Piezo Print Head Temperature Feedback for Precise Liquid Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection apparatuses with piezoelectric elements lack sufficient accuracy in ink ejection control due to insufficient temperature detection within the print head, leading to inefficiencies in temperature management and ejection precision.
Innovation Solution
A print head design incorporating a temperature detection unit on one side of the piezoelectric element stack, which corrects drive signals based on multiple temperature readings at different timings to improve ejection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature detection unit is provided inside the print head, then the detection accuracy of the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber is improved, but the ejection accuracy of the ejected ink is still insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the temperature detection unit continuously monitors the temperature of the ink in the pressure chamber, and the drive signal correction unit adjusts the drive signals based on detected temperature changes. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that ejection accuracy is maintained by dynamically compensating for temperature-induced variations in ink properties and piezoelectric element performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the piezoelectric element based on temperature conditions. The drive signal correction unit modifies drive signal parameters (voltage, pulse width, frequency) according to the detected temperature, thereby compensating for temperature effects on ink viscosity and piezoelectric element characteristics to maintain consistent ejection accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple temperature readings at different timings are used to correct drive signals, then the ejection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature detection unit serves multiple functions: it detects temperature for drive signal correction, monitors thermal conditions for potential overheating prevention, and provides data for overall print head thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved ejection accuracy through multiple temperature readings.
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
Enhances the precision and accuracy of ink ejection by dynamically adjusting drive signals based on real-time temperature measurements, thereby improving the quality of printed images.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric body being located between the first electrode and the second electrode in a stacked direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the piezoelectric body are stacked, the piezoelectric element being driven by receiving the drive signal
Implementation Method 2
a vibration plate located on one side of the piezoelectric element in the stacked direction and deformed by driving the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
a temperature detection unit that is located on the other side of the vibration plate in the stacked direction and detects a temperature of the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A print head includes an ejection module that ejects a liquid by receiving a corrected drive signal, wherein the ejection module includes a piezoelectric element including a piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric body being located between a first electrode and a second electrode, a pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the vibration plate in the stacked direction and provided with a pressure chamber whose volume changes due to deformation of the vibration plate, a nozzle that ejects a liquid according to a change in volume of the pressure chamber, and a temperature detection unit that is located on the other side of the vibration plate, wherein the drive signal is corrected based on N pieces of temperature information, where N is a natural number of 2 or more, corresponding to the temperature of the pressure chamber detected by the temperature detection unit at different timings.