Linear Regulator Voltage Adjustment for Inkjet Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejection apparatus using three-terminal regulators faces issues with heat generation and image quality deterioration due to voltage differences, where excessive heat can degrade the regulator circuit and inadequate voltage settings compromise image quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs linear regulators to adjust drive voltages based on liquid viscosity, reducing voltage differences and using different driving waveforms to manage ink ejection amounts, thereby preventing regulator deterioration and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the voltage difference between IN terminal and OUT terminal of the three-terminal regulator is increased to ensure stable output, then the stability of voltage output is improved, but heat generation increases causing circuit deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the voltage regulation function into multiple three-terminal regulators working in parallel, each handling a portion of the total current. This segmentation reduces the current burden and heat generation on each individual regulator while maintaining stable voltage output through their combined operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a voltage selection circuit as an intermediary component that selectively connects different regulator outputs based on voltage difference conditions. This mediator enables dynamic adjustment between regulators with different voltage differences, allowing the system to maintain stability while managing heat generation by switching to regulators with smaller voltage differences when appropriate.
2Temperature
If the voltage difference is limited to a certain value to prevent heat generation, then heat generation is reduced, but head driving voltages are not appropriately set causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage selection that adjusts which regulator output is used based on real-time voltage difference conditions. The voltage selection circuit dynamically switches between different regulator outputs to maintain appropriate head driving voltages while keeping voltage differences within safe limits, thereby preventing both heat-related deterioration and image quality loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the voltage regulation system by selectively utilizing regulators with different voltage difference characteristics. By adjusting which regulator is active based on voltage difference thresholds, the system optimizes both thermal performance and voltage accuracy for image quality.
3Temperature
If multiple voltage regulators are used to manage heat generation, then heat management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple identical three-terminal regulators with simple parallel configuration, avoiding complex switching circuits. Each regulator is independently connected to the input voltage source and output capacitor, creating a modular and straightforward circuit architecture that manages heat effectively without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple identical three-terminal regulators with the same specifications and characteristics. This homogeneous approach simplifies the design and analysis compared to using different types of regulators, as all components have uniform parameters and behave predictably under the same operating conditions.
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 effectively suppresses heat generation in linear regulators and ensures consistent image quality by adjusting drive voltages and using appropriate driving waveforms to manage ink ejection, even when voltage differences exceed safe limits.
Implementation Method 1
Each linear regulator is configured to reduce the main voltage output from the power supply to a drive voltage used by the actuator unit corresponding to each linear regulator
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of actuators, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of ejection openings, each actuator may be configured to eject the liquid from the ejection opening corresponding to each actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head, actuator units with actuators, a power supply that output a main voltage, and linear regulators that reduce the main voltage to drive voltages to be supplied to the relevant actuator units. When a voltage difference between the main voltage and drive voltage is greater than an allowable value for any of the actuator units, the apparatus controls a linear regulator so that the drive voltage supplied to at least one actuator unit is adjusted to a high drive voltage. A small ejection driving waveform is created as the driving waveform to be output to the actuators in the actuator unit to which the high drive voltage is supplied.