Liquid Ejection Device Actuator Crosstalk Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejection devices face instability due to crosstalk interference between actuators when driven at almost the same timing, leading to unpredictable ink ejection patterns.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection device with a nozzle plate, actuator, liquid supply unit, waveform generation circuit, and drive signal output circuit that generates and allocates different drive waveforms with varying start timings to prevent actuator interference, ensuring stable ink ejection by canceling out pressure vibrations across channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple actuators are driven at the same phase or with slightly shifted phases, then productivity is improved by simultaneous operation, but reliability deteriorates due to crosstalk interference causing unstable ink ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by driving actuators in a sequential periodic manner rather than simultaneously. Each actuator is driven at different time points in a predetermined sequence, creating periodic ejection cycles that eliminate crosstalk interference while maintaining high productivity through continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the simultaneous actuator operation into distinct time-phased operations. By dividing the ejection process into sequential stages where different actuators operate at different times, the system eliminates interference while preserving the overall productivity benefits of multi-actuator operation
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple actuators are driven at almost the same timing, then power usage is optimized through simultaneous operation, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to crosstalk causing interference between actuator operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to sequence actuator operations in time-phased intervals. This approach distributes power consumption across different time points, eliminating the harmful crosstalk interference that occurs with simultaneous operation while maintaining overall power efficiency through optimized ejection timing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-positioning actuators to operate in a predetermined sequential order. This preliminary arrangement of operation timing prevents crosstalk interference before it occurs, allowing efficient power usage without the harmful effects of simultaneous actuation
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
The solution enables stable liquid ejection by minimizing crosstalk between actuators, maintaining ink ejection stability even with multiple nozzles, and preventing power concentration during simultaneous operations.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator for ejecting liquid from each of the nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a waveform generation circuit for generating plural kinds of drive waveforms with different generation start timings
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection device includes a nozzle plate, an actuator, a liquid supply unit, a waveform generation circuit, a waveform allocation circuit, and a drive signal output circuit. A plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid is arranged in the nozzle plate. The actuator is provided in each of the nozzles. The waveform generation circuit generates plural kinds of drive waveforms with different generation start timings. The waveform allocation circuit can set the drive waveform among plural kinds of drive waveforms and the actuator of the nozzle to be allocated. The drive signal output circuit drives the actuator with the allocated drive waveform.