Print Element Board With Selectable Drive Signals for Peak Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increase in the number of print elements in print element boards due to higher image quality and printing speed requirements leads to power supply challenges, and existing time-division driving methods increase printing time, hindering high-speed performance.
Innovation Solution
A print element board design incorporating multiple drive elements, a drive signal generation circuit, and a drive signal selection circuit that allows for the selection of different drive signals based on an operation switching signal, enabling flexible operation modes to balance high image quality and speed by optimizing the timing of print element activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple print elements are driven in time-division blocks with shifted timings, then peak current value is suppressed, but printing time increases in proportion to the number of time divisions
Solution Approach 1:
The print elements are divided into multiple groups (first print elements and second print elements), with each group having dedicated drive elements. This segmentation allows independent control of different groups, enabling parallel processing of different print element blocks while maintaining current suppression benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive signal selection circuit dynamically selects between first drive signals and second drive signals based on an operation switching signal. This dynamic selection capability allows the system to switch between different driving modes (time-division with current suppression vs. parallel driving for speed), resolving the contradiction between current suppression and printing speed.
2Productivity
If the number of print elements is increased for higher image quality and printing speed, then image quality and speed improve, but power supply challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The print element board is segmented into multiple independent groups, each with its own drive elements. This allows the power supply to be distributed across multiple smaller power domains rather than requiring one large power supply, making it easier to manage power delivery to a large total number of print elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple drive signal generation circuits are combined into a single integrated circuit that can generate both first drive signals and second drive signals. This merging reduces the overall number of terminals and simplifies the power supply architecture while supporting a large number of print elements.
3Power
If multiple drive signals are supplied in separate series in time division, then peak current is suppressed, but time required for printing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic switching capability between time-division driving mode (for current suppression) and parallel driving mode (for speed). The drive signal selection circuit responds to operation switching signals to select appropriate drive signals, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements and resolve the time-current tradeoff.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the timing parameters of drive signals dynamically. First drive signals and second drive signals have different timing characteristics, and the selection between them allows optimization of both current suppression and printing speed by adjusting signal timing parameters based on operational needs.
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 design reduces peak current and voltage drops, allowing for high image quality and reduced printing time by selectively adjusting the drive signals, thus enhancing overall printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
electro-thermal transducing elements (heaters) are provided as print elements in portions communicating with ejection ports from which ink droplets are ejected, and an electric current is supplied to these heaters to generate heat and cause the ink droplets to be ejected by film boiling of the ink
Implementation Method 2
a drive signal selection circuit configured to select both or one of the first drive signal and the second drive signal based on an externally-supplied operation switching signal
Data Source
AI summary
A print element board includes: a plurality of first print elements; a plurality of second print elements; a plurality of first drive elements configured to drive the plurality of first print elements; a plurality of second drive elements configured to drive the plurality of second print elements; a drive signal generation circuit configured to generate a first drive signal and a second drive signal; and a drive signal selection circuit configured to select both or one of the first drive signal and the second drive signal based on an externally-supplied operation switching signal, and at least one of the first drive elements and at least one of the second drive elements operate based on the drive signal selected by the drive signal selection circuit.