A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate that includes a plurality of nozzles through which liquid is ejected in a first direction, the nozzle plate having a first surface that faces the first direction and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a nozzle cover that faces the first surface of the nozzle plate and has openings at locations corresponding to the nozzles, and a flow path member that contacts the second surface of the nozzle plate and forms one or more flow paths of the liquid that communicate with the nozzles. The nozzle plate is flexible and includes: a damper portion that extends across one of the flow paths, and a bonding portion that is bonded to the flow path member. The nozzle cover is bonded to the nozzle plate at a location other than the damper portion of the nozzle plate.
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction, each pressure chamber storing liquid, pairs of upstream and downstream flow paths, each pair communicating with a corresponding one of the pressure chambers, an upstream common chamber communicating with the upstream flow paths, an upstream port communicating with the upstream common chamber, a downstream common chamber communicating with the downstream flow paths, a downstream port communicating with the downstream common chamber, a bypass flow path connected between, and communicating with, the upstream and downstream common chambers, a bypass resistance flow path that communicates with the bypass flow path, and one or more pressure dampers including a first damper region located upstream side of the bypass resistance flow path and a second damper region located downstream side of the bypass resistance flow path.
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction and storing liquid, pairs of upstream and downstream flow paths, each pair communicating with a corresponding one of the pressure chambers, an upstream common chamber communicating with the upstream flow paths, an upstream port communicating with the upstream common chamber, a downstream common chamber communicating with the downstream flow paths, a downstream port communicating with the downstream common chamber, and a bypass flow path communicating with the upstream and downstream common chambers. Each of the upstream flow paths is inclined in a direction against a flow of the liquid in the upstream common chamber, and each of the downstream flow paths is inclined in a direction against a flow of the liquid in the downstream common chamber.
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate including a nozzle, a pressure chamber that is capable of storing liquid and communicates with the nozzle, a volume of the pressure chamber being varied to eject the liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume of the pressure chamber in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the drive signal that includes a plurality of ejection waveforms. One of the ejection waveforms follows a preceding ejection waveform after an intermediate time period. The drive circuit is configured to set the intermediate time period based on an ejection speed of the liquid that is 0.2 times or more and 2 times or less of a half cycle of a natural vibration period of the liquid in the pressure chamber.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle, a volume of the chamber being varied to eject liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the signal. The signal includes n ejection waveforms each including an ejection pulse including an expansion portion and a contraction portion. At least one of the ejection waveforms includes a damping pulse that is subsequent to the ejection pulse and includes a contraction portion and an expansion portion. The ejection waveforms include consecutive ejection waveforms that are separated by an intermediate time period that is in a range of 0.2 times or more and 2 times or less a half cycle of a natural vibration period of the liquid in the chamber.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An inkjet head includes a plurality of actuators each configured to eject ink through a corresponding one of nozzles, the actuators including first actuators corresponding to first nozzles that are enabled to eject ink and second actuators corresponding to second nozzles that are disabled from ejecting ink, a drive circuit configured to drive the actuators in accordance with input data, and a data transfer circuit configured to: acquire first image data associating each of the first nozzles with images to be formed, add, to the first image data, dummy image data associated with the second nozzles, and output the first image data to which the dummy image data has been added to the drive circuit as the input data.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction and respectively communicating with nozzles, each pressure chamber capable of storing liquid, pairs of upstream and downstream flow paths, each pair communicating with a pressure chamber, an upstream common chamber communicating with the upstream flow paths, a downstream common chamber communicating with the downstream flow paths, and a bypass flow path communicating with the upstream and downstream common chambers. A circulation flow rate of the liquid is greater than or equal to a maximum total ejection flow rate of the liquid ejected from the nozzles. The circulation flow rate is a flow rate at which the liquid flowing through the upstream flow paths to the downstream flow paths when a flow rate of the liquid entering from the upstream port is substantially equal to a flow rate of the liquid exiting through the downstream port.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction and respectively communicating with nozzles, pairs of upstream and downstream flow paths extending in a second direction different from the first direction, each pair communicating with a pressure chamber, the upstream path connected to a first end of the corresponding chamber, and the downstream path of said each pair connected to a second end of the chamber, an upstream common chamber communicating with the upstream paths, a downstream common chamber communicating with the downstream paths, and a bypass flow path communicating with the upstream chamber at an end thereof and the downstream chamber at an end thereof. Each upstream path has an inlet connected to the upstream chamber and an outlet connected to the corresponding chamber, the inlet widening toward the end of the upstream chamber.
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers arranged in a first direction and respectively communicating with nozzles, each pressure chamber for storing liquid, pairs of upstream and downstream flow paths, each pair communicating with a pressure chamber, the upstream and downstream flow paths of each pair being connected to first and second ends of the corresponding pressure chamber, an upstream common chamber communicating with the upstream flow paths, a downstream common chamber communicating with the downstream flow paths, a bypass flow path communicating with the upstream common chamber at an end of the upstream common chamber in the first direction and the downstream common chamber at an end of the downstream common chamber in the first direction, and a pressure damper provided in the bypass flow path.
