Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Circuit Miniaturization via Signal Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face challenges in miniaturizing the circuit scale due to the need to restore LVDS differential signals to single-ended signals, which increases the complexity and size of the head unit.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a drive signal output circuit, a control signal output circuit, a differential signal output circuit, and a residual vibration signal input circuit, with a specific configuration that allows for the conversion of original control signals into differential signals and the output of drive signals to a piezoelectric element, reducing the circuit size by optimizing the arrangement of components and signal pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If LVDS differential signal restoration circuit is added to the head unit, then data transfer speed is improved, but circuit scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LVDS differential signal restoration function from the head unit and relocates it to the main body unit. The head unit now only receives differential signals and outputs single-ended signals directly, while the main body unit performs the complex restoration processing. This extraction reduces the circuit scale in the head unit while maintaining high-speed data transfer capability through the differential signaling architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of nozzles is increased to improve printing accuracy, then printing accuracy is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into a main body unit and a head unit with clear functional divisions. The main body unit handles complex signal processing and control logic, while the head unit focuses on signal reception and piezoelectric element control. This segmentation allows for increased nozzle count and printing accuracy without proportionally increasing overall circuit complexity, as the complex functions are centralized in the main body unit.
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 enables efficient data transfer and miniaturization of the circuit, allowing for higher nozzle density and improved printing accuracy with reduced signal delay, enhancing the overall performance of the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector that is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit, includes a piezoelectric element driven based on the second drive signal, and ejects a liquid from nozzles by driving the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An liquid ejecting apparatus includes a drive signal output circuit, a control signal output circuit, a differential signal output circuit, a residual vibration signal input circuit, and a head unit, in which the head unit includes an integrated circuit and an ejector, and the integrated circuit includes a drive signal input terminal that inputs a first drive signal, a residual vibration signal output terminal that outputs a residual vibration signal, a differential signal receiving circuit that converts a pair of differential signals into a control signal and outputs the control signal, a drive signal selection circuit that outputs a second drive signal based on the control signal and the first drive signal, a drive signal output terminal that outputs the second drive signal to the ejector, and a residual vibration signal output circuit that outputs a residual vibration signal based on the residual vibration generated by driving the piezoelectric element.