Liquid Ejection Drive Signals With Different Starting Potentials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face limitations in setting the amount of droplets to be ejected due to restricted design freedom and inadequate correction mechanisms, particularly when maintaining a fixed common electrical potential.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a first and second drive signal generating circuit to generate drive signals with different starting electrical potentials, allowing for independent control of droplet ejection amounts by varying the electrical potential from the start of each driving cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed common electrical potential is maintained in the drive signal, then the circuit design is simplified, but the degree of freedom in design is limited and droplet ejection amount cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical potential parameter of the drive signal by introducing different starting electrical potentials (first electrical potential and second electrical potential) for different drive signals. This allows independent control of droplet ejection amounts while maintaining circuit simplicity, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If the shape of each pulse is designed to satisfy ejection amount and ejection speed requirements, then the ejection performance is optimized, but the degree of freedom in design is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control by varying the starting electrical potential based on the required droplet ejection amount. The drive signal generating circuit dynamically selects between first electrical potential and second electrical potential, providing adaptable design freedom while maintaining optimized ejection performance through pulse shape design.
3Device complexity
If a single drive signal is used for all nozzles, then the control circuit is simplified, but the correction of droplet ejection amount is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive signal control by providing different drive signals (first drive signal and second drive signal) with different starting electrical potentials for different nozzles or different ejection requirements. This segmentation enables precise correction of droplet ejection amounts while keeping the control circuit structure relatively simple through systematic signal generation.
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 flexibility in setting droplet ejection amounts, improving the accuracy and consistency of droplet ejection in the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive signal having a first pulse to be supplied to the first drive element... a first electrical potential of a first starting electrical potential-maintained element which is included in the first drive signal... is set to be different from a second electrical potential of a second starting electrical potential-maintained element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a first nozzle, a first pressure chamber, and a first drive element; a first drive signal generating circuit that generates a first drive signal to be supplied to the first drive element when a droplet is to be ejected; and a second drive signal generating circuit that generates a second drive signal to be supplied to the first drive element. The first drive signal has a first pulse and a first starting electrical potential-maintained element that maintains a first electrical potential from the start of a single driving cycle to the start of the first pulse. The second drive signal has: a second pulse; and a second starting electrical potential-maintained element that maintains a second electrical potential from the start of the single driving cycle to the start of the second pulse. The first electrical potential is different from the second electrical potential.