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber storing liquid and communicating with the nozzle, a volume of the chamber being varied to eject the liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume in response to a signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the signal. The signal includes ejection waveforms, each including: expansion waveforms to expand the volume, and contraction waveforms to contract the volume. One of the expansion waveforms and one of the contraction waveforms cancel out vibrations of an acoustic resonance frequency higher than a main acoustic resonance frequency of the liquid in the chamber, and the vibrations are caused by a preceding expansion waveform followed by the one of the expansion waveforms and a preceding contraction waveforms followed by the one of the contraction waveforms.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber capable of storing liquid and communicating with the nozzle, a volume of the chamber being varied to eject the liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume of the chamber in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the signal. The signal includes a plurality of ejection waveforms having waveform widths that are substantially the same and are different from a half cycle of a main acoustic resonance frequency of the liquid in the chamber. An interval between centers of two of the ejection waveforms that are adjacent to each other coincides with a period between generation of a residual vibration of the liquid in the pressure chamber by one of the two ejection waveforms and strengthening of the residual vibration by the other of the two ejection waveforms.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection device includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber, a volume of which is varied to eject liquid from the nozzle, a piezoelectric element configured to vary the volume in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the drive signal that includes a first ejection waveform, a first holding waveform subsequent to the first ejection waveform, a second ejection waveform subsequent to the first holding waveform, a second holding waveform subsequent to the second ejection waveform, a contraction waveform subsequent to the second holding waveform, a third ejection waveform subsequent to the contraction waveform, and a third holding waveform subsequent to the third ejection waveform. A time between the centers of the second and third ejection waveforms is longer than a time between the centers of the first and the second ejection waveforms.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, pressure chambers each storing liquid and communicating with a nozzle, a volume of each chamber being varied to eject the liquid from the nozzle, piezoelectric elements each configured to vary the volume in response to a drive signal, an integrated circuit configured to generate the signal, a first line through which a first voltage is supplied, its voltage level being held constant, a second line through which a second voltage is supplied, its voltage level varying, a first capacitor connected to the first line, and a first switch circuit configured to selectively connect the integrated circuit to either the first or second lines. The integrated circuit generates the signal using either the first or second voltage, and a capacitance of the first capacitor is no less than a total capacitance of the piezoelectric elements.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber that is capable of storing liquid and communicates with the nozzle, a volume of the pressure chamber being varied to eject the liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume of the pressure chamber in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the drive signal. The pressure chamber has one of states including: a steady state in which the volume is unchanged, an expanded state in which the volume is expanded, and a contracted state in which the volume is contracted. The drive signal includes first through fourth waveforms. A duration of the fourth waveform is shorter than a duration of the third waveform, and is at least 1 μs or 0.5 times a half cycle of a main acoustic resonance frequency of the liquid in the pressure chamber.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle, a pressure chamber that is capable of storing liquid and communicates with the nozzle, a volume of the chamber being variable to eject the liquid from the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary the volume in response to a drive signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the signal. The chamber has one of states including a steady state in which the volume is unchanged, an expanded state in which the volume is expanded, a first contracted state in which the volume is contracted, and a second contracted state in which the volume is further contracted. The drive signal comprises a first waveform for transitioning from the steady state to the first contracted state, a second waveform for transitioning from the first to second contracted states, and a third waveform for transitioning from the second contracted state to the steady state.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles arranged in a first direction, pressure chambers that are capable of storing liquid and communicate with the nozzles, a volume of each pressure chamber being varied to eject the liquid through the corresponding nozzle, a base structure, an actuator structure between the pressure chambers and the base structure and including piezoelectric elements and electrodes respectively connected to the piezoelectric elements, each element being capable of varying a volume of a corresponding one of the pressure chambers according to a drive signal input through the corresponding electrode, a drive circuit configured to output the drive signals, a connector that connects the drive circuit to the electrodes of the actuator, the connector having three or more through holes along the first direction, and bonding parts in the through holes and by which the connector and the base structure are bonded.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate including a plurality of nozzles from which liquid is ejected, a first substrate facing the nozzle plate and in which a plurality of pressure chambers each communicating with a corresponding one of the nozzles are formed, and a first vibrating plate on the first substrate, forming walls of the pressure chambers, and capable of vibrating to cause the liquid to be ejected from each of the nozzles independently. The first vibrating plate includes a central part at which the walls of the pressure chambers are formed and a pair of thin-wall parts by which the central part is sandwiched, a thickness of the thin-wall parts being smaller than that of the central part.
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate including nozzles arranged in a first direction, pressure chambers arranged along the first direction and capable of storing liquid, each pressure chamber communicating with one of the nozzles, a structure including a first base portion continuously extending along the first direction and first actuator elements separate from each other, each actuator element extending from the first base portion to one of the pressure chambers, first electrodes separate from each other, each first electrode extending from one side surface of the base portion to one side surface of one of the actuator elements, and a first driving circuit connected to each of the first electrodes on said one side surface of the first base portion and configured to output signals for actuating the first actuator elements to the first electrodes.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
19.
LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles, volumes thereof being varied to eject liquid through the nozzles, an actuator varying the volumes according to drive waveforms respectively applied to the chambers, a signal processing circuit configured to, upon receipt of an instruction, acquire first data indicating first waveforms and second data indicating second waveforms, and determine third waveforms based on differences between the first and second waveforms, the third and second waveforms being applied to the chambers at first and second timings, and a drive circuit configured to output the drive waveforms generated by the signal processing circuit to the pressure chambers. One of the third drive waveforms is different from or identical to a corresponding one of the first drive waveforms depending on whether said one of the first drive waveforms and a corresponding one of the second drive waveforms match a predetermined pattern.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
20.
LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LIQUID EJECTION HEAD
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles through which liquid is ejected, pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles, volumes of the chambers being varied to eject the liquid, a substrate including an electrode on a surface of the substrate, an actuator connected to the electrode and configured to vary the volumes, the actuator having a first side surface connected to the surface of the substrate, a first cover member that covers the first side surface and includes openings each facing one of the chambers, the openings having larger fluid resistance than the chambers, an insulating material between the surface of the substrate and the first cover member, and an insulating film that covers the electrode on the substrate.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
21.
LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles arranged in a first direction, pressure chambers respectively communicating with the nozzles, a volume of each chamber being varied to eject liquid through the nozzle, an actuator varying the volumes according to drive waveforms applied to the chambers, and a drive circuit generating a drive waveform for each chamber with a delay time to cause the liquid to be ejected with the delay time. The drive circuit determines the delay time to be a sum of: a first delay time for the particular chamber, the first delay time for all the chambers varying so as to have a triangular wave shape with respect to positions of the chambers, and a second delay time for the particular chamber, the second delay time for all the chambers varying so as to have a periodic wave shape with respect to the positions of the chambers.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
22.
LIQUID EJECTION HEAD AND LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS
A liquid ejection head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays extending along a first direction and through which liquid is ejected towards a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a plurality of substrates extending along the first and second directions, the substrates corresponding to the nozzle arrays, a plurality of heat generating circuits each disposed on a corresponding one of the substrates, a temperature control structure that contacts the heat generating circuits for controlling temperature thereof, and one or more plate springs each biased to push one or more of the heat generating circuits against the temperature control structure.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes pressure chambers, each connected to a nozzle. A first-side common chamber is on one side of the pressure chambers and a second-side common chamber is on another side of the pressure chambers. Coupling flow channels connect the pressure chambers to the first-side common chamber and the second-side common liquid chamber. A cross-sectional area of each pressure chamber taken perpendicular to a first direction between the first- and second-side common chambers is less than or equal to 0.01 mm2. A cross-sectional area of each coupling flow channel taken perpendicular to the first direction is less than one quarter of the cross-sectional area of each pressure chamber.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection drive device includes a drive circuit configured to apply a drive signal to an actuator for driving an ejection of a liquid from a pressure chamber connected to a nozzle. The drive signal includes a multidrop waveform with a plurality of drop waveforms each for causing one droplet to be ejected. Each drop waveform has an expansion phase, a normal phase, and a contraction phase. At least one drop waveform in the plurality of drop waveforms is an adjustment drop waveform having an auxiliary contraction phase in which contraction of the pressure chamber is less than in the (full) contraction phase. This auxiliary contraction phase is after the expansion phase but before the (full) contraction phase.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
In an embodiment, a setting value data providing system includes a web server to receive, from a client device, drive condition parameters of an ink jet head and physical property parameters of an ink to be used by the ink jet head. The system further includes a setting value data calculation unit to estimate a suitable drive waveform for the ink jet head using a drive waveform estimation algorithm and the drive condition parameters and the physical property parameters of the ink and then calculate setting value data for generating the suitable drive waveform for the ink jet head. The web server outputs the calculated setting value data to the client device for use in a printer or the like incorporating the ink jet head.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 29/00 - Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
According to an embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a vibration plate, a nozzle plate with nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers between the vibration plate and the nozzle plate, and a piezoelectric member on a side of the vibration plate opposite of the pressure chambers. The piezoelectric member includes drive elements in a first area opposed to the pressure chambers via the vibration plate and configured to selectively vibrate the vibration plate to generate pressure changes in the pressure chambers and a plurality of pillar elements in a second area outside the first area and not opposed to the pressure chambers. The vibration plate includes at least one alignment mark at a position opposed to the second area of the piezoelectric member.
