Piezo Ink Jet Head Waveform Switching for Tone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet heads face an increase in drive circuit size due to the inclusion of additional analog switches necessary for generating different drive waveforms for varying ink droplet volumes, complicating the formation of dots with different tones.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet head that generates a common waveform alternately including elements of multiple output waveforms, using a switch connected between an electrode pair and a common waveform generation circuit, controlled by a timing controller to selectively apply these waveforms to actuators without requiring separate analog switches for each waveform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analog switches are added to generate different drive waveforms for varying ink droplet volumes, then the ability to form dots with different tones is improved, but the drive circuit size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single analog switch is designed to perform multiple functions by selectively connecting different capacitors (C1, C2, C3) to the actuator. The switch can generate multiple drive waveforms (first, second, and third drive waveforms with different voltage levels) using one switch component, thereby reducing the need for multiple separate switches while maintaining the capability to form dots with different tones.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive waveform parameters (voltage levels) are changed by selectively connecting different capacitors to the actuator through the single analog switch. By varying the capacitor connections, the system generates different drive waveforms with different voltage amplitudes, enabling control of ink droplet volumes and dot tones without adding more switch components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analog switches are added to generate different drive waveforms, then various ink droplet volumes can be ejected, but the number of circuit components and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
One analog switch is designed to control multiple capacitors (C1, C2, C3) and generate multiple drive waveforms with different voltage levels. This single switch component replaces what would traditionally require multiple switches, reducing the quantity of circuit components while maintaining the ability to eject ink droplets of various volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple capacitor components (C1, C2, C3) are combined into a single capacitor bank that can be selectively connected to the actuator through one analog switch. This merging of multiple capacitive elements into a unified structure controlled by a single switch reduces the overall number of circuit components while providing multiple drive waveform options.
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
Enables the generation of multiple drive waveforms efficiently, reducing the need for additional switches and maintaining consistent ejection velocities while suppressing pressure vibrations, thus optimizing ink droplet volume and tone formation without increasing circuit complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric member configured to drive a pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ink jet head includes a piezoelectric member to drive a pressure chamber, an electrode pair to apply a voltage to the piezoelectric member, and a common waveform generation circuit to generate a common waveform. The common waveform alternately includes an element of a first output waveform and an element of a second output waveform at a predetermined period. A switch is connected between a first electrode of the electrode pair and the common waveform generation circuit. A timing controller supplies a control signal to turn the switch on and off at the predetermined period such that the first or second output waveform can be selectively applied to the piezoelectric member to drive the pressure chamber to eject a liquid.