Virtual Nozzle-Fire-Restart Line for Inkjet Printers

Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing cost of fluid-ejection devices, such as inkjet printers, is increased by the need for a physical nozzle-fire-restart line, which is costly and impractical for low-end consumer devices, and limits the functionality of these devices, especially when multiple fluid-ejection mechanisms are involved.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line replaces the physical nozzle-fire-restart line, allowing for the same functionality without the need for actual conductive traces, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and enabling asynchronous operation of multiple fluid-ejection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical nozzle-fire-restart line is used, then the device can signal the start of nozzle data transmission, but the manufacturing cost increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle data transmission synchronizationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical electrical connection (mechanical/electrical system) with a wireless communication system. The controller transmits nozzle data and synchronization signals wirelessly to the fluid-ejection mechanism, eliminating the need for physical conductive traces and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits both the nozzle data and the synchronization signals (originally requiring separate physical lines). This multi-functionality reduces the number of physical connections needed while maintaining all necessary control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a physical nozzle-fire-restart line is used, then the device can control nozzle firing, but the device complexity increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle control functionalityVSAvoidphysical connection structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical electrical connection (mechanical/electrical system) with a wireless communication system. The controller transmits nozzle data and synchronization signals wirelessly to the fluid-ejection mechanism, eliminating the need for physical conductive traces and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static physical connection structure to a dynamic wireless communication system that can flexibly transmit multiple types of data and control signals. This allows the system to adapt to different operational modes and configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a physical nozzle-fire-restart line is used, then the device can transmit control signals, but space constraints increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal transmissionVSAvoiddevice space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical electrical connection (mechanical/electrical system) with a wireless communication system. The controller transmits nozzle data and synchronization signals wirelessly to the fluid-ejection mechanism, eliminating the need for physical conductive traces and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8770685B2Logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart-line for fluid-ejection device

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A fluid-ejection device includes physical data lines, a controller, and a fluid-ejection mechanism. The physical data lines communicatively connect the controller and the fluid-ejection mechanism. The controller is to assert a logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line to denote that a first data sub-packet of a new data packet of nozzle data for a predetermined sequence of fluid-ejection nozzles of the fluid-ejection mechanism is being transmitted over the physical data lines. The fluid-ejection mechanism is to listen for the controller to assert the logical and virtual nozzle-fire-restart line, to discern that the first data sub-packet of the new data packet is being transmitted over the physical data lines.