Separation Circuit Temperature Stabilization in Printing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The resistance value of a switch in a printing apparatus varies with temperature, affecting the quality of liquid ejection from nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a print head and a controller, where the controller includes a multiplexing circuit and a separation circuit. The multiplexing circuit generates a time division multiplex signal to transmit first and second drive waveform data via a single signal line, and the separation circuit separates the drive waveform signals based on a synchronization signal, allowing the actuator to eject liquid based on the first drive waveform signal and increasing the temperature of the separation circuit without ejecting liquid based on the second drive waveform signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the resistance value of the switch varies with temperature, then the liquid ejection quality becomes unstable, but maintaining constant temperature requires additional heating control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful temperature variation effect into a beneficial stabilization mechanism. By intentionally applying a second drive waveform to the actuator after the first drive waveform, the system generates heat that raises the separation circuit temperature to a stable level. This previously harmful temperature fluctuation is transformed into a useful thermal stabilization process, ensuring consistent switch resistance and liquid ejection quality without requiring complex active cooling or heating control systems.
2Productivity
If time division multiplexing is used to transmit drive waveforms, then signal transmission efficiency improves, but the separation circuit temperature becomes unstable affecting switch resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the separation circuit before the actual liquid ejection process. The controller intentionally applies the second drive waveform to the actuator in advance, allowing the separation circuit temperature to stabilize to a predetermined level before the first drive waveform is applied for actual ejection. This preliminary thermal preparation ensures that when the multiplexed signal transmission occurs, the switch resistance is already stable, eliminating temperature-induced quality variations.
3Temperature
If the actuator is driven with the second drive waveform to increase separation circuit temperature, then switch resistance stabilizes, but liquid ejection does not occur during this phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between different drive waveform applications in a structured sequence. The controller applies the first drive waveform for liquid ejection, then applies the second drive waveform for thermal stabilization, creating a periodic cycle that alternates between production and maintenance functions. This periodic switching allows the system to achieve both liquid ejection productivity and temperature stability without requiring the actuator to perform both functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between temperature stabilization and ejection output.
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
The solution maintains the quality of liquid ejection from nozzles at a constant level by stabilizing the temperature of the separation circuit, thereby ensuring consistent printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid ejection device has been known that is configured to eject fluid (e.g., ink) from each nozzle by applying a selected one of a plurality of drive pulses to a corresponding piezoelectric element at appropriate timing
Implementation Method 2
A resistance value of a switch for selecting a drive pulse (from among the plurality of drive pulses included in a drive waveform signal) when the switch is turned on varies with temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a controller including a multiplexing circuit and a separation circuit. The multiplexing circuit generates a time division multiplex signal based on first data representing a first drive waveform and second data representing a second drive waveform. The separation circuit includes a switch to separate a first drive waveform signal indicating the first drive waveform or a second drive waveform signal indicating the second drive waveform from the time division multiplex signal based on a synchronization signal. The controller causes the switch to separate the first drive waveform signal from the time division multiplex signal to drive an actuator to cause a nozzle to eject liquid, and causes the switch to separate the second drive waveform signal from the time division multiplex signal to drive the actuator without causing the nozzle to eject the liquid, thereby increasing a temperature of the separation circuit.