Liquid Droplet Jetting Apparatus Multi-Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet jetting apparatuses face complexity and increased costs when attempting to increase the number of droplet types for high-quality image representation, as they require more advanced ASICs and memory, leading to a need for a simpler electrical structure that can handle multiple jetting modes efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet jetting apparatus with a first and second jetting mode memory, along with a time-sequence information memory, allows for the selection of multiple droplet types from a single nozzle by referencing previous and subsequent jetting modes, reducing data processing complexity and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of liquid droplet types is increased to represent more gradations, then image quality is improved, but data processing complexity and hardware cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the jetting modes into two categories: first jetting modes stored in first jetting mode memory, and second jetting modes stored in second jetting mode memory. The time-sequence information memory stores only the first jetting modes in temporal order, while the jetting mode selector combines this time-sequence information with currently stored second jetting modes to generate the full set of jetting modes. This segmentation reduces the data storage burden and processing complexity while maintaining the ability to select from multiple droplet types for high-quality imaging.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of liquid droplet types is increased to represent more gradations, then image quality is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing jetting mode memory and selector circuitry multi-functional by enabling it to store and select from a larger number of jetting modes than originally designed. The second jetting mode memory and jetting mode selector are configured to work with the first jetting mode time-sequence information to generate an expanded set of jetting modes. This multi-functionality allows the hardware to achieve higher image quality with more droplet types without requiring a complete hardware redesign, thus controlling manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of jetting modes is increased, then gradation representation is improved, but memory storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to the storage architecture by organizing first jetting modes in time-sequence order in the time-sequence information memory, rather than storing all jetting modes simultaneously. The jetting mode selector then combines this temporal sequence with the currently stored second jetting modes to generate the expanded set of jetting modes on-demand. This dimensional change in data organization allows the system to handle more jetting modes without proportionally increasing total memory storage requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A data generating circuit incorporated in an ASIC includes a first jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of first jetting modes, a time-sequence information memory circuit which stores time-sequence information of a jetting mode which associates one of the plurality of first jetting modes, for each jetting timing of the nozzle, a second jetting mode memory circuit which stores information related to a plurality of second jetting modes, which are more than types of the plurality of first jetting modes, and a jetting mode selecting circuit which selects a jetting mode at an arbitrary jetting timing among the plurality of second jetting modes, based on the first jetting modes at the arbitrary jetting timing and at least one of the previous and subsequent jetting timings.