WO2021101535A1 - Puissance de sortie constante à partir de lignes d'adresse activées séquentiellement - Google Patents

Puissance de sortie constante à partir de lignes d'adresse activées séquentiellement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021101535A1
WO2021101535A1 PCT/US2019/062361 US2019062361W WO2021101535A1 WO 2021101535 A1 WO2021101535 A1 WO 2021101535A1 US 2019062361 W US2019062361 W US 2019062361W WO 2021101535 A1 WO2021101535 A1 WO 2021101535A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fluidic
address
die
constant power
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/062361
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English (en)
Inventor
Eric Thomas MARTIN
Berkeley Alexander FISHER
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Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
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Application filed by Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. filed Critical Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority to PCT/US2019/062361 priority Critical patent/WO2021101535A1/fr
Publication of WO2021101535A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021101535A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/0458—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04541—Specific driving circuit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04543—Block driving
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04563—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2/14016—Structure of bubble jet print heads
    • B41J2/14153—Structures including a sensor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2002/14354—Sensor in each pressure chamber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/20—Modules

Definitions

  • Fluidic devices are devices through which fluids and/or electric signals may propagate. Fluidic devices may be used by printing devices. For example, in a two-dimensional (2D) printing device, print compound such as ink may be deposited on a substrate such as paper. In a three-dimensional (3D) printing device, other compounds such as a fusing agent may be deposited on a powder bed to form a 3D printed object. In yet another example, fluidic devices may also be used for bio-medical devices, such as to perform tests on fluids. Based on electric signals received, fluidic devices may cause propagation of fluids through channels (e.g., microchannels) of the fluidic devices. The voltage levels corresponding to the electric signals may depend on the particular fabrication processes used to manufacture the fluidic devices.
  • the voltage levels corresponding to the electric signals may depend on the particular fabrication processes used to manufacture the fluidic devices.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fluidic device to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • Figs. 2A - 2C illustrate a fluid ejection system having a fluidic device, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a bio-medical device having a fluidic device, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a fluidic device to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram of a fluidic die, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of a fluidic device to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method for generating constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of a fluidic device to generate constant power output form sequentially-activated address lines, according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method for generating constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • references throughout this specification to one implementation, an implementation, one example, an example, and/or the like means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, and/or the like described in relation to a particular implementation and/or example is included in at least one implementation and/or example of claimed subject matter.
  • appearances of such phrases, for example, in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily intended to refer to the same implementation and/or example or to any one particular implementation and/or example.
  • particular features, structures, characteristics, and/or the like described are capable of being combined in various ways in one or more implementations and/or examples and, therefore, are within intended claim scope.
  • fluidic devices such as fluid ejection devices (e.g., an inkjet printhead) are narrow and/or inflexible. There may be a desire to work around this lack of flexibility to enable use of fluidic devices in systems for which they were not designed, by way of example. This is illustrated in a non-limiting manner by the following example fluidic device.
  • One example fluidic device may be fabricated using a first process. For instance, fluidic dies of one thermal inkjet (TIJ) product may be manufactured using a first photolithographic process with particular manufacturing characteristics.
  • TIJ thermal inkjet
  • the resulting fluidic dies may contain just N-type transistors, such as N-channel metal-oxide field- effect transistors (MOSFETs), as enabling their P-type counterpart may be prohibitively costly, if possible.
  • N-type transistors such as N-channel metal-oxide field- effect transistors (MOSFETs)
  • MOSFETs metal-oxide field- effect transistors
  • fluidic die manufactured using such a process may not contain CMOS circuits and logic gates or other types of integrated circuits that rely on constant power.
  • TIJ dies manufactured with a different photolithographic process may have different operational capabilities as contrasted with those of the first photolithographic process.
  • a die manufactured with this second photolithographic process may facilitate the use of constant power supply-type integrated circuits such as CMOS circuits and logic gates and may also facilitate DC power supply interconnects to facilitate CMOS and logic gate usage.
  • dies produced using the second photolithographic process may not be usable in a system designed for 4 dies formed using the first photolithographic process, and vice versa. More generally, then, it may not be possible to use fluidic devices of a second process with a system designed for fluidic devices of a first (different) process, and vice versa, without making changes to the system and/or the fluidic devices.
