Liquid Ejection Head Unit With Residual Vibration Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in detecting residual vibration signals from piezoelectric elements efficiently, which affects the detection speed and accuracy of ejection states.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a head unit with first and second pressure chambers, each connected to a nozzle and driven by a piezoelectric element to generate residual vibration signals. A residual vibration signal acquisition circuit processes these signals, including waveform shaping, maximum and minimum value holding, and outputting a period signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single piezoelectric element and single pressure chamber are used, then the device complexity is low, but the detection precision and speed of ejection state are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple piezoelectric elements (first and second piezoelectric elements) and their corresponding pressure chambers into a single integrated ejection unit. The residual vibration signals from both piezoelectric elements are acquired and processed together by a single control unit, which merges the detection functions to improve measurement precision while managing device complexity through integrated signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the residual vibration signals generated by the piezoelectric elements after ejection as a detection mechanism. By analyzing the vibration characteristics (frequency, amplitude, duration) of the pressure chambers, the system achieves precise detection of ejection states without requiring additional complex sensing components
2Measurement precision
If complex signal processing is implemented, then the detection accuracy improves, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is pre-configured with specific detection algorithms that analyze predetermined characteristics of the residual vibration signals (frequency, amplitude, duration). By preparing the detection criteria in advance and continuously monitoring the vibration signals, the system achieves accurate detection without requiring complex real-time processing, thus reducing processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based detection systems with electronic signal processing of residual vibrations. The control unit processes the vibration signals through software-based analysis of frequency, amplitude, and duration characteristics, which provides both high detection accuracy and fast processing speed compared to traditional mechanical sensing methods
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 detection speed and accuracy of ejection states by effectively processing residual vibration signals, allowing for better control and maintenance of the liquid ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is driven to eject ink from an ejector
Data Source
AI summary
A head unit includes: a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber; a nozzle communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber; a first piezoelectric element configured to output a first residual vibration signal; a second piezoelectric element configured to output a second residual vibration signal; and a residual vibration signal acquisition circuit configured to acquire a composite residual vibration signal, in which the residual vibration signal acquisition circuit includes a waveform shaping circuit configured to output a shaped residual vibration signal obtained by shaping a signal waveform of the composite residual vibration signal, a first hold circuit configured to hold a maximum value of the shaped residual vibration signal, a second hold circuit configured to hold a minimum value of the shaped residual vibration signal, and a period signal output circuit configured to output a residual vibration period signal.