Inkjet Print Head Waveform Trimming for Drop Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet print head modules face challenges in achieving uniformity of ink drop volume and velocity due to manufacturing variations, ink characteristics, and operational conditions, leading to inconsistent ink spots on the substrate.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that generates and applies trimmed jetting waveforms to inkjets, using a common basic waveform with adjustable trimming amounts to control the magnitude of the voltage waveform for each inkjet, allowing for independent regulation of ink drop volume and velocity, thereby improving jetting uniformity across multiple inkjets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common basic jetting waveform is applied to all inkjets, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of ink drop volume and velocity deteriorates due to manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each inkjet to have its own trimmed jetting waveform with customized trimming amounts, enabling individual compensation for manufacturing variations in each inkjet while maintaining a common basic waveform structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the jetting waveform by introducing trimming amounts that adjust the magnitude of the waveform for each inkjet, transforming a single common waveform into multiple customized waveforms to compensate for manufacturing variations
2Manufacturing precision
If individual trimmed waveforms are generated for each inkjet, then the manufacturing precision of ink drop characteristics is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing trimming amounts for each inkjet based on their individual characteristics, so that when a common basic waveform is applied, each inkjet automatically receives the appropriate trimming to achieve uniform ink drop characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by using a single common basic jetting waveform that serves all inkjets, while incorporating individual trimming amounts to accommodate variations, thus making one waveform design serve multiple purposes across different inkjets
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 enhances the uniformity of inkjetting by allowing precise control of ink drop volume and velocity, resulting in consistent ink spots of the same size and shape, even across different inkjets and over time, despite manufacturing and operational variations.
Implementation Method 1
The circuitry applies the formed jetting waveforms to piezoelectric actuators of the respective inkjets
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, an inkjet print head module includes inkjets from which ink drops are to be jetted during a series of jetting cycles. There is circuitry on the inkjet print head module to (a) form, from trimming information or other information that characterizes jetting waveforms to be applied to respective inkjets in respective jetting cycles, corresponding jetting waveforms and (b) apply the formed jetting waveforms to the respective inkjets in the respective jetting cycles.