Three-Tubular Conductor Transmission Cable for Printing Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In printing apparatuses with liquid ejection heads, voltage signal distortions during transmission lead to inconsistent ink ejection, affecting print quality, particularly when using long transmission cables that increase inductance and resistance, making it difficult to bend and move the carriage without interfering with the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus configuration using a coaxial cable with three tubular conductors, where one conductor transmits a first voltage signal, another in a constant-voltage state transmits a second voltage signal, and a third conductor is in a constant-voltage applied state, reducing signal distortions without increasing the number of transmission cables or conductors, allowing for selective supply of voltage signals to piezoelectric elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the length of transmission cables is increased to accommodate larger movement distance of the carriage, then the transmission distance is improved, but the signal distortion increases due to increased inductance and resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission cable is segmented into multiple sections with branching conductors. Instead of using a single long cable, the system divides the transmission path into segments, allowing signal distribution to multiple piezoelectric elements while maintaining lower inductance and resistance in each segment. This segmentation reduces overall signal distortion while accommodating the carriage's movement distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested conductor structure where multiple conductors are arranged concentrically or in close proximity within the same cable assembly. This nesting allows multiple signal paths to share the same physical space, reducing the overall cable length and minimizing inductance and resistance effects while still providing adequate signal distribution to multiple elements.
2Reliability
If the number of conductors is increased to reduce signal distortion through branching, then the signal transmission quality is improved, but the flexibility of the cable deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple conductors are merged into a single integrated cable assembly rather than using separate cables. The branching conductors are combined within one flexible flat cable structure, maintaining signal transmission quality through proper conductor arrangement while preserving the overall flexibility of the unified cable assembly for carriage movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible flat cable construction with thin film insulators and flexible conductor materials. This allows multiple conductors to be arranged in a flexible substrate that can bend and move with the carriage, maintaining both signal transmission quality and mechanical flexibility through the use of flexible materials and thin-film technology.
3Reliability
If coaxial cables are used to reduce signal distortion and external interference, then the signal transmission quality is improved, but the cable rigidity increases making carriage movement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid coaxial cables with flexible flat cable construction. The signal transmission quality previously achieved by coaxial cables is maintained through careful conductor arrangement and shielding within the flexible flat cable structure, while the thin-film and flexible material construction enables the cable to bend and move with the carriage without interference.
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 configuration reduces voltage signal distortions, improves print quality by enabling precise ink ejection, and facilitates the movement of the carriage by minimizing interference from external influences and crosstalk between transmission cables.
Implementation Method 1
a first tubular conductor including a hollow core and configured to transmit the first voltage signal
Implementation Method 2
a second tubular conductor disposed over an outer circumference of the first tubular conductor with a first insulator between the outer circumference of the first tubular conductor and an inner circumference of the second tubular conductor and being in a constant-voltage applied state
Implementation Method 3
a third tubular conductor disposed over an outer circumference of the second tubular conductor with a second insulator between the outer circumference of the second tubular conductor and an inner circumference of the third tubular conductor and configured to transmit the second voltage signal
Implementation Method 4
supply each of at least one specified piezoelectric element among the piezoelectric elements with one of the received voltage signals so as to allow the each of at least one specified piezoelectric element to eject liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus including a voltage signal generation circuit configured to generate a plurality of voltage signals including a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal; and at least one transmission cable configured to transmit the plurality of voltage signals, the transmission cable including a first tubular conductor including a hollow core and configured to transmit the first voltage signal, a second tubular conductor disposed over an outer circumference of the first tubular conductor with a first insulator between the outer circumference of the first tubular conductor and an inner circumference of the second tubular conductor and being in a constant-voltage applied state, and a third tubular conductor disposed over an outer circumference of the second tubular conductor with a second insulator between the outer circumference of the second tubular conductor and an inner circumference of the third tubular conductor and configured to transmit the second voltage signal.