Piezoelectric Inspection Signal for Ink Ejection State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face challenges in accurately determining the ejection state of the ejecting section due to manufacturing variance, leading to decreased image quality and increased risk of ink ejection abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus that includes an ejecting section deforming a piezoelectric element with a specific inspection signal, comprising a first potential-changing element, a first potential-maintaining element, a second potential-changing element, and a second potential-maintaining element, where the length of the first time period is equal to or longer than 0.75 times the natural vibration period, allowing for accurate detection of residual vibration by a vibration detector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple inspection signal is used to determine ejection state, then the measurement process is simple, but the accuracy of ejection state determination decreases due to manufacturing variance in residual vibration characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection signal is designed as a periodic wave signal with specific time period relationships (T1≥0.75×TC, T2≥TC, T3≤0.5×TC) that correspond to the natural vibration period of the ejecting section. This periodic structure allows the signal to interact with the resonant characteristics of the system, producing consistent residual vibration patterns that can be reliably used for ejection state determination despite manufacturing variances.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection signal uses specific parameter relationships (time periods T1, T2, T3 related to natural vibration period TC) to optimize the excitation of the ejecting section. By carefully controlling the duration and timing of potential changes in the inspection signal, the system elicits residual vibration characteristics that are consistent across different manufactured units, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the inspection signal time periods are not optimized, then the signal generation is simple, but the variance in residual vibration characteristics increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection signal employs a periodic waveform structure where the time periods T1, T2, and T3 are specifically related to the natural vibration period TC of the ejecting section. This periodicity ensures that the excitation consistently targets the resonant frequency, producing stable and repeatable residual vibration characteristics across different operating conditions and manufactured units.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection signal is designed with predetermined time period relationships (T1≥0.75×TC, T2≥TC, T3≤0.5×TC) that are established before actual ejection operations. This preliminary optimization of signal parameters ensures that the ejecting section is properly excited to produce consistent residual vibration patterns, reducing variance without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
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 variance in residual vibration characteristics, improving the accuracy of ejection state determination and reducing the risk of ink ejection abnormalities, thereby enhancing image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an ejecting section that ejects liquid within a pressure chamber according to deformation of a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a vibration detector that detects a residual vibration occurring in the ejecting section after the inspection signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An inspection signal includes a first potential-changing element having a potential that changes from a first potential to a second potential in one direction in a first time period, a first potential-maintaining element having the second potential maintained in a second time period immediately after the first time period, a second potential-changing element having a potential that changes from the second potential to a third potential in the other direction in a third time period immediately after the second time period, and a second potential-maintaining element having the third potential maintained in a fourth time period immediately after the third time period. When a natural vibration period of an ejecting section is TC, a length of the first time period is equal to or longer than 0.75×TC. A vibration detector detects a residual vibration in a detection period included in the fourth time period.