A drive device includes a drive circuit to output a drive signal that is to be applied to an actuator of a liquid ejection head for ejecting liquid droplets. The drive signal includes an adjustment ejection waveform portion that includes a first portion having an expansion pulse that decreases pressure in a pressure chamber of the actuator and a second portion having a contraction pulse that increases pressure in the pressure chamber. The contraction pulse includes voltage increase changes that change the voltage applied to the actuator stepwise and a return pulse that is between a pair of voltage increase changes. The return pulse changes from a first voltage level that is less than a maximum voltage level of the contraction pulse to a second voltage level that is greater than a minimum voltage level of the expansion pulse.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
28.
Inkjet head driving circuit that avoids unwanted high-frequency actuator vibration
According to one embodiment, an inkjet head driving circuit includes a waveform pattern generation unit configured to generate a waveform pattern based on input data and a driving waveform generation unit configured to generate a driving waveform for driving an actuator of an inkjet head based on the generated waveform pattern. The driving waveform generation unit includes a power source configured to supply a driving voltage for the actuator, a plurality of switch elements for connecting the power source to the actuator, and a driving waveform output unit that outputs the driving waveform to the actuator by switching of the plurality of switch elements based on the waveform pattern. The waveform pattern changes the number of switch elements that are turned on in a section of the driving waveform within one cycle of the driving waveform for causing the actuator to eject an ink droplet.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
H03K 17/30 - Modifications for providing a predetermined threshold before switching
According to an embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles. A plurality of actuator grooves form a plurality of pressure chambers that are respectively fluidly connected to the nozzles. The actuator grooves are spaced from one another in a first direction parallel to the nozzle plate. A common flow channel is adjacent to open ends of the actuator grooves in a second direction parallel to the nozzle plate and perpendicular to the first direction. A liquid supply opening is fluidly connected to the common flow channel. The nozzle plate is a flexible film having a Young's modulus greater than or equal 9.1 gigapascals (GPS). Such an arrangement can help mitigate a water hammer effect experienced in liquid ejection heads.
According to one embodiment, a drive device for a liquid ejection device or the like includes a drive circuit configured to output a drive waveform to an actuator of a liquid ejection unit. The actuator has a charge-discharge time constant. The drive waveform during a non-initial portion makes a transition from a first potential higher than an intermediate potential to a second potential lower than the intermediate potential and then a transition from the second potential to the intermediate potential within a time period less than or equal to the charge-discharge time constant.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
31.
Liquid processing device, control device, and method
According to one embodiment, a liquid processing device includes a liquid flow path connected to a liquid ejecting head. A control unit is also provided. The control unit is configured to begin an operation to cause liquid to flow in the liquid flow path to the liquid ejecting head, receive a pressure value for liquid in the liquid flow path, and stop the operation when the pressure value is outside a normal range. Such a device can avoid damage resulting from malfunctions and the like.
According to an embodiment, a liquid dispensing head includes a substrate having a first surface and a piezoelectric member on the first surface of the substrate. A sidewall surface portion of the piezoelectric member is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to the first surface. A vibration plate is positioned above the piezoelectric member in a first direction orthogonal to the first surface. An electrode wiring portion is on the sidewall surface portion and connected to an electrode wiring pattern on the first surface.
According to an embodiment, a liquid discharge head includes a base plate having an elongated hole therein. The elongated hole extends lengthwise in a first direction and laterally in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A corner portion of the elongated hole that is near an end of the elongated hole in the first direction is rounded or the end is semicircular. A piezoelectric actuator is on the base plate at a position adjacent to the elongated hole in the second direction. The piezoelectric actuator includes a plurality of pressure chambers disposed along the first direction.
According to one embodiment, a driving device for liquid ejection heads includes a control unit configured to apply a multi-droplet waveform to a liquid ejecting element. The multi-droplet waveform is one of a plurality of preset patterns in which each droplet waveform in the multi-droplet waveform is one of a reference ejection waveform or a minute adjustment waveform. The reference ejection waveform causes a droplet of a nominal reference volume to be ejected by the liquid ejecting element. The minute adjustment waveform causes a droplet of less than the nominal reference volume to be ejected by the liquid ejecting element in variable volume increments.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes an actuator with pressure chambers, a first common chamber on a first side of the pressure chambers, a second common chamber on a second side of the pressure chambers, and a manifold providing a first liquid flow path above the first common chamber, a first cooling flow path above the second common chamber, and a second liquid flow path above the first cooling flow path. The second liquid flow path is connected to the first liquid flow path by a confluence portion at a confluence position between a first end of the first liquid flow path and a midpoint of the first liquid flow path.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes an actuator with a plurality of pressure chambers spaced from each other in a first direction. Each pressure chamber extends lengthwise in a second direction intersecting the first direction. An anti-reflection film is on an inner surface of the pressure chambers. A diaphragm portion is at an end of each pressure chamber. The diaphragm portion provides a flow cross-section that is less than the pressure chamber and is between the pressure chamber and a common chamber to which the pressure chambers are fluidly connected.
