Print Head Temperature Correction for Accurate Liquid Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses with piezoelectric elements do not adequately account for variations in temperature measurement characteristics, leading to potential inaccuracies in temperature measurement and discharge control.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a unit temperature measurement circuit to measure the head unit temperature and a temperature information output circuit that corrects temperature information based on both unit and head temperature signals, using a print head with a piezoelectric element, vibration plate, pressure chamber, and nozzle configuration to enhance temperature measurement accuracy and discharge control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature measurement section is provided inside the print head to measure ink temperature, then the temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but the temperature measurement characteristic variation is not corrected leading to potential inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by introducing a unit temperature measurement circuit that measures the temperature of the head unit and compares it with the head temperature measurement. The temperature information output circuit uses this feedback to correct the head temperature information, ensuring reliable temperature measurement despite variations in measurement characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the unit temperature measurement circuit - that measures the temperature of the head unit (which includes the ink). This intermediary measurement is then used to correct the direct head temperature measurement, providing a reliable reference that accounts for measurement characteristic variations.
2Reliability
If temperature correction is implemented using both unit temperature measurement and head temperature measurement, then temperature measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature information output circuit serves multiple functions: it receives both the unit temperature signal and head temperature signal, performs correction calculations, and outputs the corrected temperature information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate correction circuits, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the temperature correction function into the existing temperature information output circuit, combining the correction of head temperature information with the output function. This integration approach minimizes additional circuitry while achieving reliable temperature measurement through correction.
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
Improves temperature measurement accuracy and discharge control by correcting temperature information, leading to enhanced image quality and fixability of ink on the medium.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element which includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric body, in which the piezoelectric body is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode in a stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the piezoelectric body are stacked, and which is driven by receiving the drive signal
Implementation Method 2
a vibration plate that is positioned on one side of the piezoelectric element in the stacking direction, and is deformed by driving the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 3
a head temperature measurement section that is positioned on the other side of the vibration plate in the stacking direction, measures the head temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the pressure chamber
Implementation Method 4
a unit temperature measurement circuit that measures a temperature of the head unit as unit temperature information
Implementation Method 5
the temperature information output circuit corrects the head temperature information output as the temperature information signal based on the unit temperature information and the head temperature information which are input when the heat generation mechanism generates heat at a predetermined temperature
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus in which a temperature information output circuit to which a unit temperature signal output by a unit temperature measurement circuit included in a head unit that discharges a liquid to a medium based on a drive signal, and a head temperature signal output by a head temperature detection section of a print head and including head temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the print head are input, and which outputs a temperature information signal, corrects the head temperature information output as the temperature information signal based on unit temperature information and head temperature information which are input when a heat generation mechanism generates heat at a predetermined temperature.