Staggered Sub-Heater Control for Inkjet Recording Head Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of multiple heating elements on a recording head can lead to increased inrush current and induction noise when switched simultaneously, causing errors in data transmission and increased load on the electric circuit.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a sub-heater driving control system where the switching of heating elements from a non-driving to a driving state is staggered across different sub-heaters, with each sub-heater having a unique reading start position in the sub-heater driving table to avoid simultaneous switching and reduce inrush current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple heating elements are arranged on the substrate to control temperature distribution, then temperature control precision is improved, but inrush current superimposition occurs when switching simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing staggered switching intervals for multiple heating elements. Instead of switching all heating elements simultaneously, the control unit activates them sequentially at different time points within a periodic cycle. This temporal distribution of switching operations eliminates inrush current superimposition while maintaining effective temperature control across the substrate surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the switching timing of heating elements adjustable and adaptive. The control unit dynamically adjusts the switching intervals and sequences based on real-time temperature feedback and operational requirements. This dynamic control approach allows optimal balance between temperature uniformity and electrical load management.
2Speed
If multiple heating elements are switched from non-driving to driving state simultaneously, then temperature control response speed is improved, but induction noise increases causing data transmission errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic switching with staggered intervals for different heating elements. This approach maintains adequate temperature control response by ensuring heating elements are activated within controlled time windows, while the temporal separation prevents simultaneous switching that would generate excessive induction noise and data transmission errors.
3Device complexity
If a single heating element controls the entire substrate, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heating function into multiple independent heating elements distributed across the substrate. Each heating element is controlled separately by the control unit, which manages their switching sequences and intervals. This segmentation enables localized temperature control, achieving uniform temperature distribution across different substrate regions while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized control logic.
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 approach reduces the load on the electric circuit and minimizes induction noise by ensuring that inrush current is distributed differently across the sub-heaters, thereby improving data transmission reliability.
Implementation Method 1
heating elements different from the recording elements are further arranged... heating in the vicinity of the recording element by driving the heating element
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of recording elements for generating heat energy for discharging ink
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes a recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged to generate energy for discharging ink, a first heating element arranged to heat ink in the vicinity of one of said recording elements positioned at a first position, insufficiently to discharge ink, and a second heating element positioned at a second position different from the first position, which are arranged on a same substrate, a heating control unit configured to control the heating operation of the ink by driving the first and the second heating elements by applying voltage to the first and the second heating elements, and a recording control unit configured to control the recording operation by driving the plurality of recording elements, wherein the heating control unit is arranged to control the heating operation to drive the first heating element and the second heating element at timings different from each other.