Liquid Discharge Apparatus Heat Management via Transistor Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharge apparatuses with multiple head units, the simultaneous generation of drive signals leads to excessive heat production, causing inaccurate operations and potential defects such as low image quality or failure of drive signal generation circuits due to concentrated heat on the circuit substrate.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus is designed with a configuration where the distance between high-heat-producing transistors is increased, dispersing heat across the circuit substrate, and using modulators, amplifiers, and smoothers to generate and smooth drive signals, with specific frequency ranges for the modulated signals to reduce switching loss and heat concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple drive signal generation circuits are provided to drive multiple head units, then printing speed and resolution are improved, but heat concentration on the circuit substrate causes defective conditions and image quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit substrate is divided into multiple regions, with drive signal generation circuits distributed across different areas. This spatial segmentation prevents heat concentration in a single location, allowing multiple head units to be driven simultaneously without excessive heat buildup in one spot.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the circuit substrate are designed with different thermal characteristics. High-heat-generating circuits are positioned in regions with better heat dissipation properties, while low-heat circuits are placed in regions with less stringent thermal requirements. This local optimization of thermal management allows efficient operation of multiple head units.
2Speed
If multiple drive signal generation circuits operate simultaneously, then increased printing speed is achieved, but heat-induced inaccuracies in drive signal generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal generation function is segmented across multiple spatially distributed circuits on the circuit substrate. This segmentation prevents thermal interference between circuits, ensuring that each circuit maintains accurate signal generation despite simultaneous operation of multiple head units.
3Area of stationary object
If drive signal generation circuits are placed close together to reduce substrate size, then device compactness is improved, but heat concentration causes circuit failure and quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of merely increasing spacing between circuits in a linear fashion, the layout utilizes two-dimensional distribution patterns on the substrate. Circuits are arranged in a dispersed matrix pattern that optimizes both space utilization and thermal management, maintaining compactness while preventing heat concentration.
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 configuration effectively reduces the risk of heat-induced defects by dispersing heat and optimizing signal generation, leading to improved reproducibility and reduced power consumption, thus preventing substrate overheating and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Amount of heat that the first transistor produces when generating the first amplified signal is larger than amount of heat that the second transistor produces when generating the second amplified signal
Implementation Method 2
the first smoother that generates the first drive signal by smoothing the first amplified signal
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head that is driven by drive signals and that is capable of discharging a liquid, a circuit substrate, and generators that are provided on the circuit substrate and that generate the drive signals. The generators include a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, and a fourth transistor. Distance between the first transistor and the third transistor is longer than at least one of distance between the first transistor and the second transistor and distance between the first transistor and the fourth transistor.