Piezoelectric Print Head Actuator Impedance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring impedance in piezoelectric ink jet print heads are impractical due to the time-consuming process of rewiring an impedance meter to each ink jet, making it difficult to run impedance sweep measurements on all ink jets of a print head.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize electronic selection circuitry and an impedance bridge connected to a drive rail, with a waveform generator and analog-to-digital converter to measure the impedance of multiple piezoelectric actuators simultaneously, allowing for efficient impedance measurement across a range of frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional impedance meter wiring method is used to measure each ink jet individually, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming rewiring process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by using the electronic selection circuitry to isolate and measure each piezoelectric actuator individually through shared drive rails, maintaining individual measurement precision while enabling batch processing of multiple actuators without physical rewiring
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance meter is configured to measure multiple piezoelectric actuators through universal drive rails that serve both as power delivery paths and measurement paths, eliminating the need for dedicated wiring to each actuator and enabling high-throughput measurement
2Reliability
If impedance sweep measurement is performed on all ink jets, then diagnostic capability is improved, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement across all piezoelectric actuators by maintaining constant electrical connection through drive rails and using electronic switching to sequentially activate each actuator for impedance sweep measurement, eliminating idle time associated with physical rewiring and enabling comprehensive diagnostic coverage of all ink jets in a single continuous 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
Enables rapid and efficient impedance measurement of each piezoelectric actuator in a print head, identifying issues such as electrical connectivity, mechanical, and fluidic resonances, and crosstalk between ink jets, thereby improving diagnostic capabilities and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measuring an impedance of the plurality of piezoelectrical actuators of the print head through the electronic selection circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring an impedance of each of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators of a print head, each piezoelectric actuator connected to electronic selection circuitry of the print head that drives the piezoelectric actuators during a print operation. The method includes generating a waveform to drive a drive rail of the print head, the drive rail connected to the electronic selection circuitry of the print head and measuring an impedance of each of the plurality of piezoelectrical actuators of the print head through the electronic selection circuitry.