Piezo Inkjet Drive Signal Linear Sine Wave Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers face challenges in achieving high print accuracy due to unintended vibrations in the drive signal or pressure chamber, which affect the discharge of ink droplets, leading to reduced precision and increased meniscus vibration, resulting in ink mist and longer discharge intervals.
Innovation Solution
A print device and method utilizing a drive signal with a discharge driving signal that changes linearly in voltage and a post-discharge controlling signal of a substantial sine wave to quickly displace the piezoelectric element and suppress meniscus vibration, optimizing ink droplet discharge speed and reducing meniscus vibration impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional drive signal (trapezoidal wave or sine waves) is used to discharge ink droplets, then the piezoelectric element can be driven to discharge ink, but unintended vibration occurs in the drive signal or pressure chamber, reducing print accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal is segmented into two distinct parts: a discharge driving signal for ink droplet ejection and a post-discharge controlling signal for suppressing meniscus vibration. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, resolving the contradiction between achieving discharge and preventing unwanted vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The post-discharge controlling signal is designed to preemptively counteract the meniscus vibration that occurs after ink droplet discharge. By applying this controlling signal immediately after discharge, the vibration is suppressed before it can affect subsequent printing operations, thereby maintaining print accuracy.
2Productivity
If the piezoelectric element is quickly displaced to increase ink droplet discharge speed, then printing speed can be improved, but meniscus vibration increases, causing ink mist and requiring longer discharge intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The post-discharge controlling signal is prepared and applied immediately after the discharge driving signal, before the meniscus vibration can significantly develop. This preliminary action prevents the vibration from growing into a harmful oscillation that would cause ink mist and require extended discharge intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive signal parameters are optimized: the discharge driving signal uses a linear voltage change for quick response, while the post-discharge controlling signal uses a sine wave pattern with specific frequency and amplitude to effectively suppress meniscus vibration. These parameter changes enable both fast discharge and vibration control.
3Speed
If a linear voltage change signal is used for discharge driving, then the piezoelectric element can be quickly displaced for fast ink droplet discharge, but this may generate more vibration compared to smoother waveforms
Solution Approach 1:
The drive signal is divided into two segments with different waveform characteristics: the discharge driving signal uses linear voltage change for maximum speed, while the post-discharge controlling signal uses a sine wave for vibration suppression. This segmentation allows each segment to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromise.
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 enables faster and more accurate ink droplet discharge with reduced meniscus vibration, allowing for shorter discharge intervals and improved printing speed without compromising quality, while preventing unintended vibrations and ink mist generation.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that causes ink in the ink chamber to be discharged from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A print device is configured to perform printing by an ink jet scheme including: an ink jet head including a nozzle, an ink chamber that stores ink droplets at an upstream of the nozzle, and a piezoelectric element; and a drive signal output section that outputs a drive signal for causing the piezoelectric element to be displaced. The drive signal includes a discharge driving signal for causing the piezoelectric element displaced so that ink droplets are discharged from the nozzle, and a post-discharge controlling signal for causing the piezoelectric element displaced after the ink droplets are discharged from the nozzle, the drive signal output section outputs the discharge driving signal by which a voltage changes linearly from a first voltage to a second voltage which are predeterminedly set, at a timing when the ink droplets are to be discharged from the nozzle, and outputs a substantial sine wave.