Piezoelectric Head Driver Circuit Without Low-Pass Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting devices, such as inkjet printers, face high power consumption due to the use of class-D amplification operations, which consume significant electric power, especially due to the energy requirements of low-pass filters.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting device configuration that eliminates the need for a low-pass filter by using a comparator unit and a transistor pair to control the drive signal, reducing power consumption by eliminating the need for a low-pass filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If class-D amplification operation is used to drive the piezoelectric element, then energy efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases due to the low-pass filter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the low-pass filter from the class-D amplification circuit. By eliminating this energy-consuming component, the invention maintains the energy-efficient switching operation while removing the source of excessive power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and actual power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the amplification circuit by using a comparator-based switching mechanism instead of traditional PWM with low-pass filtering. This parameter change allows the circuit to achieve signal amplification through direct comparison and switching of transistors, eliminating the need for energy-intensive filtering while maintaining drive capability for the piezoelectric element
2Power
If linear amplification operation is used to drive the piezoelectric element, then sufficient current is supplied, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear amplification mechanism with a switching mechanism based on comparators and transistors. Instead of using continuous linear amplification that consumes high power, the invention uses discrete switching actions controlled by voltage comparisons, thereby maintaining sufficient current supply capability while dramatically reducing power consumption through the avoidance of continuous high-power operation
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 reduces power consumption by eliminating the low-pass filter, achieving lower energy usage compared to class-D amplification operations while maintaining effective signal amplification.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection section that includes a piezoelectric element that is displaced upon application of a drive signal, and ejects a liquid upon displacement of the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting device includes: an ejection section having a piezoelectric element that ejects liquid by being displaced upon application of a drive signal; a comparator having a first comparator section and a second comparator section, receiving an input signal and the drive signal, and outputting first and second control signals; and a transistor pair having a first transistor controlled with the first control signal and a second transistor controlled with the second control signal, and outputting the drive signal, the first comparator section comparing first and second comparison signals and outputting the first control signal, the first comparison signal being obtained by offsetting one of the input signal and the drive signal, the second comparator section comparing third and fourth comparison signals and outputting the second control signal, and the third comparison signal being obtained by offsetting one of the input signal and the drive signal.