Piezoelectric Inkjet Head Crosstalk Evaluation Using Residual Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in evaluating and preventing structural crosstalk between nozzles due to varying use conditions, particularly when the head manufacturer and printing apparatus manufacturer have different assumptions about ink conditions, leading to an excessive load on the printing apparatus manufacturer.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a detection circuit to detect residual vibrations of diaphragms caused by piezoelectric elements in both ejection and holding states, allowing for the evaluation of crosstalk between nozzles based on these vibrations, and a control portion to determine appropriate waveforms for drive signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the head manufacturer determines the use condition and evaluates crosstalk during head manufacturing, then the evaluation can be performed under controlled conditions, but the manufacturer may not accurately reflect actual use conditions determined by the printing apparatus manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a detection portion and control portion in the liquid ejecting head that enable preliminary detection of residual vibrations and evaluation of crosstalk characteristics. This preliminary action allows the head manufacturer to assess crosstalk under various simulated conditions before the head is installed in the printing apparatus, while still maintaining the ability to adapt to different ink conditions through programmable detection sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing the detection portion to measure residual vibrations under different driving conditions (ejection signals versus holding signals) and different ink conditions. The control portion processes these measurements to evaluate crosstalk characteristics, accommodating variations in ink properties that different manufacturers may specify.
2Reliability
If the printing apparatus manufacturer determines the appropriate waveform of drive signals, then accurate crosstalk prevention can be achieved, but this causes an excessive load on the printing apparatus manufacturer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the detection portion to measure residual vibrations and feed this information back to the control portion. The control portion then determines the appropriate waveform of drive signals based on this feedback, automatically adjusting the driving conditions to prevent crosstalk. This feedback mechanism reduces the burden on the printing apparatus manufacturer by automating the waveform determination process.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ejecting head performs self-service by incorporating the detection and control functions directly into the head assembly. The head automatically detects residual vibrations, evaluates crosstalk characteristics, and determines appropriate drive waveforms without requiring external intervention or complex processing by the printing apparatus manufacturer.
3Measurement precision
If residual vibration detection is implemented to evaluate crosstalk, then accurate measurement of crosstalk can be achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection function with the existing liquid ejecting head structure. The detection portion is integrated into the head assembly, combining the measurement of residual vibrations with the driving mechanism. This merging approach enables accurate crosstalk measurement while minimizing additional device complexity by utilizing the existing structural components of the liquid ejecting head.
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 approach enables effective evaluation and prevention of crosstalk, reducing the burden on the printing apparatus manufacturer by allowing for accurate determination of drive signal waveforms, thus improving print quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejecting head that includes a first nozzle which ejects a liquid, a second nozzle which is disposed at a position different from a position of the first nozzle and ejects the liquid, a first piezoelectric element which corresponds to the first nozzle, a second piezoelectric element which corresponds to the second nozzle, a diaphragm which vibrates by driving at least one of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a detection portion which detects residual vibration of the diaphragm caused by driving at least one of the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that includes a detection circuit which detects residual vibration of a diaphragm caused by driving of at least one of a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element corresponding to nozzles, and an evaluation control portion, in which the evaluation control portion causes the detection circuit to detect first residual vibration caused by driving the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element with a drive signal for ejecting an ink, from the first piezoelectric element, causes the detection circuit to detect second residual vibration caused by driving the first piezoelectric element with the drive signal and driving the second piezoelectric element with another drive signal for not ejecting the ink, from the first piezoelectric element, and evaluates crosstalk between the nozzles based on the first residual vibration and the second residual vibration detected by the detection circuit.