  • Altering the printer or other fluidic system to use fluidic devices not designed for the system may not be practicable in some cases. For instance, altering fluidic systems that are already installed and in use may be costly, complex, and/or inconvenient. For instance, if many fluidic systems are deployed, it may not be feasible to replace or alter the fluidic systems to use fluidic devices of another type.
  • the present specification allows for fluidic die formed using a first process to interface with printers and firing systems which are intended to drive fluidic die formed using a different process, wherein the differently formed fluidic die are intended to be controlled in different fashions based on control signals from the printer or other fluidic system. Accordingly, all the additional functionality of the second process-produced fluidic die, including closed-loop thermal control, complex data paths, high-side switching, advanced sensing, and many other features are enabled. Specifically, the present specification provides a consistent power supply used to drive these CMOS and other digital/analog circuit elements.
  • Such a constant power supply may be derived from available input signals. That is, certain printheads, for example, certain print fluid cartridges, do not transmit a constant power supply to the fluidic device and just provide sequential address inputs to a fluidic die. Each of these address inputs activates a particular subset of fluid actuators to eject fluid from the printhead.
  • the fluidic device of the present specification takes these sequential address inputs and generates a constant power output that can then be used to power CMOS circuits, logic gates, and in some cases analog circuit elements which are on the fluidic die as well which rely on constant power supply.
  • address inputs from a controller such as a printer may be sequential such that of all address inputs, at least one address input is high at any given time, and therefore a voltage is always available to the fluid die.
  • the capacitor collects the charge from the address inputs and provides a stable downstream voltage.
  • address data is sent such that one specific input pin is always a “1”, therefore providing a single pin which is treated as the power supply pin.
  • a constant power supply is provided which enables advanced on-die circuitry such as CMOS circuits, logic gates, and analog circuit elements.
  • the fluidic die includes an array of fluid actuators grouped into zones.
  • a fluid actuator fires when both 1) a power signal from outside of the fluidic die activates a power line to a zone associated with the fluid actuator and 2) an address signal from outside of the fluidic die activates an address line to which the fluid actuator is coupled.
  • the fluidic device also includes a constant power device coupled to the address lines to generate a constant power output from sequentially activated address lines.
  • the fluidic device includes an array of fluid actuators disposed on a fluidic die.
  • the fluidic device also includes a set of address lines. Each address line is coupled to multiple fluid actuators according to a first grouping. These address lines are sequentially activated.
  • the fluidic device also includes a set of power lines. Each power line is coupled to multiple fluid actuators according to a second grouping. As described above, an actuator at a junction of an active address line and an active power line is to eject fluid.
  • the fluidic device also includes a constant power device coupled to the address lines to generate a constant power output from sequentially activated address lines.
  • the fluidic device also includes an on-die device downstream of the constant power device to receive the constant power output.
  • the present specification also describes a method. According to the method, sequential address signals are received at an electrical interconnect of a fluidic device. The address signals are received along respective address lines coupled to an array of fluid actuators. A constant output power is generated from the sequential address signals. This constant output power is passed to downstream on-die devices.
  • Such devices and systems 1) enable digital and analog circuits on a fluidic die that operate using a constant DC voltage; 2) is backwards compatible with printers that do not provide DC voltage to the fluidic die; and 3) implement existing sequential signals to provide the constant DC voltage.
  • actuator refers to an ejecting actuator and/or a non-ejecting actuator.
  • an ejecting actuator operates to eject fluid from the fluid ejection die.
  • a recirculation pump which is an example of a non-ejecting actuator, moves fluid through the fluid slots, channels, and pathways within the fluidic die.
  • fluid die refers to a component of a fluid ejection system that includes a number of fluid actuators.
  • a fluidic die includes fluidic ejection dies and non-ejecting fluidic dies.
  • array refers to a grouping of fluid actuators.
  • a fluidic die may include multiple “arrays.”
  • a fluidic die may include multiple columns, each column forming an array.
  • the term “zone” refers to a sub-division of an array.
  • a column of fluid actuators may include multiple zones.
  • Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a fluidic device (100) to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines, according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • the fluidic device (100) includes a combination of hardware through which fluids and/or electric signals may propagate and program code.
  • the program code may include instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a particular operation.
  • the electric signals may include control signals, such as in the form of pulse width modulated signals.
  • the fluids may comprise marking fluids such as inks, fusing and detailing agents, and biological fluids, such as blood, by way of example.