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate including a nozzle that ejects a liquid, a pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle, an actuator changing a volume of the chamber according to a signal, and a drive circuit issuing the signal that includes: one or more first ejection waveforms each including a first expansion pulse and a first contraction pulse at a first time after the first pulse, and a second ejection waveform including a second expansion pulse and a second contraction pulse at a second time after the second pulse, the second time being longer than the first time, and one or more of first to (n−1)-th drops are ejected by the first waveforms, and an n-th drop is ejected by the second waveform where n is a number of drops ejected for one pixel.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
In an embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, a pressure chamber, an actuator, and a drive circuit. The actuator varies a volume of the pressure chamber in response to a driving signal from the drive circuit. The driving signal includes an ejection waveform for ejecting liquid from a nozzle and a cancellation waveform for suppressing residual oscillation after ejection of the liquid. The ejection waveform includes voltage changes in stages and the cancellation waveform includes two waveform portions for suppressing residual oscillations and higher harmonic acoustic resonance frequencies.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
In an embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, a pressure chamber, an actuator, and a drive circuit. The actuator varies a volume of the pressure chamber in response to a driving signal from the drive circuit. The driving signal includes an ejection waveform for ejecting liquid from a nozzle and a cancellation waveform for suppressing residual oscillation after ejection of the liquid. The ejection waveform includes voltage changes in stages and the cancellation waveform also includes voltage changes in stages for suppressing residual oscillations and higher harmonic acoustic resonance frequencies.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate including a nozzle that ejects a liquid, a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle, an actuator configured to vary a volume of the pressure chamber in response to a driving signal, and a drive circuit configured to generate the driving signal. The driving signal includes an ejection waveform for ejecting the liquid and causing: an expansion potential difference for expanding the volume of the pressure chamber, a contraction potential difference for contracting the volume of the pressure chamber, and one or more intermediate potential differences between the expansion potential difference and the contraction potential difference, and a cancellation waveform that includes a trapezoidal wave for suppressing residual oscillation after the ejection of the liquid.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
41.
Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric member formed of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric member has grooves extending lengthwise in a first direction. The grooves separate portions of the piezoelectric member into a plurality of piezoelectric elements spaced from each other in a second direction. A connection portion of the piezoelectric member is under at least a portion of the grooves in a third direction. The connection portion connects the piezoelectric elements to each other. Individual electrodes are on first lateral surfaces of the piezoelectric elements on a first side of the piezoelectric member. A common (shared) electrode is on second lateral surfaces of the piezoelectric elements on a second side of the piezoelectric member. Each groove has a depth in an end portion of the groove on the first side that is deeper than a depth in an end portion of the groove on the second side.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head, includes a piezoelectric member having grooves extending lengthwise in a first direction. The grooves separate the piezoelectric member into piezoelectric elements spaced from each other in a second direction. A connection portion of the piezoelectric member is under a portion of the grooves in a third direction and connects the piezoelectric elements to each other. Individual electrodes are on a first surface of the piezoelectric member on a first side. A common electrode is on a second surface of the piezoelectric member on a second side. Each groove has a depth on the first side that is deeper than a depth in an end portion on the second side. The depth of each groove in the end portion on the first side reaches through the piezoelectric member to a substrate.
According to an embodiment, an inkjet head includes a piezoelectric element that is configured to change the volume of a pressure chamber from which a liquid is dispensed. A first switch is configured to connect the piezoelectric to a first power line at a first voltage when turned on, and a control circuit is configured to turn on the first switch at a first change time and then turn off the first switch after the voltage of the piezoelectric element reaches the first voltage and then turn on the first switch before a second change time. The control circuit applies a drive waveform to the piezoelectric element in which the voltage of the drive waveform is a second voltage before the first change time, the first voltage after the first change time, and the second voltage after the second change time.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to an embodiment, a liquid dispensing head includes a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of pressure chambers respectively communicating with the nozzles. A vibration plate is on a side of the pressure chambers opposite the nozzle plate. A supply-side flow path for liquid to be dispensed from the nozzle is on an inlet side of the plurality of pressure chambers. A discharge-side flow path for the liquid is on an outlet side of the pressure chambers. Piezoelectric elements are positioned to vibrate the vibration plate to change a volume of the pressure chambers for ejecting (dispensing) the liquid from the plurality of nozzles. The supply-side flow path is set to have a flow path resistance that is the same as a flow path resistance of the discharge-side flow-path.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a substrate with a hole, a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles, and an actuator on a first surface of the substrate. The actuator has a plurality of pressure chambers aligned to the plurality of nozzles. An electrode has a first portion on the first surface of the substrate and a second portion on a second surface of the substrate. The second surface is on an opposite side of the substrate from the first surface. A manifold has a first liquid hole facing the hole in the substrate and a second liquid hole facing another portion of the substrate other than the hole. A shielding member is between the substrate and the manifold and covers the second liquid hole.
According to one embodiment, an ink jet head includes a piezoelectric member to drive a pressure chamber, an electrode pair to apply a voltage to the piezoelectric member, and a common waveform generation circuit to generate a common waveform. The common waveform alternately includes an element of a first output waveform and an element of a second output waveform at a predetermined period. A switch is connected between a first electrode of the electrode pair and the common waveform generation circuit. A timing controller supplies a control signal to turn the switch on and off at the predetermined period such that the first or second output waveform can be selectively applied to the piezoelectric member to drive the pressure chamber to eject a liquid.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
47.
LIQUID EJECTING HEAD AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric member, electrodes, and a wiring substrate. The piezoelectric member has a plurality of piezoelectric elements formed of a piezoelectric material. The electrodes are formed on the piezoelectric member. The wiring substrate is joined to the electrodes by solder. The solder has a melting point of less than or equal to ½ of the Curie point of the piezoelectric material.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a substrate with an opening through which a first liquid can pass. An actuator is on a first side of the substrate and has a plurality of pressure chambers. A manifold is on a second side of the substrate. The manifold forms a first flow path for a second fluid. The liquid ejection head has first electrode with portions formed on an upper surface of the actuator, a surface on the first side of the substrate, an inner wall of the opening, and a surface on the second side of the substrate in a region outside the first flow path.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a substrate and an actuator on a first surface side of the substrate. The actuator has pressure chambers and air chambers. Each pressure chamber is connected to an opening in the substrate extending from a second surface side of the substrate to the pressure chamber. A manifold is on the second surface side of the substrate and connected to the opening in the substrate. A common electrode includes a portion on the actuator, a portion on a surface of the substrate, a portion on another surface of the substrate, a portion on a sidewall surface of the opening, and a portion on a side surface of the substrate. Individual electrodes each have a portion on a surface of the actuator and a portion on a surface of the substrate.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, pressure chambers, actuators, and a drive circuit. The nozzle plate includes nozzles for ejecting liquid. The pressure chamber communicates with the nozzles. The actuator varies the volume of the pressure chamber according to a drive signal. The drive circuit generates the drive signal for driving the actuator. The ejection waveform in the drive signal includes an expansion potential difference changes that changes in stages and a contraction potential difference change that changes in stages. The drive circuit sets the timing of the stages to cancel the vibration of an acoustic resonance frequency in a frequency range higher than a main acoustic resonance frequency of the liquid in the pressure chamber.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head for ejecting a liquid, includes a base plate extending along a first direction, an actuator unit on the plate and including first piezoelectric elements and one or more support elements arranged along the first direction, a flow path member on the actuator unit and including: pressure chambers each for storing the liquid and having volumes that can be changed by a corresponding one of the first piezoelectric elements, and one or more first openings at positions corresponding to the support elements, and a nozzle plate on the flow path member and including: nozzles through which the liquid in the corresponding pressure chambers are ejected in response to a change in the volume of the corresponding pressure chambers, and one or more second openings connected respectively to the first openings and through which the support elements corresponding to the first openings are visible.
