Phase Signal Digitization for Continuous Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous inkjet printing systems face challenges in accurately processing phase signals, particularly at low signal-to-noise ratios, due to crosstalk and high voltage interference, which affects the formation and travel of ink droplets, leading to suboptimal printing performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting analogue phase signals into digitised phase signals using analogue-to-digital converters and processing them in the time domain, allowing for easier extraction of phase parameters, improved noise cancellation, and reduced computational effort, enabling more reliable and efficient monitoring of inkjet performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analogue phase signals are processed directly, then the processing is simpler, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analogue signal processing with digital signal processing. Analogue-to-digital converters (ADCs) convert the analogue phase signals into digital form, allowing digital filtering and processing techniques to be applied. This substitution enables more effective noise cancellation and phase parameter extraction while maintaining manageable system complexity through standard digital processing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage between signal acquisition and final measurement. Digital filtering and signal conditioning algorithms act as intermediaries that clean and condition the digitised phase signals before extraction of phase parameters. This intermediary processing layer improves measurement precision by removing noise and crosstalk artifacts while keeping the overall system architecture organized and manageable.
2Measurement precision
If noise cancellation is improved, then the measurement precision improves, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary digital filtering and signal conditioning to the phase signals before full processing. By pre-processing the digitised signals to remove obvious noise and crosstalk components early in the processing chain, the system reduces the computational burden of subsequent analysis while maintaining high measurement precision. This preliminary action optimizes the balance between noise rejection and processing speed.
3Productivity
If real-time monitoring is implemented, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service monitoring where the digitised phase signals are continuously processed to automatically detect and report phase deviations, droplet formation issues, and performance anomalies. The system monitors its own operation in real-time without requiring external intervention, extracting phase parameters and generating alerts autonomously. This self-service capability improves productivity through continuous monitoring while managing complexity through automated algorithms rather than additional hardware sensors.
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 robustness of phase parameter extraction, improves printing accuracy, and allows for real-time monitoring of inkjet performance, even in environments with high noise levels, resulting in more reliable and efficient continuous inkjet printing.
Implementation Method 1
Vibration is applied to the one or more ink jets typically by one or more piezoelectric elements suitably disposed in, and coupled with, parts of the printhead and/or the nozzles individually
Implementation Method 2
selectively charged so that they can be selectively deflected downstream of the nozzle(s), on their travel to the printed substrate, by an electric deflection field generated by, usually, corresponding deflection plates
Implementation Method 3
the charged droplets are deflected into a gutter and, from there, returned to the ink reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A method of processing phase signals for continuous inkjet printing, said method comprising: providing at least one phase signal, wherein said at least one phase signal is an analogue signal; converting the at least one phase signal into at least one corresponding digitised phase signal; and processing said at least one digitised phasing signal, wherein the processing comprises extracting at least one predetermined phase parameter from the at least one digitised phasing signal when the at least one digitised phasing signal is a time-domain digitalised phase signal, and wherein the at least one predetermined phase parameter comprises one or more time-domain signal features of the at least one digitised phasing signal.