  • the fluidic device (100) may represent a print module of a printing device capable of delivering printing fluids to ejection chambers for ejection onto a substrate or build material (see Figs. 2A-2C and supporting description for further details).
  • the fluidic device (100) may be a replaceable printhead module.
  • a print bar of the printing device may include a number of fluidic devices (100), which may operate in concert in order to form objects, text, and/or images on a target material.
  • the fluidic device (100) may be a component to be used for diagnostic tests on biological fluids (see Fig. 3 and supporting description for further details).
  • the fluidic device (100) may include a diagnostic test device into which fluids, such as blood, may be introduced fortesting.
  • the fluidic device (100) may refer to a replaceable component to enable successive tests with reduced amounts of waste and/or cost.
  • the fluidic device (100) includes a fluidic die (102) that includes an array of fluid actuators (104).
  • the fluid actuators (104) are grouped into different zones, a zone referring to a sub-grouping of the fluid actuators (104) within a particular array.
  • a fluid actuator (104) is in fluid connection with a chamber that holds a volume of the fluid to be move or ejected.
  • the fluid chamber may take many forms.
  • a fluid chamber may be an ejection chamber wherein fluid is expelled by the fluid actuator (104) onto a surface for example such as paper or a 3D build bed.
  • the fluid actuator (104) may be an ejector that ejects fluid through an opening of the fluid chamber.
  • the fluid chamber is a channel through which fluid flows.
  • the fluidic die (102) may include an array of microfluidic channels. Each microfluidic channel includes a fluid actuator (104) that is a fluid pump. In this example, the fluid pump, when activated, displaces fluid within the microfluidic channel. While the present specification may make reference to particular types of fluid actuators (104), the fluidic die (102) may include any number and type of fluid actuators (104).
  • an ejector may be a firing resistor.
  • the firing resistor heats up in response to an applied voltage.
  • a portion of the fluid in an ejection chamber vaporizes to generate a bubble.
  • This bubble pushes fluid out an opening of the fluid chamber and onto a print medium.
  • the fluidic die (102) may be a thermal inkjet (TIJ) fluidic die (102).
  • the fluid actuator (104) may be a piezoelectric device. As a voltage is applied, the piezoelectric device changes shape which generates a pressure pulse in the fluid chamber that pushes the fluid through the chamber.
  • the fluidic die (102) may be a piezoelectric inkjet (PI J) fluidic die (102).
  • T ⁇ activate a particular fluid actuator (104) control signals are sent to the fluidic die (102) that target a particular fluid actuator (104).
  • the array of fluid actuators (104) may be a two-dimensional array with power lines running as columns, and address lines running as rows. Note that in the present specification, mention of a two-dimensional array, may indicate a schematic description and not a spatial arrangement.
  • fluid actuators may be spatially arranged into columns, but are still organized into one group of subsets (i.e. address subsets) and the same actuators may be also organized into a second group of subsets (i.e. primitive subsets).
  • a fluid actuator (104) may be positioned at each junction.
  • a particular power line may be activated which may pass an electrical signal to each of the fluid actuators (104) along the column.
  • a particular address line may be activated which may pass an electrical signal to each of the fluid actuators (104) along the row.
  • reference to columns and rows may indicate a schematic arrangement, and not a spatial arrangement. Accordingly, a fluid actuator (104) fires when 1) a power signal from outside of the fluidic die (102) activates a power line to a zone associated with the fluid actuator (104) and 2) an address signal from outside of the fluidic die (102) activates an address line to which the fluid actuator (104) is coupled.
  • the address lines may be one-hot encoded meaning that one line is active, i.e., passing a voltage, at any given time.
  • These two signals i.e., power signals and address signals
  • the fluidic device (100) includes a constant power device (106) that is coupled to the address lines and generates a constant power output from sequentially activated address lines. That is, the constant power device (106) receives signals from each of the address lines. As these address lines are toggled such that at least one address line is always active, the collected signals can provide a charge to the constant power device (106) which generates a constant power output for downstream on-die devices that may rely on a constant power output.
  • a constant power output may be a constant DC voltage. That is, the address signals described herein simultaneously 1) activate fluid actuators (104) along a particular address line and 2) support constant power supply to a downstream device.
  • the fluidic device (100) of the present specification enables constant power to certain devices even though a received signal may be intermittent and not constant.