A liquid ejection head includes actuators spaced along a first direction between a first edge and a second edge of a substrate in a second direction. Individual wirings are connected to a first terminal of an actuator and has a terminal portion at the first edge of the substrate. A common wiring has a first portion and a plurality of second portions. Each second portion is branched from the first portion in the second direction and individually connects to a second terminal of an actuator. The first portion extends along the first direction on the substrate and has a first end terminal and a second end terminal spaced from each other. A monitor terminal is at a position between the first and second end terminals. The monitor terminal extends in the second direction from the first edge of the substrate toward the first portion to which it is electrically connected.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid supply device includes a tank with an lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion is partitioned into a first chamber side and a second chamber side. The upper portion permits flow of liquid between the first and second chamber sides. The first chamber side is connected by a first flow path portion to a primary side of a filter. The second chamber side is connected by a second flow path portion to the primary side of the filter. A secondary side of the filter is connected by a third flow path portion to a liquid ejection head.
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle for ejecting a droplet of a liquid, a pressure chamber connected to the nozzle, an actuator for changing a volume of the chamber according to a voltage signal, and a drive circuit generating the signal for ejecting n droplets, where n is an integer of 3 or more. The signal includes (n−1) ejection pulses, comprising a first pulse lowering the voltage signal to a first value to expand the chamber and then to a second value to contract the chamber, and a second pulse lowering the voltage signal to the first value and then to a third value higher than the second value. The pulses are input at intervals of 0.8λ to 1.2λ, where λ is a primary natural vibration period of the chamber filled with the liquid.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid ejection head includes a plate including a nozzle for ejecting a liquid, a substrate, an actuator including a pressure chamber. The actuator includes an upper surface and a side surface connecting the upper surface to the substrate. The side surface is at an angle θ between 45 and 90 degrees. The head includes an electrode connected to the chamber. The electrode includes a first wiring on the side surface and a second wiring on the substrate within a first region thereof. The first region has a length A from a position of a line along which the upper and side surfaces meet, and the value of length A is B/tan θ′, where B is a distance between the upper surface and the substrate and θ′ is (θ−45)×2.
A liquid ejection head of a side shooter type includes a plate including nozzles arranged along a first direction and through which liquid is ejected, an actuator including pressure chambers communicating with the nozzles, dummy chambers each disposed between two adjacent pressure chambers, and sidewalls separating the chambers along the first direction and deformable to change a volume of each pressure chamber according to a signal, and covers having apertures and partly covering both ends of each pressure chamber in a second direction intersecting the first direction such that the pressure chambers communicate with a common chamber at both ends thereof through the apertures. Each cover includes a first portion on and between the sidewalls and a second portion other than the first portion, and a first length of the first portion is equal to or greater than a second length of the second portion in the second direction.
A liquid ejection head includes a plate with a plurality of nozzles arranged along a first direction through which liquid is ejected. A substrate is on the plate and includes a hole extending along the first direction by which the liquid is supplied. An actuator is on the substrate along the hole. The actuator has a plurality of pressure chambers, from which the liquid from the hole is ejected by the nozzles, and a plurality of air chambers. Each air chamber is between two of the pressure chambers that are adjacent to each other. A plurality of individual electrodes is formed on the substrate and each is connected to a corresponding one of the pressure chambers. A common electrode is formed on the substrate and an inner peripheral surface of the hole.
According to one embodiment, an inkjet head includes a pressure chamber for ink, a nozzle plate including a nozzle connected to the pressure chamber, an actuator to change a volume of the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit that drives the actuator. The drive circuit drives the actuator according to a drive waveform including an expansion waveform, a first weak contraction waveform, a contraction waveform, and a second weak contraction waveform.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a position determination unit of a printing system determines a printing position of printing information printed on an object to be printed conveyed by a conveyance machine. An erasing unit erases the printing information printed using thermochromic ink by emitting heat from a heat source, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, from a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction according to a timing at which the printing position, determined based on the printing position, passes. A printing unit includes a printer using the thermochromic ink, disposed behind the heat source along the conveyance direction, and prints information on the object to be printed from the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the printer, a height position of which is adjusted according to the printing position, according to the timing at which the printing position passes. A facing mechanism causes a printing surface of the object to be printed to face a printer head of the printer at least when the printing unit prints the information.
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes an actuator with a plurality of pressure chambers and dummy chambers. The pressure chambers are each part of a groove that is disposed between an adjacent pair of sidewalls. Each pressure chamber is in fluid communication with a nozzle for ejecting a liquid. The dummy chambers are each between an adjacent pair of pressure chambers. A common chamber is fluidly connected to an end of each of the pressure chambers. A throttle portion is at the end portion of each pressure chamber. Each throttle portion blocks a part of a liquid flow path from the first common chamber to the pressure chamber. The first throttle portion is formed of a resin material.
A liquid ejecting head of a side shooter type includes a plate including a plurality of nozzles arranged along a first direction and an actuator with a plurality of pressure chambers arranged along the first direction. Each pressure chamber communicates with a corresponding one of the nozzles. The actuator further includes dummy chambers, each of which is between two otherwise adjacent pressure chambers. Common chambers are provided in the actuator. The pressure and dummy chambers are arranged between the common chambers. The end portions of the pressure chambers are connected to a common chamber. The width of the end portions of each of the pressure chambers is less than the width of a portion of the pressure chamber between the end portions.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one or more embodiments, the inkjet head includes an actuator and a driver. The actuator causes a pressure chamber to expand or contract. The driver applies an ejection pulse to the actuator to eject ink from the pressure chamber. The ejection pulse includes an expansion pulse having a width of 0.75 to 1.25 times a pressure propagation time of the pressure chamber, a rest period after the expansion pulse, and a contraction pulse after the rest period.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid discharge head includes a pressure chamber and a nozzle. The pressure chamber extends in a first direction from a first end to a second end and forms a flow path for a fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. The nozzle is for ejecting liquid from the pressure chamber in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The nozzle is at a position offset from a midpoint of the pressure chamber in the first direction towards one of the first or second ends of the pressure chamber.
