Liquid Discharge Apparatus Residual Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed printing in liquid discharge apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, reduces the detection period for residual vibration, leading to decreased accuracy in determining the discharge state of liquid, as the shortened period limits the information available for characterizing residual vibration.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a detection unit that outputs two detection signals based on changes in the drive signal potential, allowing for a longer effective detection period and improved accuracy in determining the discharge state by analyzing residual vibration characteristics across multiple signal periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the print speed is increased, then the productivity is improved, but the detection period for residual vibration is shortened, leading to decreased measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal is divided into multiple periods with different potential levels (first potential period and second potential period). By segmenting the detection into multiple phases, the system accumulates sufficient vibration information even when the total detection time is reduced due to high print speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive signal operates periodically with alternating potential levels. Each period provides detection opportunities, and by utilizing multiple periodic cycles with different potentials, the system ensures adequate information gathering for accurate discharge state determination despite reduced overall detection time.
2Productivity
If the detection period is shortened, then the productivity is improved, but the amount of information for characterizing residual vibration is reduced, leading to decreased reliability in discharge state determination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on time duration for detection, the system introduces an additional dimension by using multiple potential levels. This allows the accumulation of diverse vibration characteristics (different amplitudes, phases, or patterns at different potentials) within a compressed time frame, maintaining reliability through multi-dimensional information gathering.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the potential parameter of the drive signal across different periods. By detecting residual vibration at multiple potential levels, the system obtains more comprehensive vibration characteristics, ensuring reliable discharge state determination even when the detection period is shortened due to high-speed printing requirements.
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 enhances the accuracy of discharge state determination even at high print speeds by increasing the duration for detecting residual vibration and providing more information about its characteristics, thus preventing a decrease in image quality.
Implementation Method 1
driving a piezoelectric element provided in a discharge unit using a drive signal, and displacing the piezoelectric element so as to discharge liquid such as ink filling the cavity (a pressure chamber) of the discharge unit
Implementation Method 2
detecting residual vibration occurring in a discharge unit after a piezoelectric element is driven in response to a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge unit including a piezoelectric element that is displaced in response to a drive signal, a pressure chamber of which an inner pressure is increased or decreased by the piezoelectric element, and a nozzle which is in communication with the pressure chamber and discharges liquid filling the pressure chamber, depending on an increase or a decrease in the inner pressure of the pressure chamber, a detection unit that detects residual vibration occurring in the discharge unit according to a potential change of the drive signal that is supplied to the piezoelectric element, and a determination unit that determines a discharge state, in which the detection unit outputs a first detection signal and a second detection signal, and the determination unit determines the discharge state, based on the first detection signal and the second detection signal.