Liquid Discharge Head Control Circuit Signal Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed and high-definition printing applications, the increasing number of nozzles in liquid discharge apparatuses requires faster propagation of control signals such as clock, print data, and latch signals, while minimizing waveform distortion in these signals.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head control circuit that includes a driving signal selection circuit, a restoration circuit, and a conversion circuit, which converts base control signals into differential signals and outputs driving signals, with specific wiring arrangements to reduce signal distortion and enhance signal propagation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve higher speed and higher definition printing, then the printing capability is improved, but the waveform distortion of control signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
A restoration circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the differential signal transmission lines and the driving signal selection circuit. This restoration circuit restores the differential control signals to single-ended signals, acting as a mediator that isolates the impact of signal propagation distortion on the driving elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between increased nozzle count and waveform distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The control signal transmission path is segmented into distinct functional sections: differential signal transmission lines for high-speed data transfer, a restoration circuit for signal conditioning, and driving signal selection circuits for local control. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, enabling increased nozzle count while maintaining signal integrity through specialized handling in each segment
2Speed
If the propagation speed of control signals is increased to support more nozzles, then the printing speed is improved, but the waveform distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restoration circuit serves as a mediator that receives high-speed differential signals and restores them to proper voltage levels before further processing. This intermediary restoration step allows the system to maintain high signal propagation speeds while correcting waveform distortion that occurs during fast transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional single-ended signal transmission with differential signal transmission for control signals. This substitution enables higher propagation speeds with reduced distortion by using the differential pair's inherent noise rejection and signal integrity properties, resolving the trade-off between speed and waveform quality
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
The solution effectively reduces waveform distortion and enhances the propagation speed of control signals, ensuring accurate and efficient ink discharge in high-speed and high-definition printing applications.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is used for an ink jet printer that prints an image or a document by discharging an ink
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head control circuit includes a first wiring for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to a driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to a restoration circuit, a third wiring for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring for propagating one signal of a pair of first differential signals, and a fifth wiring for propagating the other signal of a pair of first differential signals. The fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged side by side. The fourth wiring and the second wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth wiring and the third wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are located between the second wiring and the third wiring.