Liquid Discharge Head Drive Circuit for Non-Standard Nozzle Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharge heads, the performance of nozzles at the end tends to deteriorate, leading to incorrect data transmission and printing issues when the nozzle ordering deviates from the standard sequence, causing misalignment of print data with intended nozzle rows.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge head configuration with a head drive circuit that selects between two setting modes to correctly drive actuators based on input data portions, allowing for non-standard nozzle sequencing by correlating header values with specific AND circuits to ensure accurate data output to each nozzle row, even when nozzles are deviated in arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If nozzles at the end are excluded from use to improve printing quality, then image quality is improved, but the number of usable nozzles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle row ordering flexible and changeable through control signals. The nozzle rows can be dynamically reordered (e.g., changing from standard A-B-C-D sequence to non-standard sequences like A-C-B-D) based on which nozzles are functional. This allows the system to adapt to different nozzle performance conditions without physical reconfiguration, thereby utilizing more nozzles while maintaining image quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If nozzle row ordering is changed to exclude poor-performing end nozzles, then image quality is improved, but data transmission accuracy deteriorates due to misalignment with control circuit assumptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the control circuit receive information about the actual nozzle row ordering and adjust its control signals accordingly. The control circuit can determine which nozzle rows are being used and in what sequence, then generate appropriate control signals to ensure print data is transmitted to the correct nozzles even when the physical arrangement differs from the standard configuration. This feedback mechanism maintains data transmission accuracy despite non-standard nozzle arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of nozzle row sequencing from a fixed standard order to a variable order that can be adjusted based on nozzle performance. By modifying the sequence parameter (e.g., changing from A-B-C-D to A-C-B-D) and coordinating this with corresponding changes in control signal timing and mapping, the system maintains accurate data transmission while excluding poor-performing nozzles from the printing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If print data is transmitted in standard sequence order, then data transmission is simplified, but incorrect data is supplied to nozzle rows when nonstandard sequencing is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the data transmission sequence dynamic by allowing it to change based on the actual nozzle row configuration. The control circuit can switch between different data transmission sequences (standard or non-standard) depending on which nozzles are functional and in what order they are arranged. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliable data-to-nozzle alignment while preserving the simplicity of automated data transmission through control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge head includes first and second groups of nozzles and first and second groups of actuators corresponding to the first and second groups of nozzles, respectively, and a head drive circuit. The head drive circuit is configured to receive a sequence of input data portions including first and second data portions, and select a setting mode between a first setting mode, in which the first group of actuators is driven based on the first input data portion and the second group of actuators is driven based on the second input data portion, and a second setting mode, in which the second group of actuators is driven based on the first input data portion and the first group of actuators is driven based on an input data portion that is after the first data portion in the sequence.