Piezoelectric Print Head Switch Control for Heat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-density piezoelectric ink jet print heads experience increased heat generation due to switch operations, leading to ink deterioration and viscosity changes, which can result in ejection failures and instability, especially when handling various ink types without applying heat.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a switch-operation stop controller that monitors the history of ON/OFF operations and stops switch operations based on stored history information, combined with a history-information memory and a counter to manage micro-vibration waveforms, thereby reducing heat generation and maintaining ink stability across high-density nozzle arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the density of arrangement of nozzles is increased to achieve high-density printing, then nozzle density is improved, but heat amount per unit volume increases causing ink deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by controlling the switch operation timing to prevent continuous heat generation. The switch-operation stop controller periodically stops switch operations based on temperature history, creating intermittent operation cycles that allow heat dissipation while maintaining printing functionality. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high nozzle density while preventing excessive heat accumulation through periodic operational pauses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through the switch-operation stop controller that monitors temperature history information and adjusts switch operations accordingly. When the accumulated temperature reaches a threshold, the controller feedback-stops further switch operations to prevent excessive heating. This feedback mechanism enables maintaining high nozzle density while dynamically controlling heat generation to prevent ink deterioration.
2Measurement precision
If switch operations are performed frequently to control individual nozzles, then nozzle control precision is improved, but heat generation and current consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent switch operations based on temperature history. Instead of continuous or frequent switching, the system periodically stops switch operations when temperature thresholds are reached, reducing overall current consumption while maintaining necessary nozzle control precision through targeted switching only when needed and safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service through automatic switch operation management. The switch-operation stop controller autonomously monitors temperature history and decides when to stop switch operations without external intervention. This self-regulating mechanism reduces current consumption by eliminating unnecessary switch operations while preserving control precision by maintaining switching when temperature conditions are acceptable.
3Measurement precision
If switch operations are performed frequently to control individual nozzles, then nozzle control precision is improved, but temperature rise increases causing ink deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent switch operations based on accumulated temperature history. The system maintains nozzle control precision by performing switch operations when needed but periodically stops them when temperature thresholds are reached, preventing excessive temperature rise that would cause ink deterioration while preserving necessary control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the switch-operation stop controller monitors temperature history information and adjusts switch operation frequency accordingly. When temperature accumulation reaches a critical level, the controller provides feedback to stop further switch operations, thereby preventing excessive temperature rise while maintaining control precision through responsive switching when temperature conditions are safe.
4Productivity
If high-density nozzle arrangement is implemented, then printing capability is improved, but risk of ink deterioration increases due to heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent switch operations that allow heat dissipation cycles. This periodic control mechanism enables maintaining high-density nozzle arrangement for improved printing capability while periodically stopping operations to prevent heat-induced ink deterioration, thereby preserving ink stability alongside high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through the switch-operation stop controller that monitors temperature history and adjusts switch operations to prevent ink deterioration. This feedback mechanism enables maintaining high-density nozzle arrangement for improved printing capability while dynamically controlling heat generation to preserve ink stability, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
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 effectively suppresses temperature rises and current consumption, stabilizes ink properties, and ensures reliable ejection by minimizing heat-induced ink deterioration, allowing for the use of a wide range of ink types without compromising print quality.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element, a nozzle that ejects liquid when the piezoelectric element is driven
Data Source
AI summary
A piezoelectric print head includes a piezoelectric element; a nozzle that ejects liquid when the piezoelectric element is driven; a transmission gate that switches between supply and non-supply of a driving signal for driving the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element; a history-information memory that holds history information indicating history of ON or OFF of the transmission gate; and a switch-operation stop controller that stops a switch operation that causes the transmission gate to be turned OFF from ON or to be turned ON from OFF, in accordance with the history information.