The present invention provides a reversibly thermochromic aqueous inkjet printer ink composition which can form print images of high resolution and rich color development. The composition comprises: a reversibly thermochromic microcapsule pigment, water, and a polyalcohol organic solvent. Microcapsules which are comprised in the composition have a volume-based mean particle size (X) of 0.1 to 2 μm and a mean cross-sectional membrane thickness (Y) of 0.02 to 0.4 which is average of cross-sectional membrane thickness defined by the formula:
The present invention provides a reversibly thermochromic aqueous inkjet printer ink composition which can form print images of high resolution and rich color development. The composition comprises: a reversibly thermochromic microcapsule pigment, water, and a polyalcohol organic solvent. Microcapsules which are comprised in the composition have a volume-based mean particle size (X) of 0.1 to 2 μm and a mean cross-sectional membrane thickness (Y) of 0.02 to 0.4 which is average of cross-sectional membrane thickness defined by the formula:
cross-sectional membrane thickness=(outer section diameter−inner section diameter)/2.
According to an embodiment, an inkjet head includes a nozzle that ejects ink, an ink pressure chamber that connects to the nozzle, an actuator that changes a volume of the ink pressure chamber, and an actuator driving circuit that drives the actuator with a driving waveform. The driving waveform includes an ejection pulse portion that changes from a first voltage to a second voltage at which the ink pressure chamber expands and then changes from the second voltage to a third voltage at which the ink pressure chamber contracts so as to eject the ink from the nozzle. The third voltage is between that of the first and second voltages in potential level. The potential difference between the second and third voltages is greater than the potential difference between the third and first voltages.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid discharge head includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC) connected to piezoelectric elements. The FPC has a first end in the first direction. A wiring layer of the FPC has a first region at the first end and a cover layer covering on a second region. The piezoelectric elements are spaced from each other in a second direction and each has a first electrode on a side surface facing towards the FPC. The first side has a joint surface facing the first region of the wiring layer. The first electrode is electrically connected to the wiring layer at the joint surface. The side surface includes a step portion that is recessed from the joint surface. A portion of the cover layer protrudes into a space adjacent to the step portion.
H10N 30/50 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices having a stacked or multilayer structure
H10N 30/057 - Manufacture of multilayered piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices, or parts thereof, e.g. by stacking piezoelectric bodies and electrodes by stacking bulk piezoelectric or electrostrictive bodies and electrodes
H10N 30/063 - Forming interconnections, e.g. connection electrodes of multilayered piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts
H10N 30/088 - Shaping or machining of piezoelectric or electrostrictive bodies by machining by cutting or dicing
H10N 30/87 - Electrodes or interconnections, e.g. leads or terminals
H10N 30/20 - Piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices with electrical input and mechanical output, e.g. functioning as actuators or vibrators
An image forming apparatus includes: a first supplying device configured to supply a first ink onto a recording medium to form a non-color print layer on the recording medium, the first ink comprising non-color particles; and a second supplying device configured to supply a second ink onto the recording medium having the non-color print layer formed thereon, to form a color print layer on the recording medium, the second ink including color pigment particles that are decolored when heated.
According to one or more embodiments, a liquid ejection head includes an actuator and a driver. The actuator has a piezoelectric element made of a lead-free piezoelectric material. The driver applies a voltage to the actuator to vibrate the piezoelectric element in a first direction with a first electric field in a first polarization direction of the piezoelectric element and a second electric field in a direction opposite to the first polarization direction. The second electric field is controlled to be equal to or less than a coercive electric field of the piezoelectric element.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a mobile printer includes a first housing, a second housing, a hinge, and a print head. The first housing has a first surface on which a printing medium can be disposed. The second housing faces the first surface. The hinge connects the first housing and the second housing and permits the first and second housings to rotate relative to each other. The print head is provided in the second housing and is configured to print an image by discharging on to the print medium when the print medium is on the first surface between the first and second housings.
B41J 3/36 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for portability
B41J 3/39 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes hand-held
A liquid ejection head has a base plate with an actuator on an upper surface. Pressure chambers are formed in the actuator. A first common chamber connects to a first side of the pressure chambers, and a second common chamber connects to a second side. A nozzle plate is on an upper surface side of the actuator and has nozzles at positions corresponding to the pressure chambers. A supply hole is in the base plate and connected to the first common chamber. A discharge hole is in the base plate and connected to the second common chamber. A manifold is on a lower surface of the base plate. The manifold has a supply flow path for supplying liquid to the supply hole, a discharge flow path for receiving liquid from the discharge hole, and a temperature control flow path through which a temperature control liquid can flow.
According to an embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a plurality of drive flow paths, a plurality of dummy flow paths, and a plurality of side walls. The drive flow paths connect to liquid ejection nozzles. The dummy flow paths connect to dummy nozzles. The dummy flow paths are adjacent the drive flow paths. The side walls are between the drive flow paths and the dummy flow paths and configured to change volumes of both the drive flow paths and the dummy flow paths in response to drive signals. An acoustic resonance period of liquid in the dummy flow paths is shorter than an acoustic resonance period of the liquid in the drive flow paths.
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid supply unit, an array of nozzles arranged in a matrix and through which liquid is ejected, actuators each connected to one of the nozzles, and a circuit configured to output signals to the actuators according to delay times that are predetermined in a matrix corresponding to the matrix of the array. The delay times include (k+l−1) or more different delay times where the matrix thereof has k columns and l rows. The matrix is defined such that a difference of two adjacent delay times in each of column and row directions is an odd multiple of a half cycle of a natural vibration period of the liquid, and between two adjacent columns and rows, two or more different delay time differences exist between each pair of corresponding delay times of the adjacent columns and rows, respectively.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An inkjet head includes a pressure chamber storing ink, a nozzle communicating with the chamber, an actuator ejecting the ink through the nozzle by changing a volume of the chamber, and a circuit outputting a drive signal to the actuator with a drive waveform having a cycle based on a number of gradation levels being used for printing. When printing is performed using three or more gradation levels, the circuit outputs the signal that has a multi-drop drive waveform including two or more first waveforms for ejecting first to (n−1)-th droplets of the ink where n is equal to or greater than 3, a second waveform for ejecting an n-th droplet of the ink, and an intermediate time between the first waveform for ejecting the (n−1)-th droplet and the second waveform for ejecting the n-th droplet. The intermediate time is longer than a time between two adjacent first waveforms.
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An inkjet head includes a pressure chamber in which ink is stored, a nozzle plate including a nozzle which connects with the pressure chamber, an actuator configured to change a volume of the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit, before a printing is performed, outputs, to the actuator for a first time period, a first signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber without ejecting ink from the nozzle. A second signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber is then output to the actuator for a second time period such that ink is ejected from the nozzle. A third signal for changing the volume of the pressure chamber to the extent that the ink is not ejected from the nozzle is then output to the actuator for a third time period.
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
75.
