Inkjet Nozzle Excitation Voltage Tuning by Droplet Charge Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording devices require skilled visual observation and manual adjustment of excitation voltage values for piezoelectric elements to achieve optimal ink droplet formation, leading to individual differences and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet recording device and method that automatically determines the excitation voltage value by sweeping from high to low voltage, using a control section to measure charge amounts and set the voltage based on the reversal of printing phase changes, eliminating the need for manual skill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual visual observation and adjustment method is used to determine excitation voltage value, then print quality can be optimized, but individual differences and skill dependency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual observation and mechanical adjustment system with an automated electronic measurement and control system. The charge amount sensor automatically measures ink droplet charge amounts, and the control section processes this data to determine the optimal excitation voltage value, eliminating human visual judgment and manual adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-determination of the optimal excitation voltage value through automated measurement and calculation. The control section uses the measured charge amounts to automatically identify the peak value and determine the corresponding excitation voltage, allowing the device to self-optimize without external human intervention or skill-dependent judgment.
2Measurement precision
If repeated test printing is performed to determine optimal excitation voltage, then accurate determination can be achieved, but time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces repeated mechanical test printing operations with a single automated measurement process. The charge amount sensor quickly measures the charge amount of ink droplets at different excitation voltage values, and the control section automatically identifies the optimal value through data processing, eliminating the need for multiple test printing cycles and manual evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the charge amount sensor as an intermediary measurement device that provides quantitative data about ink droplet formation quality. This intermediary measurement system allows the control section to accurately determine the optimal excitation voltage value without requiring repeated test printing and subjective visual evaluation, significantly reducing the time and iterations needed for optimization.
3Manufacturing precision
If excitation voltage value is manually adjusted based on temperature characteristics, then ink droplet formation can be optimized, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically compensates for temperature variations and determines the optimal excitation voltage value through self-measurement and self-calculation. The control section uses the charge amount sensor data to identify the peak charge amount corresponding to the optimal excitation voltage, eliminating the need for operators to manually consult temperature characteristics or perform complex adjustments based on environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual operation of consulting temperature charts and adjusting voltage values with an automated electronic system. The control section automatically processes the charge amount measurements, identifies the optimal excitation voltage value regardless of temperature conditions, and configures the piezoelectric element accordingly, simplifying the operator's task to merely initiating the automated process.
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
Automatically sets the optimal excitation voltage value for ink droplet formation, ensuring consistent print quality without reliance on human skill or visual judgment.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element provided in an ink nozzle is driven by a predetermined excitation voltage value to eject ink from the ink nozzle as ink droplets
Implementation Method 2
a charging electrode which charges the ejected ink droplets
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording device automatically determines an excitation voltage of a piezoelectric element for formation of ink droplets. An excitation voltage value is applied to the piezoelectric element of a nozzle over a plurality of sweeping events. A charge voltage is applied to ink droplets generated by the applied excitation voltage value in a plurality of arbitrary printing phases to give an electric charge thereto. A charge amount given to the ink droplets is detected by a sensor to obtain a printing phase. When the relationship of a current printing phase to a previous printing phase detected for each sweeping event is reversed from an increasing side to a decreasing side and two decrease determinations of the printing phase are established in succession, an excitation voltage value corresponding to the printing phase of the sweeping event immediately before the first decrease determination is set as a final excitation voltage value.