Piezoelectric Drive Circuit With Level Shifting for Waveform Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive circuits for piezoelectric-based liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in achieving accurate waveform generation and minimizing signal loss due to insufficient amplification and modulation techniques, particularly in the switching elements.
Innovation Solution
The drive circuit incorporates a modulation circuit, an amplification circuit, a level switching signal generation circuit, a level shift circuit, and a demodulation circuit to generate and refine drive signals for piezoelectric elements, utilizing transistors and capacitive elements to manage voltage levels and switching signals for precise signal amplification and demodulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a drive circuit includes an amplification circuit to amplify the base drive signal, then the current output capability is improved, but the waveform accuracy of the drive signal deteriorates due to signal loss and potential distortion in switching elements
Solution Approach 1:
The drive circuit is divided into multiple functional blocks: modulation circuit, amplification circuit, level shift circuit, and demodulation circuit. Each block performs a specific function to process the drive signal at different stages, allowing independent optimization of signal quality and power output capability without mutual interference
Solution Approach 2:
A level shift circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the amplification circuit and the piezoelectric element. This level shift circuit compensates for voltage level mismatches and reduces signal loss in switching elements, thereby maintaining waveform accuracy while preserving the high current output capability provided by the amplification circuit
2Power
If the amplification circuit amplifies the modulation signal, then the signal strength is improved, but the potential of the drive signal becomes mismatched with the power supply voltage, causing waveform distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The level shift circuit dynamically adjusts the voltage level parameter of the amplified modulation signal based on the power supply voltage. By changing the potential offset parameter in response to power supply variations, the circuit maintains proper voltage matching between the amplified signal and the power supply, preventing waveform distortion while preserving signal strength
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 waveform accuracy and reduces signal loss, ensuring efficient operation of piezoelectric elements in liquid ejecting apparatuses, thereby improving the precision and reliability of ink ejection.
Implementation Method 1
a device using piezoelectric elements is known. In such a liquid ejecting apparatus, the piezoelectric elements are provided to correspond to a plurality of nozzles that eject the liquid, and is driven according to a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A drive circuit includes a modulation circuit that modulates a base drive signal that is a base of a drive signal, and outputs a modulation signal, an amplification circuit that outputs a first amplified modulation signal obtained by amplifying the modulation signal, a level switching signal generation circuit that generates a level switching signal that is a digital signal, a level shift circuit that outputs the first amplified modulation signal as a second amplified modulation signal, or outputs, as the second amplified modulation signal, a signal obtained by shifting a potential of the first amplified modulation signal, and a demodulation circuit that demodulates the second amplified modulation signal, and outputs the drive signal. A voltage of the drive signal is lower than a power supply voltage of the level shift circuit when the level shifts circuit shift a potential of the first amplified modulation signal.