Liquid Discharge Drive Pulse Waveform Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge methods using piezoelectric elements are not compatible with rectangular wave-shaped drive pulses, and require adaptable drive pulses to accommodate varying recording conditions such as discharge amount, rate, and dot coverage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge method and apparatus that apply a drive pulse with multiple potentials, where the time of a second potential varies based on acquired recording conditions, allowing for flexible discharge characteristics by adjusting the waveform of the drive pulse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a rectangular wave-shaped drive pulse is applied to a heat generating element, then the drive signal structure is simple, but it is not compatible with piezoelectric elements which require different pulse characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The drive pulse waveform is made dynamically adjustable with multiple potential levels (first, second, and third potentials) where the time of the second potential varies depending on recording conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows the same basic pulse structure to be optimized for different piezoelectric element requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temporal parameters of the drive pulse by varying the time of the second potential based on recording conditions such as discharge amount, discharge rate, and coverage. This parameter adjustment enables compatibility with piezoelectric elements while preserving the overall rectangular wave structure's manufacturing advantages.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed drive pulse waveform is used, then the device operation is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying recording conditions such as discharge amount, rate, and coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The drive pulse transitions from a fixed waveform to a dynamically adjustable one where the time of the second potential varies according to recording conditions. This allows the system to automatically adapt to different discharge amounts, rates, and coverage requirements while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive pulse structure is designed to serve multiple functions by incorporating variable time for the second potential, enabling it to accommodate various recording conditions (discharge amount, rate, coverage) within a single unified pulse framework, thus achieving multi-functionality without complicating operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drive pulse time parameters are varied to achieve different discharge characteristics, then the adaptability to recording conditions improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive pulse is segmented into distinct potential levels (first, second, and third potentials) with the time of the second potential being the variable parameter. This segmentation allows for controlled adaptability where only one specific time parameter is adjusted based on recording conditions, rather than complexizing the entire waveform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying the entire drive pulse waveform, only the local parameter of the second potential's time is adjusted according to recording conditions. This localized adjustment achieves the necessary adaptability for different discharge characteristics while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 quality of dots formed on a recording medium by adapting the drive pulse to specific 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
Data Source
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 recording condition, and a driving step of applying the drive pulse to the drive element. The drive pulse includes 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 is to be applied after the first potential, and the third potential is to be applied after the second potential. In the liquid discharge method, in the driving step, the drive pulse in which a time of the second potential varies depending on the recording condition acquired in the acquisition step is applied to the drive element.