Liquid Discharge Apparatus Impedance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge apparatuses face difficulties in preventing oscillation of head drive waveform signals due to variations in load capacity, especially when the transmission path is long, making it challenging to adjust impedance and maintain stable discharge characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a transmission path comprising multiple transmission lines forming pairs, where a switching unit changes current directions to adjust inductance components, and a switching control unit manages these changes based on the load capacity of the recording head, ensuring stable impedance and reduced oscillation of the head drive waveform signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the transmission path is made long to extend the liquid discharge apparatus, then the coverage area is improved, but the impedance of the transmission path increases making it difficult to adjust and prevent signal oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resistance value adjustable rather than fixed. A switching unit changes the resistance value in front of the transmission path based on the number of discharge nozzles (load capacity), allowing the system to adapt to different configurations. This dynamic adjustment compensates for the increased impedance in longer transmission paths, maintaining signal stability while enabling extended coverage areas.
2Reliability
If the resistance value is changed in front of the transmission path to adjust impedance, then the signal oscillation is reduced, but the adjustment effect is insufficient when the transmission path is long due to large inherent impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the resistance value based on the load capacity (number of discharge nozzles). The switching unit selects from multiple resistance values (e.g., 0Ω, 10Ω, 20Ω) depending on how many nozzles are active. This dynamic parameter adjustment optimizes the impedance matching for different transmission path lengths and load conditions, effectively reducing signal oscillation across various apparatus configurations.
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 allows for effective prevention of oscillation and improvement of discharge characteristics by dynamically adjusting impedance, maintaining stable behavior of the head drive waveform signal and enhancing ink discharge speed and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The switching unit is arranged between the drive waveform generating unit and the transmission path, and is configured to change directions of electric currents in the transmission lines
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a recording head, a drive waveform generating unit, a transmission path, a switching unit, and a switching control unit. The recording head is configured to discharge liquid. The drive waveform generating unit is configured to generate a head drive waveform signal supplied to the recording head. The transmission path includes a plurality of transmission lines forming pairs and is configured to transmit the head drive waveform signal generated by the drive waveform generating unit to the recording head. the switching unit is arranged between the drive waveform generating unit and the transmission path, and is configured to change directions of electric currents in the transmission lines. The switching control unit is configured to control the switching unit in accordance with a change in a load capacity of the recording head.