Print Head Control Circuit Wiring Layout for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in increasing printing speed and high-definition printing due to waveform distortion of control signals, particularly the clock signal, which affects ink discharge timing and amount, with existing technologies lacking effective solutions to reduce signal waveform distortion.
Innovation Solution
A print head control circuit with specific wiring configurations, including adjacent or overlapping propagation wiring for clock and voltage signals, and ground signals, to reduce signal distortion and improve signal integrity, thereby enhancing discharge accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to achieve higher printing speed and definition, then printing productivity and quality are improved, but signal propagation distortion increases and waveform integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal propagation path into multiple controlled segments by introducing ground signal propagation wirings adjacent to each signal propagation wiring. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of each signal path, reducing cumulative distortion effects as the number of nozzles increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground signal propagation wirings act as intermediary elements between adjacent signal propagation wirings. These ground wirings serve as reference potential paths that shield and stabilize the signal wirings, reducing electromagnetic interference and waveform distortion without requiring changes to the fundamental signal transmission architecture.
2Speed
If the clock signal propagation speed is increased to improve printing speed, then productivity is improved, but signal waveform distortion increases affecting discharge timing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential reference paths by placing ground signal propagation wirings adjacent to signal propagation wirings. This equipotential arrangement provides a stable reference potential that compensates for voltage drops and timing variations, maintaining discharge timing accuracy even at higher clock signal propagation speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical arrangement parameters of the wiring layout by positioning ground signal propagation wirings immediately adjacent to signal propagation wirings. This parameter change optimizes the electromagnetic field distribution and reduces signal integrity degradation at higher frequencies.
3Reliability
If propagation wirings are arranged to reduce distortion, then signal integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground signal propagation wirings with the existing wiring structure by positioning them adjacent to and parallel with the signal propagation wirings. This merging approach achieves effective shielding and reference potential provision without requiring separate complex grounding structures, maintaining signal integrity while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground signal propagation wirings serve multiple functions: they provide reference potential, shield against electromagnetic interference, and establish return current paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, achieving improved signal integrity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A print head control circuit includes a first propagation wiring for propagating a clock signal input to a first terminal, a second propagation wiring for propagating a signal which is input to a second terminal and indicates a diagnosis result of a temperature abnormality detection circuit, and a fourth propagation wiring for propagating a second voltage signal input to a fourth terminal. When the second propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are electrically coupled to a print head, the second propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are electrically coupled to each other via the second terminal and the fourth terminal. The first propagation wiring and the second propagation wiring are located to be aligned. The first propagation wiring and the fourth propagation wiring are located to be adjacent to each other in a direction in which the first propagation wiring and the second propagation wiring are aligned.