Inkjet Printer Waveform Control for Dot Size Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in forming high-quality dots in short driving cycles due to limitations in waveform pulses, making it difficult to achieve high-speed image recording while maintaining dot size accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The inkjet printer employs a controller that generates driving signals by selecting specific waveform elements, including ejection pulses and minute pulses, to form dots of varying sizes, with different minute pulse groups used for ejection and non-ejection, allowing for the formation of high-quality dots in a short driving cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a combination of multiple ejection pulses is used to form dots of desired sizes, then dot size accuracy is improved, but the number of ejection pulses increases making the driving signal too long for high-speed recording
Solution Approach 1:
The ejection pulse waveform is segmented into multiple independent pulse elements (first pulse element, second pulse element, third pulse element) that can be selectively combined. This segmentation allows the system to create variable dot sizes by choosing different combinations of pulse elements, achieving dot size accuracy while keeping the driving signal structure efficient and suitable for high-speed recording operations.
2Reliability
If a gentle vibration pulse is continuously applied to all channels to prevent ink clogging, then reliability is improved, but the driving signal becomes longer and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The gentle vibration pulse element is merged with the ejection pulse elements into a single integrated waveform structure. By combining the vibration function (first pulse element) with the ejection function (second and third pulse elements) into one unified driving signal, the system maintains reliability through continuous vibration while avoiding the need for separate signaling, thus reducing overall signal complexity.
3Productivity
If the driving cycle is shortened to achieve high-speed recording, then productivity is improved, but the ability to form high-quality dots of different sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The driving signal waveform is made dynamic and adaptive through selective combination of pulse elements. The system can dynamically adjust the driving signal composition based on the required dot size, choosing from different pulse element combinations (first pulse alone for small dots, first and second pulses for medium dots, all three pulses for large dots). This dynamic adaptability allows high-speed recording with maintained dot quality across varying sizes.
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 enables the formation of high-quality dots of different sizes in a short driving cycle, enhancing high-speed image recording capabilities and optimizing dot formation processes.
Implementation Method 1
ejection of droplets is accomplished by input of an ejection pulse to a piezoelectric element provided in the neighborhood of each outlet of the head
Data Source
AI summary
In an inkjet printer, for forming a large dot on a recording paper in the course of image recording, a second ejection pulse (721) and a first ejection pulse (713) are selected from a basic waveform (70), as a driving signal. For forming a medium dot, a first minute pulse (711) and the first ejection pulse (713) are selected. For forming a small dot, a third ejection pulse (722) is selected. At the time of non-ejection, a second minute pulse (712) is selected. As a result, by adjusting the waveform of the first minute pulse (711), it is possible to form high-quality dots of respective sizes while shortening a driving cycle with the use of the first ejection pulse (713) for forming a large dot and a medium dot.