIC complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of inputs is increased to support more heating elements, then the adaptability to different applications is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heater chip incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows the number of active input pads to be changed based on the application. The programmable logic can enable or disable specific input pads and reconfigure the data path width, allowing the same physical chip to operate with 1, 2, 4, or 8 input pads depending on whether it's used in a consumer printer, OEM printer, or multi-head plotter configuration, thus providing high adaptability without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal heater chip design that can serve multiple application types through software-configurable parameters. The same hardware platform can be adapted to consumer printers with fewer inputs, OEM applications with moderate inputs, or multi-printhead plotters with more inputs, all by reconfiguring the operational parameters rather than requiring different hardware designs for each application class.
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 solution enables a single printhead design to fit various applications by allowing customizable data rates and input configurations, enhancing performance and cost-effectiveness across different printer types, from consumer printers to large format plotters.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid ejector chip comprising a first number of heating elements
Data Source
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AI summary
A printhead (10) including a fluid ejector chip having an electrical interface. The electrical interface includes one or more inputs for receiving respective primitive address data and heater address data corresponding to each of one or more address cycles, at least one of the one or more inputs being switchable to a deactivated state, and one or more shift registers, a total number of shift registers being adjustable so that each of the one or more shift registers corresponds to a respective one of the one or more inputs that is not in a deactivated state, the one or more shift registers receiving the respective primitive address data and heater address data from the one or more inputs that are not in a deactivated state to allow for selective application of electrical signals to the heating elements so that fluid is ejected from the fluid ejector chip in accordance with image data.