Liquid circulation device and liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid circulation device includes a liquid chamber that stores a liquid that is to be supplied to a liquid discharge head. A pipeline through which the liquid can be circulated between the liquid chamber and the liquid discharge head is provided. A heater heats the liquid circulating in the pipeline. A first temperature sensor measures the temperature of the heater, and a second temperature sensor measures the temperature of the liquid in the pipeline. A controller controls the heating of the heater based on the liquid temperature measured by the second temperature sensor. The controller also monitors a change in the measured temperature of the heater over time and turns off the heating of the heater when the monitored change satisfies a predetermined stop condition.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An actuator drive circuit of a liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge waveform generating circuit, a sleep waveform generating circuit, and a wake waveform generating circuit. The discharge waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a plurality of drive waveforms to be applied to actuators of the liquid discharge apparatus for liquid discharge. The drive waveforms correspond to gradation values of gradation scale data. The sleep waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a sleep waveform to be applied to the actuators. The sleep waveform causes a voltage of the actuators to transition to a first voltage without liquid discharge. The wake waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a wake waveform to be applied to the actuators. The wake waveform causes the voltage of the actuators to transition to a second voltage higher than the first voltage without liquid discharge.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A control board connectable to a liquid ejection head includes a power supply circuit outputting a first voltage, a connector connectable to a cable through which the first voltage is input and a second voltage is output, and a processor detecting a connection error of the cable using a difference between the first and second voltages, and control the circuit to turn off upon detection of the error. The connector includes first, second, and third terminals adjacent to each other and arranged along a direction in this order and fourth, fifth, and sixth terminals adjacent to each other and arranged along the first direction in this order. The first voltage is input to the second terminal, the second voltage is output from the fifth terminal, and the first, third, fourth, and sixth terminals are ground terminals. The second and fifth terminals are short-circuited in the liquid ejection head.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to at least one embodiment, a mobile printer includes a casing, a sensor, a print head, an interface, a controller, and a decolorizing device. The casing includes a power supply. The sensor detects the movement of the casing. The print head discharges ink containing a thermochromic colorant. The interface acquires image data. The controller discharges the ink from the print head based on the image data acquired by the interface and the movement of the casing detected by the sensor. The decolorizing device is coupled to the casing and includes a translucent film in which heat is generated by an applied voltage and a translucent substrate that is heated to a temperature at which the thermochromic colorant is decolorized by the heat generated in the translucent film.
A liquid supply device includes a first conduit, a second conduit, one or more pumps, a heater, a filter, and a bypass conduit. The first conduit is connected to an upstream side of a liquid discharge head. The second conduit is connected to a downstream side of the liquid discharge head. The liquid is supplied through the first conduit to the liquid discharge head and recovered from the liquid discharge head through the second conduit. The heater is provided along the first conduit. The filter is provided in the first conduit on a downstream side of the heater. The bypass conduit is connected between a portion of the first conduit upstream with respect to the filter and a portion of the second conduit.
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a nozzle plate with nozzles and actuators and a drive controller. First and second nozzles are directly adjacent to each other in a first direction. First and third nozzles are directly adjacent to each other in a second direction. The drive controller is configured to apply a drive signal to first, second, and third actuators corresponding to the first, second, and third nozzles, respectively, during a drive cycle. A difference between a first timing at which the drive signal is applied to the first actuator and a second timing at which the drive signal is applied to the second actuator and a difference between the first timing and a third timing at which the drive signal is applied to the third actuator is an odd number multiple of a half of an inherent vibration cycle of the liquid discharge apparatus.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a control circuit for an inkjet head or the like includes an input circuit configured to receive drive information for driving liquid ejection from a plurality of nozzle arrays. The drive information includes a drive signal value to be supplied to a channel of the plurality of nozzle arrays. A latch circuit array of the control circuit has latch circuits for storing the drive information for each array in the plurality of nozzle arrays. A setting register is configured to receive a setting value to configure the input circuit to correspond to a connection mode for the plurality of latch circuits. The setting value corresponds to the number of arrays in the plurality of nozzle arrays.
B41J 29/38 - Drives, motors, controls, or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
82.
Liquid ejection head and liquid ejection apparatus
According to one embodiment, a liquid ejection head includes a pressure chamber that contains a liquid, an actuator to change the pressure in the pressure chamber according to an applied drive signal, and a drive circuit to apply a first drive signal to the actuator when a single droplet is to be ejected from the pressure chamber and a second drive signal to the actuator when two or more droplets are to be ejected in series from the pressure chamber. The first drive signal has a first auxiliary pulse before a first ejection pulse. The second drive signal has a second auxiliary pulse before the first ejection pulse. A pulse width of the first auxiliary pulse is greater than a pulse width of the second auxiliary pulse.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A droplet dispensing apparatus includes a crystal sensor, a resonance frequency measuring unit, and a controller. The controller is configured to obtain the resonance frequency of the crystal sensor before droplets are discharged from a liquid dropping device, control the liquid dropping device to discharge droplets on to the crystal sensor, and obtain the resonance frequency of the crystal sensor after droplets are discharged from the liquid dropping device. The controller estimates a volatilization amount for the droplets on the crystal sensor based on a temporal change trend in the resonance frequency of the crystal sensor and calculates the total weight of the droplets discharged from the liquid dropping device based on the difference in resonance frequency of the crystal sensor before and after the droplets are discharged and the estimated volatilization amount.
G01G 17/06 - Apparatus for, or methods of, weighing material of special form or property for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes having means for controlling the supply or discharge
An ink tube according to an embodiment includes a flexible tube body through which an ink flows, and a liquid repellent membrane which coats at least an inner surface of the flexible tube body. The liquid repellent membrane comprising a fluorine compound having a binding moiety containing a silicon atom and a carbon atom and a perfluoroalkyl group of four or fewer carbon atoms. The binding moiety is covalently bonded directly to the inner surface of the flexible tube body, and the perfluoroalkyl group is at a terminal end of the fluorine compound opposite from an end of the binding moiety.
An ink head includes: a common ink chamber; a first nozzle including a first nozzle hole, a first flow channel and the common ink chamber, and a first actuator; and a second nozzle including a second nozzle hole, a second flow channel and the common ink chamber, and a second actuator, the second nozzle being adjacent to the first nozzle in a first direction. The first flow channel is linked to the common ink chamber via a first opening. The second flow channel is linked to the common ink chamber via a second opening. A center position of the first opening is shifted from a center position of the second opening in at least a third direction, the third direction crossing the first direction when viewed along a second direction, the second direction being from the common ink chamber toward the first flow channel.
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection unit with a plurality of nozzles and a corresponding plurality of actuators. A drive waveform generation circuit is configured to generate drive waveforms having different drive timings. An actuator drive circuit is configured to apply a first drive waveform to a first actuator in a liquid ejection operation and a second drive waveform to a second actuator in the liquid ejection operation during which the first and second actuators are to be driven at a same nominal time. The first driving waveform is different from the second drive waveform, and the first actuator is at a position electrically closer along a predetermined direction to a power supply electrode than is the second actuator.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a liquid dispensing apparatus includes a mounting unit configured to hold a liquid discharging apparatus that discharges liquid from nozzles simultaneously by an operation of an actuator. An inspection media placement region is provided on which an inspection medium can be placed to receive the liquid discharged from the liquid discharging apparatus. A controller is configured to control the actuator to vary a volume of the liquid discharged from each nozzle for a nozzle inspection operation. The volume is varied according to a predetermined distance between adjacent nozzles that simultaneously discharge liquid and a predetermined contact angle for a droplet of the liquid when on the inspection medium.
