Inkjet Printer Voltage Supply with Lookup Table Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal inkjet printers face issues with voltage variations due to changing nozzle loadings, leading to insufficient or excessive ink drop ejection, which affects printing quality.
Innovation Solution
A power supplying apparatus with a look-up table and adjustable voltage supply that compensates for nozzle impedances and connecting wire effects by selecting appropriate control signals based on the selected printing mode, ensuring stable voltage delivery to nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If constant voltage is supplied to nozzles, then the power supply circuit is simple, but voltage variations occur due to changing nozzle loadings, affecting printing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static constant voltage supply to a dynamic voltage supply that adjusts output based on loading conditions. The power supply circuit actively responds to changes in the number of activated nozzles by modifying the voltage level, ensuring optimal performance across varying printing modes while maintaining circuit simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by monitoring the actual voltage at the nozzle and comparing it with the target voltage. Based on this comparison and the detected loading condition (number of activated nozzles), the power supply adjusts its output to compensate for voltage drops caused by wire impedances and loading variations, thereby maintaining consistent printing quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If voltage compensation for nozzle impedances is implemented, then printing quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing impedance data for different nozzle configurations and printing modes in a lookup table. When a printing mode is selected, the corresponding impedance characteristics are immediately retrieved and used for voltage compensation, eliminating the need for complex real-time impedance calculations while achieving accurate printing quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the voltage output parameter based on the detected loading condition and stored impedance data. The power supply modifies its operating parameters (voltage level) in response to changing printing modes, ensuring optimal voltage delivery without requiring complex circuit architecture.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of activated nozzles increases, then printing coverage improves, but voltage drop increases due to parallel heater loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual voltage at the nozzle and using this information, combined with the number of activated nozzles, to determine the appropriate compensation level. The power supply continuously adjusts its output to maintain stable voltage despite varying loading conditions, ensuring consistent ink drop ejection across different printing modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the relationship between the number of activated nozzles and the required voltage compensation in a lookup table. This allows the system to immediately apply the correct compensation when a printing mode is selected, preventing voltage instability before it occurs rather than reacting to it.
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 provides stable and accurate voltages to nozzles, improving printing quality by accounting for varying nozzle loads and wire impedances, ensuring consistent ink drop ejection across different printing modes.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage impulse is provided to a heater in the nozzle so that the heater can generate heats rapidly. A small bubble is created and gradually grows up in the nozzle due to the heats.
Implementation Method 2
A small bubble is created and gradually grows up in the nozzle due to the heats. An ink drop near the output of the nozzle is then pushed out by the bubble
Implementation Method 3
After the voltage impulse is ended, the heater cools down, the bubble disappears, and the other ink in the nozzle shrinks back to the inner side of the nozzle.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supplying apparatus for a plurality of nozzles included in a thermal inkjet printer is provided. The thermal inkjet printer is capable of providing a plurality of printing modes. The power supplying apparatus includes a look-up table, a selecting module, and an adjustable voltage supply. The look-up table stores plural sets of control signals corresponding to the plurality of printing modes. The selecting module first receives a command representing that a user selects one printing mode among the plurality of printing modes as a final printing mode. The selecting module then selects one set of control signals stored in the look-up table as a set of final control signals based on the command. The adjustable voltage supply supplies at least one voltage to the plurality of nozzles based on the final control signal selected by the selecting module.