  • a fluidic die (102) manufactured using certain processes such as a second process may be implemented with printers intended to operate with a fluid die manufacturing using a second process. In one part, this is accomplished physically by manufacturing fluidic die (102) using the second process to have the same form factor as fluidic die (102) using the first process, the same electrical interconnects (E/I), the same I/O voltage levels, the same data protocols, and the same number of nozzles such that the fluidic die (102) may be interchanged on a respective fluidic device (100).
  • E/I electrical interconnects
  • I/O voltage levels the same I/O voltage levels
  • the same data protocols and the same number of nozzles
  • Facilitating such interchangeability or backwards compatibility also includes converting an inconsistent voltage across multiple address lines into a constant power output. Doing so using the constant power device (106) on the fluidic device (100) or printhead avoids hardware modifications to a printer which may be costly, expensive, and ill-received by customers.
  • the fluidic device (100) allows for the use of certain on-die devices, such as state machines and chamber sensing devices, in printers that they were otherwise not intended to be used with as those printers do not supply a constant voltage.
  • a printer intended to be used with the old fluidic devices (100) may supply just sequentially-activated address signals, which may be one-hot encoded.
  • the fluidic devices (100) as described herein with the constant power devices (106) advanced circuit functions are enabled due to the provision of a constant voltage.
  • CMOS circuits rely on a direct current (DC) power supply.
  • DC direct current
  • a printer intended to be used with certain fluidic devices (100) may not supply that DC supply.
  • the fluidic device (100) of the present specification is robust against this as it converts sequentially-activated signals to provide the constant DC supply.
  • FIGs. 2A - 2C illustrate a fluid ejection system (208) having a fluidic device (100), according to an example of the principles described herein. It is noted that the fluidic devices (100) illustrated in Figs. 2A-2C may include components similar to those illustrated in and operate in a similar manner as the components of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating a fluid ejection system (208) (e.g., a printing device) including a fluidic device (100).
  • the fluid ejection system (208) includes a print bar (210), which includes fluidic devices (100) (one of which is shown), and a fluid supply assembly (212).
  • the fluid supply assembly (212) includes a fluid reservoir (214). From the fluid reservoir (214), a fluid, such as ink, may be provided to the print bar (210) to be fed to the fluidic device (100).
  • a fluid such as ink
  • the fluid supply assembly (212) is separate from the print bar (210) and may supply fluid to the print bar (210) through a tubular connection, such as a supply tube (not shown).
  • the print bar (210) may include the fluid supply assembly (212), and fluid reservoir (214), along with the fluidic device (100). In either example, the fluid reservoir (214) of the fluid supply assembly (212) may be removed and replaced or may be refilled.
  • fluid may be ejected from the nozzles (216) as fluid droplets towards a print medium (218), such as paper, cardstock, and the like.
  • the nozzles (216) of the fluidic device (100) may be arranged in columns or arrays to form characters, symbols, graphics, or other images to be formed on the print medium (218) as the print bar (210) and print medium (218) are moved relative to each other.
  • the fluid is not limited to colored liquids used to form visible images on paper.
  • the fluid may be an electro-active substance used to print circuits and other items, such as solar cells.
  • the fluid may include a magnetic ink.
  • the fluid may take the form of agents and colorless fluids, such as to provide a clear coat on the print medium (218).
  • a mounting assembly (220) may be used to position the print bar (210) relative to the print medium (218).
  • the mounting assembly (220) may be in a fixed position, holding a number of fluidic devices (100), such as the fluidic device (100), above the print medium (218).
  • the mounting assembly (220) may include a motor to move the print bar (210) back and forth across the print medium (218).
  • a media transport assembly (222) may move the print medium (218) relative to the print bar (210), for example, moving the print medium (218) perpendicular to the print bar (210). In the example of Fig.
  • the media transport assembly (222) may include rollers as well as a number of motorized pinch rollers usable to pull the print medium (218), such as in the form of a web, through the printing system (208). If the print bar (210) is moveable, the media transport assembly (222) may index the print medium (218) to new positions. In examples in which the print bar (210) is not moveable, motion of the print medium (218) may be continuous.
  • a controller (224) of the printing system (208) includes a combination of hardware and program code to enable execution of instructions, such as instructions to eject print fluids.
  • the controller (224) may include a number of integrated circuits (ICs) that may operate in conjunction with the program code in order to execute instructions.