According to one or more embodiments, a liquid discharge head comprises a substrate, a nozzle plate, and a damper member. The substrate comprises a plurality of pressure chambers. The nozzle plate is provided on a first surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of pressure chambers. The damper member is provided on a second surface of the substrate and comprises a pressure wave absorbing material.
B41J 2/055 - Devices for absorbing or preventing back-pressure
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to one embodiment, a cleaning device comprises a suction port portion, a guide portion, and an urging member. The suction port portion is configured to face a nozzle plate of a liquid discharge head at a predetermined gap distance between the suction port and the nozzle plate. The guide portion is configured to face a cover mask of the liquid discharge head and is moveable in a direction away from the cover mask. The cover mask covers a periphery of a surface of the nozzle plate. The urging member is configured to urge the guide portion toward the cover mask.
According to one embodiment, an actuator of a liquid ejection head is supplied with a drive signal including a first waveform and at least one second waveform. First waveform includes a first change from a first voltage to a second voltage, and a second change from the second voltage to a third voltage less than the first voltage. A second waveform begins after a time equal to one half of the natural oscillation period of liquid in a pressure chamber of the liquid ejection head. The second waveform includes a change from the third voltage to the second voltage and a change from second voltage to the third voltage after a time less than one half of the natural oscillation period.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
According to an embodiment, a piezoelectric pump includes a pressure chamber and a buffer chamber. The buffer chamber is provided for at least one of an inlet of the pressure chamber in which liquid flows or an outlet of the pressure chamber from which the liquid is discharged. The buffer chamber includes a wall portion that forms a gas chamber that retains gas from the liquid.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
H01L 41/09 - Piezo-electric or electrostrictive elements with electrical input and mechanical output
F04B 43/02 - Machines, pumps, or pumping installations having flexible working members having plate-like flexible members, e.g. diaphragms
92.
Liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge method
A liquid discharge head includes first and second groups of nozzles and first and second groups of actuators corresponding to the first and second groups of nozzles, respectively, and a head drive circuit. The head drive circuit is configured to receive a sequence of input data portions including first and second data portions, and select a setting mode between a first setting mode, in which the first group of actuators is driven based on the first input data portion and the second group of actuators is driven based on the second input data portion, and a second setting mode, in which the second group of actuators is driven based on the first input data portion and the first group of actuators is driven based on an input data portion that is after the first data portion in the sequence.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An ink jet head includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a plurality of ink jet elements, and a drive circuit. The ink jet elements are configured to cause ink to be ejected from a plurality of nozzles. The drive circuit is provided on the first or second substrate and configured to drive the plurality of ink jet elements. The first substrate includes a first wiring. The second substrate is coupled to the first substrate, and includes a second wiring overlaid on the first wiring at a connection region. A thickness of the first wiring is less than a thickness of the second wiring at the connection region. A width of the first wiring at the connection region is greater than a width of the second wiring at the connection region.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
94.
Fluid circulation apparatus and fluid ejection apparatus
According to one embodiment, a fluid circulation apparatus includes a first tank to store fluid to be supplied to a fluid ejection head, a circulation path including a first flow path portion to provide fluid from the first tank to a supply port of the fluid ejection head, and a second flow path portion to return fluid from a collection port of the fluid ejection head to the first tank, a bypass flow path to connect the supply port to the collection port outside of the fluid ejection head, and a pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of the bypass flow path.
An actuator drive circuit for a liquid discharge apparatus includes an output switch and a waveform selector circuit. The output switch includes a first transistor configured to supply a first voltage to an actuator when on and a second transistor configured to supply a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the actuator when on. The waveform selector circuit is configured to select, from a plurality of waveforms stored in a waveform memory, a first waveform that causes the output switch to transition to a first state in which the first transistor is on and the second transistor is off, and a second waveform that causes the output switch to transition to a second state in which the first transistor is off and the second transistor is on.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid discharge apparatus includes an actuator and a drive circuit. The actuator is configured to cause liquid to be discharged from a nozzle corresponding thereto. The drive circuit is configured to apply a wake waveform to the actuator such that a voltage of the actuator increases to a first voltage and then is maintained at the first voltage without discharge of liquid from the nozzle. A drive waveform is then applied to the actuator for each of one or more discharge cycles such that liquid is discharged from the nozzle for each of the discharge cycles. A time from when the wave waveform starts to be applied to the actuator to when the drive waveform starts to be applied to the actuator is equal to or longer than a period of time of two discharge cycles.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid discharge apparatus includes an actuator and a drive circuit. The actuator is configured to cause liquid to be discharged from a nozzle. The drive circuit is configured to apply a waveform to the actuator during a discharge cycle in accordance with a discharge trigger and to cause a voltage of the actuator to be maintained at a value from an end of the discharge cycle until reception of a subsequent discharge trigger.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
98.
Actuator drive circuit of liquid discharge apparatus and print control apparatus
An actuator drive circuit of a liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge waveform generating circuit, a sleep waveform generating circuit, and a wake waveform generating circuit. The discharge waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a plurality of drive waveforms to be applied to actuators of the liquid discharge apparatus for liquid discharge. The drive waveforms correspond to gradation values of gradation scale data. The sleep waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a sleep waveform to be applied to the actuators. The sleep waveform causes a voltage of the actuators to transition to a first voltage without liquid discharge. The wake waveform generating circuit is configured to generate a wake waveform to be applied to the actuators. The wake waveform causes the voltage of the actuators to transition to a second voltage higher than the first voltage without liquid discharge.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A liquid supply device includes a first conduit, a second conduit, one or more pumps, a heater, a filter, and a bypass conduit. The first conduit is connected to an upstream side of a liquid discharge head. The second conduit is connected to a downstream side of the liquid discharge head. The liquid is supplied through the first conduit to the liquid discharge head and recovered from the liquid discharge head through the second conduit. The heater is provided along the first conduit. The filter is provided in the first conduit on a downstream side of the heater. The bypass conduit is connected between a portion of the first conduit upstream with respect to the filter and a portion of the second conduit.
An ink jet head includes a nozzle plate base including a plurality of nozzles. A liquid repellent film is formed on a surface of the nozzle plate base. The liquid repellent film comprises a polymeric compound formed of repeating units with a cyclic structure. A portion of the repeating units with the cyclic structure are ring-opened.
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