Piezoelectric Liquid Discharge Drive Pulse Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid discharge methods using piezoelectric elements are not compatible with rectangular wave-shaped drive pulses, and require adaptable drive pulses to accommodate varying recording conditions such as discharge amount, rate, and dot coverage.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharge method and apparatus that apply a drive pulse with varying potentials to a drive element, including a first, second, and third potential, where the second and third potentials are applied sequentially, allowing the drive pulse to adjust based on acquired recording conditions to achieve specific discharge characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rectangular wave-shaped drive pulse is applied to a heat generating element, then the drive signal can be simple and easy to generate, but it is not compatible with piezoelectric elements which require different pulse characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of drive signal generationVSAvoidcompatibility with different drive elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive pulse waveform is made dynamically adjustable with multiple potential levels (first, second, and third potentials) that can be varied depending on the recording condition and drive element type. This allows the same basic pulse structure to adapt to different element characteristics while maintaining compatibility across piezoelectric and heat generating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the drive pulse, specifically the potential levels, to accommodate different drive elements. By defining a pulse structure with variable first, second, and third potentials, the system can optimize performance for piezoelectric elements while maintaining the fundamental rectangular wave structure that is easy to generate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a fixed drive pulse waveform is used, then the system is simple to control, but it cannot accommodate varying recording conditions such as discharge amount, discharge rate, and dot coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to recording conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive pulse waveform is made dynamically adjustable with multiple potential levels (first, second, and third potentials) that can be varied depending on the recording condition and drive element type. This allows the same basic pulse structure to adapt to different element characteristics while maintaining compatibility across piezoelectric and heat generating elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the drive pulse, specifically the potential levels, to accommodate different drive elements. By defining a pulse structure with variable first, second, and third potentials, the system can optimize performance for piezoelectric elements while maintaining the fundamental rectangular wave structure that is easy to generate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single potential drive pulse is applied, then the pulse structure is simple, but it cannot achieve various discharge characteristics required for different recording conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepulse structure simplicityVSAvoiddischarge characteristic variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive pulse is segmented into multiple potential levels (first potential, second potential, and third potential) applied in sequence. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each potential level to achieve specific discharge characteristics while maintaining an overall simple rectangular wave structure that is easy to generate and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 the realization of various discharge characteristics, improving the formation of dots on a recording medium by dynamically adjusting the drive pulse in response to recording conditions, enhancing discharge efficiency and quality.

Implementation Method 1

When the drive element is a piezoelectric element, the rectangular wave-shaped drive pulse as disclosed in JP-A-5-31905 is not compatible with the drive element.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11602931B2Liquid discharge method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing drive pulse determination program, and liquid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid discharge method of discharging a liquid from a nozzle of a liquid discharge head by applying a drive pulse to a drive element of the liquid discharge head includes an acquisition step of acquiring a recording condition, and a driving step of applying the drive pulse to the drive element. The drive pulse includes a first potential, a second potential different from the first potential, and a third potential different from the first potential and the second potential. The second potential is to be applied after the first potential, and the third potential is to be applied after the second potential. In the liquid discharge method, in the driving step, the drive pulse having the first potential that varies depending on the recording condition acquired in the acquisition step is applied to the drive element.