Piezoelectric Droplet Ejection Device Nozzle Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed multi-nozzle ink-jet printing devices face challenges in precisely adjusting ink spread and processing speed, leading to image quality issues such as jitter at the edge of the image and excessive ink consumption.
Innovation Solution
A droplet ejection device with a latch circuit, output enable signal generating unit, drive waveform applying unit, and switching circuit that adjusts ink ejection by setting discharge data for each nozzle and generating output enable signals at varying intervals, allowing for precise control of ink spread and synchronization of drive waveforms with piezoelectric elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve high-speed printing, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in adjusting ink spread for each nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the drive voltage magnitude for each nozzle based on its specific characteristics. The control unit varies the voltage parameter across different nozzles to compensate for manufacturing variations, enabling uniform ink ejection despite the high number of nozzles (e.g., 204 nozzles per head). This allows high-speed printing while maintaining precise ink spread control.
2Manufacturing precision
If the drive voltage is adjusted to control ink spread, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for individual nozzle control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by using a common power supply line that serves all nozzles simultaneously. The control unit selectively activates individual nozzles or groups of nozzles by controlling the timing and magnitude of drive voltages applied through the shared power supply. This multi-functional approach enables precise individual nozzle control without requiring separate dedicated control circuits for each nozzle, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If the droplet diameter is increased to improve ink spread, then manufacturing precision is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to jitter at the edge of the output image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the drive voltage magnitude to optimize droplet diameter and ejection characteristics. By adjusting the voltage parameter for each nozzle based on its specific performance characteristics, the system achieves uniform ink spread while maintaining consistent droplet size. This prevents jitter at image edges and ensures high image quality alongside manufacturing precision.
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 high-precision adjustment of ink spread per unit area, suppressing jitter and improving image quality while optimizing ink usage and processing speed.
Implementation Method 1
a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element or heater element so that pressure is applied to the ink in the ink chamber having the nozzle as an opening, thereby ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a drive voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element or heater element so that pressure is applied to the ink in the ink chamber having the nozzle as an opening, thereby ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
In a droplet ejection device, a latch circuit acquires discharge data in which a resolution is set up for each resolution section in a transport direction of a recording medium, and sets data elements in each resolution section for respective ones of a plurality of nozzles. An output enable signal generating unit generates an output enable signal periodically at intervals of a different distance. A drive waveform applying unit applies a drive waveform to a common electrode line of piezoelectric elements of the nozzles in synchronization with the output enable signal, the drive waveform having a time to discharge each piezoelectric element gradually. A switching circuit turns on or off a switch based on a logical AND of the output enable signal and the discharge data and grounds an individual electrode of each piezoelectric element.