Liquid Discharging Apparatus Head Control Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharging apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face delays in control signal generation due to the need for optical signal conversion between the main body and the print head, which affects control speed.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus with a head control unit that converts image signals into electric signals without relying on discharge information, and a head unit that converts optical signals into discharge control signals using discharge information, enabling faster signal processing and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical signal conversion is performed between main body and print head, then signal transmission is achieved, but control speed deteriorates due to conversion time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal conversion functions into two parts: (1) image signal to electric signal conversion performed in the main body before optical transmission, and (2) electric signal to discharge control signal conversion performed in the print head using discharge information. This segmentation allows the time-consuming discharge information processing to be avoided in the main body, improving control speed while maintaining reliable signal transmission through optical communication.
2Reliability
If discharge information processing is performed in main body before optical conversion, then complete control signals are generated, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions in the main body by converting image signals to electric signals and transmitting them optically before the print head receives discharge information. The discharge information processing is then performed as a preliminary action in the print head itself, allowing the main body to avoid time-consuming processing while ensuring complete control signals are generated through the sequential preliminary actions in both locations.
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 solution reduces the time required to generate discharge control signals, thereby improving the control speed of the liquid discharging apparatus by separating signal conversion processes and utilizing discharge information only where necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a first photoelectric conversion circuit that converts the first electric signal into an optical signal
Implementation Method 2
a second photoelectric conversion circuit that converts the optical signal into a second electric signal
Data Source
AI summary
In a liquid discharging apparatus, a head control unit, which controls an operation of a head unit, includes a first conversion circuit that converts an image signal input from an outside into a first electric signal, a first photoelectric conversion circuit that converts the first electric signal into an optical signal, the head unit, which discharges a liquid, includes a second photoelectric conversion circuit that converts the optical signal into a second electric signal, a second conversion circuit that converts the second electric signal into a discharge control signal for controlling discharge of a liquid. The first conversion circuit performs a first conversion process of converting the image signal into the first electric signal without depending on a discharge information, and the second conversion circuit performs a second conversion process of converting the second electric signal into the discharge control signal by using the discharge information.