Nozzle Waveform Control for Fluid-Jet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid-jet printing technologies apply a single waveform to all nozzles, leading to inconsistent fluid ejection due to manufacturing defects and wear, resulting in poor image formation performance.
Innovation Solution
A controller for each nozzle that selects and scales waveforms based on stored values to adjust time delay, pulse width, and shape, ensuring optimal fluid ejection characteristics for individual nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single waveform is applied to all nozzles, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of fluid ejection deteriorate due to defects and wear variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning individualized waveform parameters (time delay, pulse width, shape) to each nozzle based on its specific characteristics. The controller stores and applies customized waveforms for each nozzle, allowing each nozzle to operate at its optimal parameters rather than using a universal waveform, thereby compensating for manufacturing defects and wear variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying waveform parameters (time delay, pulse width, shape) for each nozzle to compensate for performance variations. The system adjusts these parameters individually for each nozzle based on stored characterization data, enabling precise control of fluid ejection characteristics despite manufacturing tolerances and aging effects.
2Reliability
If individual waveform customization is implemented for each nozzle, then the manufacturing precision and reliability of fluid ejection are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-characterizing each nozzle and storing its optimal waveform parameters in the controller during manufacturing or calibration. This pre-stored information allows the controller to automatically select and apply the appropriate waveform for each nozzle without requiring real-time adjustments or complex decision-making during operation, thereby managing complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If waveform parameters are adjusted for each nozzle, then the image formation quality is improved by correcting trajectory and pulse width variations, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the controller to automatically select and apply the appropriate waveform parameters for each nozzle based on pre-stored characterization data. The system performs the complex waveform selection and adjustment automatically without requiring user intervention or manual calibration, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high image formation quality through individualized nozzle control.
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 allows for precise control of fluid ejection, improving image formation by correcting trajectory, pulse width, and slew rate variations, thereby enhancing the overall performance of fluid-jet printing devices.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric printing devices employ membranes that deform when electric energy is applied. The membrane deformation causes ejection of fluid.
Implementation Method 2
Thermal inkjet printing technologies, by comparison, employ heating resistors that are heated when electric energy is applied. The heating causes ejection of the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a device for driving a nozzle of a fluid-jet printing device includes a circuit to, for each pixel time of a plurality of pixel times select a waveform from a plurality of waveforms based on more than one of waveform time delay, waveform pulse width and waveform shape, and apply the selected waveform to the nozzle to drive the nozzle to eject fluid for a current pixel time.