Piezoelectric Drive Signal Timing for Shorter Ink Ejection Intervals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection devices face challenges in maintaining efficient ink ejection intervals and device configuration complexity due to the need for multiple signal generation circuits and amplifying circuits, leading to potential lengthening of ejection intervals and limited adjustment ranges of drive signal durations.
Innovation Solution
A signal generation device comprising a first signal generation portion, an amplifying portion, and a second signal generation portion, which generates and amplifies drive signals by extending rise times and shifting fall timings of single-wave signals, allowing selective extraction of rising and falling edges to generate drive signals for piezoelectric elements, thereby reducing the need for multiple amplifying circuits and signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple signal generation circuits and amplifying circuits are used to achieve different ejection amounts, then the ejection amount can be switched, but the device configuration becomes complex and the ejection interval may lengthen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal generation circuits into a single signal generation circuit that produces a common signal. This common signal is then distributed to multiple nozzles, eliminating the need for separate signal generation and amplifying circuits for each nozzle, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to control different ejection amounts
Solution Approach 2:
The single signal generation circuit and amplifying circuit are designed to serve multiple nozzles simultaneously. By generating a common signal that can be selectively applied to different nozzles, the system achieves multi-functionality where one circuit performs the role of multiple circuits, reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple signal generation circuits are used for different ejection amounts, then ejection control is flexible, but the ejection interval lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple signal generation circuits into one that produces a common signal, the patent eliminates the time required to sequentially generate signals for different nozzles. The common signal can be rapidly distributed to multiple nozzles, reducing the ejection interval while maintaining flexible ejection control
3Device complexity
If a single signal generation circuit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the adjustment range of drive signal duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control mechanisms that allow the single signal generation circuit to produce variable drive signal durations. By dynamically adjusting the signal characteristics based on which nozzles are activated, the system achieves a broad adjustment range for drive signal duration while maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the common signal dynamically depending on the ejection requirements. By modifying signal duration, amplitude, or timing parameters based on the specific nozzle configuration, the single signal generation circuit achieves versatile control over drive signal characteristics
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 suppresses the lengthening of ink ejection intervals and simplifies the device configuration while enabling fine adjustments of drive signal durations, improving image quality by allowing for broader adjustment ranges and reducing heat and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid ejection device such as an inkjet printer including a piezoelectric element that ejects liquid such as ink from a nozzle in response to input of a drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A signal generation device includes a first signal generation portion and a second signal generation portion. The first signal generation portion, based on a reference signal that includes a plurality of rectangular single-wave signals, generates an original common signal in which the rise times of the two or more of the single-wave signals are extended so that they are different from each other, and the fall timing of one or more of the single-wave signals is shifted. The second signal generating portion generates a drive signal to be input to a piezoelectric element by extracting a rising edge of any one of the single-wave signals, the rise time of which is extended, from the original common signal amplified by the amplifying portion, maintaining a signal level changed by extracting the rising edge of the single-wave signal, and extracting a falling edge of a single-wave signal after the single-wave signal.