Piezoelectric Inkjet Nozzle Meniscus Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently determining the timing for slight vibration of the meniscus in nozzles, leading to increased power consumption, heat generation, and deterioration of piezoelectric elements, especially when the meniscus is constantly vibrated except during ink ejection.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a controller that transmits specific drive signals based on stored ejection and slight vibration pattern information to manage the vibration of the meniscus in nozzles, allowing for precise control of ink ejection and vibration, reducing unnecessary vibration and associated energy consumption and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the piezoelectric element is always driven to slightly vibrate ink in the corresponding nozzle except when the ink droplet is ejected, then the meniscus vibration timing is determined, but power consumption increases and the piezoelectric element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by driving the piezoelectric element only at specific intervals rather than continuously. The controller drives the piezoelectric element to vibrate the meniscus at predetermined timing intervals, creating periodic vibration cycles that maintain ink flow while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the piezoelectric element operation state changeable between driven and non-driven states. The controller dynamically adjusts the driving state based on the ejection timing requirements, transitioning from continuous operation to selective operation, thereby optimizing both reliability and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If the piezoelectric element is always driven to slightly vibrate ink, then the meniscus vibration timing is determined, but heat generation of the recording head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces heat generation by implementing periodic action. Instead of continuous driving of the piezoelectric element, the controller activates it only at predetermined intervals to vibrate the meniscus. This periodic operation significantly reduces cumulative heat generation while maintaining the necessary meniscus vibration timing for reliable ink ejection.
3Manufacturing precision
If the recording start position is changed depending on the dot pattern information, then ejection control is precise, but complicated processings are required for setting the slight-vibration start position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the slight-vibration start position in the memory before the actual ejection process. The controller retrieves this pre-stored position information during operation, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing processing complexity while maintaining precise ejection control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a separate stored copy of the slight-vibration start position information. Instead of calculating the vibration start position dynamically based on dot pattern information, the system creates and stores a reference position that can be directly retrieved and applied, simplifying the control process while maintaining precision.
4Reliability
If the meniscus is always slightly vibrated, then ink flow is maintained, but inconsistencies in printed density occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic action. The controller vibrates the meniscus at specific predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This timing-based approach ensures ink flow is maintained when needed while allowing rest periods that prevent over-vibration, thereby eliminating inconsistencies in printed density while maintaining reliable ink flow.
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 solution enables easy determination of meniscus vibration timing, reducing power consumption, heat generation, and piezoelectric element deterioration, while maintaining image quality by uniformly vibrating the meniscus across nozzles, thus minimizing inconsistencies in printed density.
Implementation Method 1
driving piezoelectric elements based on print pattern information to cause the recording head to eject ink droplets from its nozzles
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus stores ejection pattern information and slight vibration pattern information indicating two-dimensional arrangements of ejection information and slight vibration information, respectively. A controller transmits an ejection signal when the ejection information at a first position in the ejection pattern information is first information and when the slight vibration information at a second position in the slight vibration pattern information is third information or fourth information. The controller transmits a slight vibration signal the ejection information at the first position is second information and when the slight vibration information at the second position is the third information. The controller transmits a non-vibration signal when the ejection information at the first position is the second information and when the slight vibration information at the second position is the fourth information.