US 8,939,534 B2 · Liquid ejection apparatus

Abstract

A liquid ejection apparatus which, by applying a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric element which drives an ejection nozzle, ejects a liquid from the ejection nozzle. The apparatus includes a reference voltage generating unit which generates a plurality of reference voltages, a drive voltage waveform data storage unit classifies the drive voltage waveform as either a voltage increasing section, decreasing section, or holding section, and stores drive voltage waveform data including a required time of a waveform section configuring the drive voltage waveform, and a voltage, selected from the plurality of reference voltages for the waveform section. The apparatus also includes a drive voltage waveform application unit which, in accordance with information relating to an adjustment of the ejection amount of the liquid ejected from the ejection nozzle, changes the required time included in the drive voltage waveform data, and applies the drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims10

Dependent claims

A liquid ejection apparatus which, by applying a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric element which when deformed ejects a liquid from an ejection nozzle, the liquid ejection apparatus comprising:

a reference voltage generating unit which generates a plurality of reference voltages;
a drive voltage waveform data storage unit which, by classifying the drive voltage waveform into waveform sections including a voltage increasing section, decreasing section, or holding section, stores drive voltage waveform data including a required time of each waveform section, and a voltage selected from the plurality of reference voltages for each boundary position of each waveform section, wherein at least two different reference waveform voltages of the plurality of reference voltages are used as stages in the voltage increasing section and wherein at least two different waveform voltages of the plurality of reference voltages are used as stages in the voltage decreasing section;
a drive voltage waveform application unit which, in accordance with information relating to an adjustment of the ejection amount of the liquid ejected from the ejection nozzle, changes the required time included in the drive voltage waveform data, and applies the drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element,
wherein the drive voltage waveform application unit adjusts the ejection amount in relatively small increments using only the required time, and adjusts the ejection amount in relatively large increments using the required time and the voltage.

1 more element

A liquid ejection apparatus which, by applying a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric element which drives an ejection nozzle, ejects a liquid from the ejection nozzle, comprising:

a voltage generating unit which generates a first voltage and a second voltage higher than the first voltage;
a drive voltage waveform data storage unit which, by classifying the drive voltage waveform into waveform sections including a voltage increasing section, decreasing section, or holding section, stores drive voltage waveform data including a required time of each waveform section configuring the drive voltage waveform, and a voltage selected from the first and second voltages for each boundary position of each waveform section, wherein the first voltage and second voltage are both used as stages in the voltage increasing section and also as stages in the voltage decreasing section;
a drive voltage waveform application unit which, in accordance with information relating to an adjustment of the ejection amount of the liquid ejected from the ejection nozzle, changes the required time included in the drive voltage waveform data, and applies the drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element,
wherein the drive voltage waveform application unit adjusts the ejection amount in relatively small increments using only the required time, and adjusts the ejection amount in relatively large increments using the required time and the voltage.

1 more element

A liquid ejection apparatus which, by applying a drive voltage waveform to a piezoelectric element which drives an ejection nozzle, ejects a liquid from the ejection nozzle, the liquid ejection apparatus comprising:

a reference voltage generating unit which generates a plurality of reference voltages;
a drive voltage waveform data storage unit which, by classifying the drive voltage waveform into waveform sections including a voltage increasing section, decreasing section, or holding section, stores drive voltage waveform data including a required time of each waveform section, a first boundary voltage and a second boundary voltage selected from the plurality of reference voltages for a starting and ending voltage of each waveform section, wherein at least two different reference waveform voltages of the plurality of reference voltages are used as stages in the voltage increasing section and wherein at least two different waveform voltages of the plurality of reference voltages are used as stages in the voltage decreasing section;
a drive voltage waveform application unit which, in accordance with information relating to an adjustment of the ejection amount of the liquid ejected from the ejection nozzle, changes the required time included in the drive voltage waveform data, and applies the drive voltage waveform to the piezoelectric element,
wherein the drive voltage waveform application unit adjusts the ejection amount in relatively small increments using only the required time, and adjusts the ejection amount in relatively large increments using the required time and the voltage.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description16,077 words

Summary1,150 words

#The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-238989, filed Oct. 16, 2009 is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

#1. Technical Field

#The present invention relates to a technology of ejecting a liquid from an ejection nozzle.

Brief description of the drawings20 figures

#The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

#FIG. 1 is an illustration illustrating an inkjet printer acting as a liquid ejection apparatus which is capable of performing aspects of the invention in one embodiment;

#FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a configuration of an ejection head and a circuit configuration for driving a plurality of ejection nozzles provided in the ejection head;

Detailed description14,433 words

#Hereafter, in order to clarify the heretofore described details of the invention, an embodiment will be described in accordance with the following sequence.

#A. Apparatus Configuration

#B. Configuration of Ejection Head B-1. Configuration of Ejection Nozzle Drive Circuit B-2. Drive Voltage Waveform Generating Method

Facts

Application

12/905,638Filed 15 Oct 2010

Priority

JP 2009-23898916 Oct 2009

Published

US 2011/0090273 A121 Apr 2011

Granted

27 Jan 2015

Term ends

24 May 2031

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 221 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification6 codes

B41J 2/04591
Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits: width of the driving signal being adjusted
B41J 2/04553
Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits: detecting ambient temperature
B41J 2/0456
Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits: detecting drop size, volume or weight
B41J 2/04581
Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits: controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements

Timeline

16 Oct 2009Priority claimedJP 2009-238989
15 Oct 2010Application filedUS 12/905,638
15 Oct 2010Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
21 Apr 2011PublishedUS 2011/0090273 A1
27 Jan 2015GrantedUS 8,939,534 B2
2 Feb 2022Assigned to Columbia Peak Ventures, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
24 May 2031Term endsEstimated, includes 221 days of adjustment

Liquid ejection apparatus

Life of this patent

Liquid ejection apparatus

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims10

Description16,077 words

Drawings

Classification6 codes

Life of this patent

Description16,077 words