Nozzle Pairs for High Speed Fluid Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid droplet ejection systems face challenges in achieving high-speed printing with uniform droplet deposition and quality, often resulting in banding and errors due to misalignment and nozzle misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A fluid ejection system with multiple independently controllable nozzle pairs, where nozzles are arranged in a matrix configuration to eject droplets at the same pixel location, allowing for high-speed printing by spacing them apart in the print direction and perpendicular to it, enabling uniform pixel formation and improved print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzles are spaced apart in the print direction to increase printing speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to droplet misalignment and banding
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the ejection function into multiple independent nozzle units arranged in pairs, where each nozzle can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different nozzles to be spaced apart in the print direction (to increase speed) while maintaining precise droplet placement through independent control of each nozzle's ejection timing and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the ejection timing and duration of each nozzle through independent actuator control. By adjusting the pulse width modulation duty cycle of each actuator, the system can compensate for spacing variations between nozzles and maintain uniform droplet deposition even when nozzles are spaced apart to enable high-speed printing.
2Manufacturing precision
If nozzles are spaced closer together to improve droplet uniformity, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to tighter tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses nozzle pairs with controlled spacing rather than requiring all nozzles to be uniformly spaced at tight tolerances. Each nozzle in a pair is independently controllable, allowing the system to achieve uniform droplet deposition through coordinated control rather than relying solely on tight mechanical tolerances between adjacent nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for nozzle spacing variations by dynamically adjusting ejection parameters (volume, timing, duration) of each nozzle. This allows the system to maintain droplet uniformity even when nozzles are spaced at relaxed tolerances, reducing manufacturing complexity while preserving precision.
3Productivity
If a single nozzle is used to form pixels, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to limited ejection rate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple nozzles into coordinated pairs that work together to form pixels. Each nozzle pair is spaced apart in the print direction and can be independently controlled, allowing them to function as a unified ejection system that achieves higher ejection rates while maintaining pixel uniformity. The paired configuration provides redundancy and enables parallel ejection to increase productivity.
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 print speed and quality by ensuring uniform droplet deposition, reducing banding, and allowing for smaller ejection module sizes, while enabling high-density pixel formation and efficient ink distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid pumping chamber can be actuated by a transducer, such as a thermal or piezoelectric actuator
Implementation Method 2
The fluid pumping chamber can be actuated by a transducer, such as a thermal or piezoelectric actuator
Implementation Method 3
Fluid droplets can be ejected from the nozzle onto a medium, such as in a printing operation
Data Source
AI summary
The first plurality of nozzles and the second plurality of nozzles in a fluid ejection system are arranged in a plurality of nozzle pairs, each nozzle pair of the plurality of nozzle pairs including a first nozzle from the first plurality of nozzles and an associated second nozzle from the second plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle and associated second nozzle of each nozzle pair spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction, the first direction being the direction of movement of a print media, by greater than zero and less than the pixel pitch p and spaced apart in the first direction. A controller is configured to cause the first nozzle and the second nozzle of each nozzle pair to deposit droplets at the same pixel in a line of pixels.