Printing Nozzle Waveform Multiplexing to Reduce Standby Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printers waste time due to standby periods of nozzles during printing, as only one driving pulse is selected out of four sequentially generated pulses, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A printing device that selects drive waveforms based on voltage values and generates a time-division multiplex signal to drive energy generating elements, reducing the number of selected waveforms and increasing the assigned time period for each selected waveform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If four driving pulses are sequentially generated during one period, then the printing device can provide multiple drive waveforms for different nozzle requirements, but the standby time of the nozzle increases because only one driving pulse is selected at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive waveform selectionVSAvoidnozzle standby time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing multiple drive waveform data sets in the memory before the printing process. These pre-stored waveforms are then selectively applied to the nozzle based on the required ink ejection amount, eliminating the need for sequential generation and reducing standby time while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by making the nozzle operate continuously with selected drive waveforms without idle standby periods. The controller continuously selects and applies appropriate drive waveforms from the pre-stored data, ensuring the nozzle is always in an active state performing the printing function without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Device complexity

If only one driving pulse is selected from four sequential pulses, then the printing process is simplified, but the time efficiency decreases due to unnecessary standby periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive pulse selectionVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the amplitude and timing parameters of the drive waveforms based on the required ink ejection amount. Instead of using fixed sequential pulses, the system dynamically adjusts waveform parameters to match printing requirements, improving both simplicity and productivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple drive waveforms are stored and selected, then the adaptability to different ink ejection requirements improves, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink ejection controlVSAvoidwaveform selection control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the nozzle system to automatically select and apply appropriate drive waveforms from pre-stored data based on the required ink ejection amount. The controller autonomously manages waveform selection without external intervention, reducing control complexity while maintaining high adaptability to different printing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 reduces nozzle standby time by optimizing the selection of drive waveforms, enhancing printing efficiency and reducing idle periods.

Implementation Method 1

a nozzle configured to eject liquid by an energy generating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12370793B2Printing device, printing method, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium therefor

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A printing device comprises a nozzle configured to eject liquid by an energy generating element, a first selector configured to select, for each particular time period, data indicating a drive waveform based on a voltage value in the particular time period, a signal generator configured to generate a time-division multiplex signal, and a separator configured to separate a drive waveform signal indicating the drive waveform from the time-division multiplex signal generated by the signal generator. The energy generating element is configured to be driven by the drive waveform separated by the separator, and the signal generator is configured to increase an assigned time period, in the particular time period, assigned per the drive waveform selected by the first selector as a number of the drive waveforms selected by the first selector decreases.