Liquid Discharge Head Drive Pulse Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge methods using piezoelectric elements are not adaptable to varying recording conditions such as discharge amount, rate, and dot coverage, requiring a drive pulse that is not compatible with the drive element.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge method that acquires the state of a dot formed on a recording medium and applies a drive pulse varying depending on the recording condition to the drive element, allowing for various discharge characteristics to be imparted to the liquid discharge head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rectangular wave-shaped drive pulse is applied to a heat generating element, then the discharge of liquid can be achieved, but the drive pulse is not compatible with piezoelectric elements and cannot adapt to varying recording conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to recording conditionsVSAvoidcompatibility with drive element

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the drive pulse waveform adjustable and adaptable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically selects and applies different drive pulse waveforms (rectangular wave for heat generating elements, triangular wave for piezoelectric elements) based on the detected recording conditions and drive element type, enabling the system to adapt to varying requirements while maintaining compatibility with different drive element technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the drive pulse waveform parameters (shape, amplitude, duration) based on recording conditions. The control unit changes the drive pulse characteristics according to the dot state detection results and drive element type, allowing the same liquid discharge head to operate effectively under different recording conditions with appropriate parameter adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If different recording conditions require different discharge characteristics, then precision can be improved, but a fixed drive pulse cannot satisfy varying requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge precisionVSAvoidadaptability to discharge conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual dot state on the recording medium and using this information to adjust subsequent drive pulse parameters. The control unit acquires the state of the dot formed by the discharged liquid and uses this feedback to determine appropriate drive pulse waveforms for achieving the required discharge characteristics, thereby improving discharge precision while maintaining adaptability to varying conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts drive pulse characteristics based on real-time recording conditions and dot state detection, enabling precise control over discharge amount, discharge rate, and dot coverage. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to meet varying precision requirements for different recording scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables the realization of various discharge characteristics, improving the precision and adaptability of the liquid discharge method to different recording conditions.

Implementation Method 1

When the drive element is a piezoelectric element, the rectangular wave-shaped drive pulse as disclosed in JP-A-5-31905 is not compatible with the drive element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11613119B2Liquid discharge method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing drive pulse determination program, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharge method of discharging a liquid from a nozzle of a liquid discharge head by applying a drive pulse to a drive element of the liquid discharge head includes an acquisition step of acquiring a state of a dot formed on a recording medium by the liquid discharged from the nozzle, as a recording condition, and a driving step of applying the drive pulse that varies depending on the recording condition acquired in the acquisition step, to the drive element. The drive pulse may include a first potential, a second potential different from the first potential, and a third potential different from the first potential and the second potential. The second potential may be to be applied after the first potential, and the third potential may be to be applied after the second potential.