Inkjet Recording Head Voltage Control for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet recording technologies face challenges in maintaining stable ink ejection performance due to temperature variations in the recording head, leading to inconsistent image quality as the temperature affects ink viscosity and ejection volume.
Innovation Solution
A recording apparatus that includes a temperature detection unit and a voltage control system to modulate the output voltage of the DC/DC converter based on the recording head's temperature, allowing for precise adjustment of ink ejection energy by simultaneously controlling the driving pulse and voltage, thereby stabilizing ink ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the recording head operates continuously without voltage adjustment, then productivity is maintained, but temperature rises causing ink ejection instability and image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the voltage supplied to the recording head based on detected temperature changes. When temperature rises, the voltage is reduced to prevent excessive ink ejection; when temperature is low, voltage is increased to ensure sufficient ejection energy. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting power delivery to thermal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a temperature detection unit that continuously monitors recording head temperature and feeds this information back to the voltage control unit. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time compensation for temperature-induced variations in ink viscosity and ejection characteristics, maintaining stable image quality despite continuous operation.
2Power
If voltage is increased to compensate for temperature rise, then ink ejection energy is sufficient, but ink droplet size becomes inconsistent and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than simply increasing voltage to compensate for temperature rise, the patent implements precise voltage modulation based on actual temperature measurements. The voltage control unit adjusts voltage to an optimal level that provides sufficient ejection energy while preventing over-ejection, thereby maintaining consistent ink droplet sizes and image quality across varying thermal conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of heaters energized varies with image data, then adaptability to different image content is achieved, but voltage variations cause unstable ink ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature detection and voltage control system provides continuous feedback compensation that counteracts voltage variations caused by varying heater loads. Regardless of whether few or many heaters are energized based on image data requirements, the system monitors temperature and adjusts voltage accordingly, ensuring stable ink ejection characteristics across all duty ratios and image content types.
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 ensures consistent ink ejection and improved image quality by accurately adjusting ink ejection energy in response to temperature changes, reducing variations in ink droplet size and maintaining stable image formation across different printing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the recording head
Implementation Method 2
a DC/DC converter that supplies power to the recording head; a voltage control unit that controls an output voltage of the DC/DC converter
Implementation Method 3
A recording head that ejects ink by boiling of ink supplies ejection energy by boiling ink adjacent to a heater in the vicinity of an ink path adjacent to an ink nozzle by energization of the heater
Implementation Method 4
the momentary surface boiling of ink
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus for performing recording by scanning a recording head includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire temperature information of the recording head, a generation unit configured to generate a signal that indicates outputting of an output voltage based on the temperature information, a voltage control unit configured to control a voltage to be output to the recording head based on the signal, and a control unit configured to simultaneously perform preliminary ejection processing in an interval between a previous scan and a next scan of the recording head and output processing of the signal.