  • Examples of the controller (224) may include, for instance, field-programmable gate array (FPGAs), general purpose processing units, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and the like, without limitation.
  • the controller (224) may receive data (e.g., in the form of signals or states) from a host (226), such as a computer.
  • the data may be transmitted over a network connection, which may include an electrical connection, an optical fiber connection, or a wireless connection, among others.
  • Signals transmitted via a network connection may include a document or file to be printed, or may include more elemental items, such as a color plane of a document or a rasterized document.
  • the controller (224) may temporarily store the signals in a local memory for analysis. The analysis may include determining timing control for the ejection of fluidic droplets from the fluidic device (100), as well as motion of the print medium (218) and/or motion of the print bar (210).
  • the controller (224) may operate individual components of the printing system (208) over control lines. Accordingly, the controller (224) may define a pattern of fluid droplets to be ejected and form characters, symbols, graphics, or other objects on the print medium (218).
  • Fig. 2B illustrates a number of fluidic devices (100-1 , 100-2, 100-3) arranged on a print bar (210), a part of which is illustrated in Fig. 2B.
  • print media Fig. 2A, 218
  • printing fluid may be ejected from the fluidic devices (100) onto the print media (Fig. 2A, 218).
  • Control signals may be sent to the fluidic devices (100) to cause ejection of the printing fluid, such as from a controller (Fig. 2A, 224).
  • a controller Fig. 2A, 224
  • Fig. 2C illustrates a fluidic device (100), such as may be used to replace the fluidic devices (100) depicted in Fig. 2B. It is noted, however, that in other cases, rather than replacing individual fluidic devices (100), the print bar (210) may be replaced in its entirety. Replacing the fluidic devices (100) in Fig. 2B with fluidic devices having on-die devices that don’t match received control signals may be possible with a fluidic device like the fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100) illustrated in Fig. 1 , that is a fluidic die (Fig. 1 , 100) with a constant power device (Fig. 1, 106). But before describing the mechanisms and processes to enable such device replacement, a bio-medical device example is presented hereinafter in reference to Fig. 3.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a bio-medical device (328) having fluidic devices (100), according to an example of the principles described herein. That is, Fig. 3 illustrates an implementation in which the fluidic devices (100-1 , 100-2, 100-3, 100-4, 100-5, 100-6) are used in a bio-medical context.
  • the bio-medical device (328) may be a platform that may receive a number of fluidic devices (100), which may be used to manipulate biological fluids for testing purposes. The fluids may be received in reservoirs of the fluidic devices (100) and analyzed and/or tested on fluidic dies (Fig. 1 , 102) of the fluidic devices (100).
  • the tests may be used to test for the presence of certain components of a fluid, such as the presence of a virus, bacteria, or a particular cell.
  • Control signals may be transmitted, such as via biomedical device (328), to the fluidic devices (100).
  • the biomedical device (328) may be designed to use control signals having certain parameters.
  • the bio-medical device (328) may have pulsed and alternating address signals.
  • the replacement fluidic devices (100) may also include structure similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1 , that is with a constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) to convert the alternating address signals into a constant power output.
  • Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a fluidic device (100) to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines (432), according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • the fluidic device (100) includes an array (430) of fluid actuators (104) disposed on a fluidic die (102).
  • the fluidic device (100) also includes a set of address lines (432).
  • a single address line (432) is indicated with a reference number.
  • each address line (432) is coupled to multiple fluid actuators (104) according to a first grouping and are sequentially activated.
  • the fluidic device (100) also includes a set of power lines (434).
  • each power line (434) is coupled to multiple fluid actuators (104) according to a second grouping. That is, the address lines (432) and the power lines (434), while each coupled to a group of fluid actuators (104), may not be coupled to parallel groups of fluid actuators (104).
  • the fluid actuators (104) may be in a crossbar array (430) where rows of fluid actuators (104) are coupled to a single address line (432) and where columns of fluid actuators (104) are coupled to a single power line (434).
  • a crossbar arrangement may refer to a connectivity, or schematic arrangement and not necessarily a physical spatial arrangement.
  • a fluid actuator (104) at a junction of an active address line (432) and an active power line (434) is actuated to eject fluid.
