Piezoelectric Liquid Ejection Circuit Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses, such as those described in JP-A-2022-057816, face limitations in ejection accuracy, particularly when dealing with high viscosity liquids and increasing the amount of liquid ejected per drive of the drive elements.
Innovation Solution
The liquid ejection apparatus incorporates a drive circuit that outputs a drive signal, a first switching circuit to control the output of a first drive voltage, and two piezoelectric elements and pressure chambers that work together to eject liquid. The first switching circuit includes a single switch element that supplies the drive signal commonly to both piezoelectric elements, improving ejection control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple piezoelectric elements are used to eject high viscosity liquid, then the amount of liquid ejected increases, but the ejection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple piezoelectric elements (first and second piezoelectric elements) into a single integrated ejection unit that shares common control circuitry. The first switching circuit controls both piezoelectric elements using a single first drive voltage signal, merging the control functions while maintaining the ejection capability of multiple elements. This integration approach allows the system to eject larger amounts of high viscosity liquid through multiple elements while preserving ejection accuracy through unified control.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple drive elements are used to eject liquid, then the amount of liquid ejected increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal control functionality where the first switching circuit and first drive voltage signal serve multiple purposes - controlling both the first and second piezoelectric elements. This multi-functional design allows a single control path to manage multiple ejection elements, reducing the need for separate control circuits for each element and thereby decreasing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to eject larger amounts of liquid.
3Device complexity
If a single switch element is used to control multiple piezoelectric elements, then the device complexity decreases, but the control precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function within the single switching circuit, allowing the first switching circuit to independently control the first and second piezoelectric elements through its internal switching mechanisms. This segmentation of control functions within a unified circuit structure enables precise individual control of each piezoelectric element while maintaining the benefits of a simplified overall device architecture with reduced component count.
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 the ejection accuracy and increases the amount of liquid ejected per drive, particularly effective with high viscosity liquids, while maintaining stable ejection characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric element which is displaced in accordance with the first drive voltage, a first pressure chamber a volume of which varies with a displacement of the first piezoelectric element, a second piezoelectric element which is displaced in accordance with the first drive voltage, a second pressure chamber a volume of which varies with a displacement of the second piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a first switching circuit to which a drive signal is input, and which is configured to switch whether to output a first drive voltage, a first piezoelectric element which is displaced in accordance with the first drive voltage, a second piezoelectric element which is displaced in accordance with the first drive voltage, and a first nozzle configured to eject a liquid in accordance with the first drive voltage, wherein the first switching circuit includes a single first switch element configured to switch whether to set the drive signal to the first drive voltage and supply the drive signal commonly to the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element in accordance with a first ejection control signal.