Print Head Data Management for Inkjet Inspection Speed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharging apparatuses like inkjet printers, the increased number of nozzles leads to higher data transfer and processing demands, causing bottlenecks in inspection time due to thickening liquids and air bubbles, which affect image quality and printing speed.
Innovation Solution
A print head with a data management section that operates in two transfer modes: one for parallel data transfer during printing and another where it functions as a shift register for serial data transfer during inspection, allowing efficient control and inspection of discharging sections with reduced data transfer time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to increase printing speed, then productivity is improved, but the number of bits in the shift register increases causing current consumption to increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the data transfer mode changeable based on operational requirements. The data management section can switch between parallel transfer mode (for printing operations requiring high speed) and serial transfer mode (for inspection operations requiring low current consumption). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between printing speed and current consumption depending on the current operational context.
2Productivity
If the number of nozzles is increased to increase printing speed, then productivity is improved, but data transfer and processing become bottlenecks lengthening inspection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the data management section to switch between parallel and serial transfer modes based on operational needs. During printing operations, parallel transfer provides high speed performance. During inspection operations, the system can use serial transfer mode which reduces data transfer overhead and processing burden, thereby reducing inspection time even when the number of nozzles is large.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating data transfer into different modes for different operational phases. Printing data transfer uses parallel mode optimized for speed, while inspection data transfer uses serial mode optimized for efficiency. This segmentation allows each phase to use the most appropriate transfer method, preventing inspection from becoming a bottleneck.
3Productivity
If parallel data transfer is used during printing, then printing speed is improved, but data transfer complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the data management section to perform multiple functions: it can operate in parallel transfer mode for printing operations and in serial transfer mode for inspection operations. This multi-functionality allows a single data management section to handle both high-speed printing data transfer and simplified inspection data transfer, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high printing speed performance.
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 solution reduces current consumption and shortens inspection time, improving image quality and printing speed by optimizing data transfer and processing in the print head.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element is used for a liquid discharging apparatus, such as an ink jet printer, that discharges liquid, such as ink
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a print head including: multiple discharging sections, each of which discharges liquid based on a drive signal; and a data management section that includes a first data retention section and manages first control data that controls a state of each of the multiple discharging sections, and inspection target discharging-section designation data that designates the discharging section which is to be inspected, which is among the multiple discharging sections; and a drive waveform selection section that selects a waveform of the drive signal for each of the multiple discharging sections, in which the data management section has a first transfer mode in which the first control data is parallelly transferred to the first data retention section, and a second transfer mode in which the first data retention section is caused to operate as a shift register that serially transfers the inspection target discharging-section designation data.