Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Driving Signal Reference Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting techniques, such as those described in JP-A-2003-251807, face restrictions in selecting ejection waveforms due to the requirement for a ground electric potential and limitations in pressure chamber pressure variation, leading to difficulties in designing desired ejection characteristics and increased electric potential differences in driving signals.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus with nozzles, a pressure chamber, and a pressure generating element, utilizing a driving signal with first and second ejection waveforms set to different reference electric potentials, where the electric potential difference between these waveforms allows for a transition element to change between them, relaxing restrictions on the driving signal and enabling more flexible waveform design, allowing for decompression and compression sequences in the pressure chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the preparation wave form and return wave form are selected together with the ejection pulse based on ground electric potential, then the highest electric potential of the driving signal is reduced, but the waveform selection is restricted and the degree of freedom in designing ejection characteristics is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference electric potential parameter from ground potential to a potential lower than ground potential. This parameter change allows the preparation and return wave forms to be omitted while maintaining low electric potential levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between reducing electric potential and preserving waveform selection freedom.
2Reliability
If the ejection pulse is based on ground electric potential, then the electric potential range is limited, but the ejection characteristics cannot be freely designed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference electric potential parameter to a value lower than ground potential. This enables the ejection pulse to achieve both reliable ejection characteristics and flexible waveform design, as the lower reference potential expands the available electric potential range while maintaining control over liquid ejection.
3Productivity
If multiple ejection pulses are selected in one printing cycle, then different ink weights can be ejected, but the selection is restricted when preparation and return wave forms are connected
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the reference electric potential parameter to a lower value than ground potential, the patent eliminates the need for preparation and return wave forms. This enables multiple ejection pulses to be freely selected within one printing cycle for ejecting inks of different weights, thereby improving both productivity and waveform selection freedom.
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 enhances the degree of freedom in designing ejection waveforms, reduces the number of waveforms required, ensures sufficient ejection characteristics, and lowers the amplitude of the driving signal, thereby improving the efficiency and flexibility of liquid ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element which changes the pressure of liquid in the pressure chamber and ejects the liquid from the nozzles in response to the driving signal
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric element changes a pressure in a pressure chamber and ejects ink from nozzles. A driving signal generating section generates a driving signal that includes an ejection pulse PA and PB which eject ink to a piezoelectric element, and a first transition element between the ejection pulse PA and PB. A starting end and a terminal end of the ejection pulse PA are set to a reference electric potential VA, and a starting end and a terminal end of an ejection pulse PB are set to a reference electric potential VB. An electric potential difference between the reference electric potential VA and the lowest electric potential of the ejection pulse PA is smaller than an electric potential difference between the reference electric potential VB and a highest electric potential of the ejection pulse PB, and the reference electric potential VA is lower than the reference electric potential VB.