Printhead Element Substrate with Time-Division Drive Signal Generation

Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in the number of print elements driven in element substrates for printing apparatuses leads to issues with power supply and manufacturing costs due to the need for additional drive signals and terminals, which can double the size of the element substrate and increase manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

An element substrate is designed to internally generate multiple drive signals by dividing drive elements into blocks and using a selector to switch signal destinations within one block period, allowing for time-divisional driving without increasing the number of terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the number of drive signals is increased to drive more print elements, then the printing capability is improved, but the number of terminals increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidnumber of terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive elements are divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, etc.), and each block is driven by separate drive signals generated at different timings. This segmentation allows multiple drive elements to be controlled without proportionally increasing the number of external terminals, as the division is managed internally within the element substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Drive signals are generated at different timings in a time-divisional manner, where the first drive signal drives elements in the first block during a first period, and the second drive signal drives elements in the second block during a second period. This periodic action allows multiple blocks to be driven sequentially using a single terminal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If the number of drive signals is increased to drive more print elements, then the printing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drive elements are divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, etc.), and each block is driven by separate drive signals generated at different timings. This segmentation allows multiple drive elements to be controlled without proportionally increasing the number of external terminals, as the division is managed internally within the element substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Drive signals are generated at different timings in a time-divisional manner, where the first drive signal drives elements in the first block during a first period, and the second drive signal drives elements in the second block during a second period. This periodic action allows multiple blocks to be driven sequentially using a single terminal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of energy

If drive elements are divided into blocks and driven at different timings, then current peaks are suppressed, but the number of drive signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent peak suppressionVSAvoidnumber of drive signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Drive signals are generated at different timings in a time-divisional manner, where the first drive signal drives elements in the first block during a first period, and the second drive signal drives elements in the second block during a second period. This periodic action allows multiple blocks to be driven sequentially using a single terminal structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12496820B2Element substrate, liquid discharge head, and printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 CANON KK

AI summary

An element substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of print elements and a plurality of drive elements for driving the plurality of print elements. The element substrate comprises a generation circuit configured to generate a first drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a first group among the plurality of drive elements, and a second drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a second group among the plurality of drive elements, using a selector configured to switch a signal transmitted from outside of the element substrate and an output destination of the signal within one block period in driving the plurality of drive elements by dividing the plurality of elements into the plurality of blocks. The first drive signal and the second drive signal are generated at different timings.