  • Fig 4 also depicts the constant power device (106) which is coupled to the address lines (432) to generate a constant power output from sequentially activated address lines (432). That is, as described above, the address lines (432) provide address signals which activate a particular grouping of fluid actuators (104) and also, when collectively received at the constant power device (106), provide a constant power output. Doing so allows for certain on- die devices (436) to be used on the fluidic device (100), which may provide additional functionality to the fluidic device (100). That is, the fluidic device (100) also includes at least one on-die device (436) downstream of the constant power device (106) to receive the constant power output.
  • the on-die device (436) may be of a variety of types including a digital logic circuit that includes transistors and more particularly a CMOS circuit which is powered by a constant DC voltage.
  • the on-die device (436) may also be an analog circuit. While specific reference is made to particular integrated circuits, the on-die device (436) may be of a variety of other types that rely on constant power to operate. [0058]
  • the on-die device (436) may be a device selected from the group including a closed-loop thermal control unit, a high-side switch, a chamber sensing device, a strain gauge, a state machine, a data register, and a memory device.
  • each of these components may rely on a constant DC voltage source and therefore would not function given just the power signal via the power lines (434) and the toggled address signals via the address lines (432). Accordingly, the present fluidic device (100), by converting the iterative address signals into a constant signal, allows the inclusion of these components on the fluidic device (100).
  • a closed-loop thermal control unit on-die device (436) includes heaters, temperature sensors, analog-to-digital converters, registers, and control logic.
  • the fluidic device (100) accepts a temperature value through a protocol from a printer to enable the control loop. The loop would then use the analog-to-digital converter to measure the temperature sensors, and use the result to decide whether to enable the heaters.
  • the on-die device (436) is a chamber sensing device which is a sensor in the nozzle chamber that can sense characteristics of the fluid in the fluid chamber and of the drive bubble formed when an actuator is activated. By sensing properties of the drive bubble and the fluid in the nozzle chamber, properties of the ejected drop are inferred, which acts as an in-situ nozzle health system.
  • a strain gauge on-die device (436) may have different configurations. In a first configuration, at the rest of the printer, the fluidic device (100) would connect the analog outputs of the strain gauge to pads on the fluidic device (100), so that the printer could measure the value. In another configuration, the fluidic device (100) would connect the analog outputs to its own analog-to-digital converter.
  • the on-die device (436) may be a state machine that would allow the fluidic device (100) to perform autonomous functions without the printer actuating control lines, like making thermal control decisions, or controlling the duration of a fire pulse.
  • the on-die device (436) may be a data register which may be a temporary storage for information transferred to/from the printer. For instance, information sent back to the printer might be the current temperature or strain, and information received from the printer might be the temperature setpoint to warm to.
  • the on-die device (436) may be a memory device, which may be non-volatile memory used to store constant information pertinent to the printhead, such as a model number, a unique identifier, calibration constants, or a running total of printhead usage.
  • each of these and other on-die devices (436) are facilitated via the constant power device (106) which provides the signal that these devices rely on to operate.
  • Fig. 5 is a diagram of a fluidic die (102), according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • the fluidic die (102) may include an interconnect (538), a constant power device (106), and an on-die device (436).
  • Fig. 5 also includes an illustration of a fluid slot (546) fluidically coupled to each fluid ejection chamber (544) via a passage, which allows printing fluid to enter the fluidic die (102) and be distributed to different fluid ejection chambers (544).
  • the fluidic die (102) is illustrated as being built on a substrate (548), such as one made of a semiconductor material (e.g., silicon).
  • a substrate (548) such as one made of a semiconductor material (e.g., silicon).
  • the formation on the substrate (548) may be as part of a build up process (e.g., photolithography) or machining.
  • the constant power device (106) is formed on the fluidic die (102).
  • the constant power device (106) is formed on a housing of the fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100) not on the fluidic die (102).
  • the constant power output is routed to the interconnect (538) and on to downstream components of the fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100) that may or may not be on the fluidic die (102).
  • control signals may be used to cause desired fluid ejection chambers (544) to eject printing fluids.
  • the control signals may be used for addressing (e.g., indicating which ejection chamber of the fluid ejection chambers (544) to activate) and also to actuate fluidic ejection actuators (e.g., thermal inkjet (TIJ) resistors or piezoelectric inkjet (PIJ) actuators).
  • fluidic ejection actuators e.g., thermal inkjet (TIJ) resistors or piezoelectric inkjet (PIJ) actuators.
  • a number of on-die devices (436) may be used to enhance the operation of the fluid actuators (Fig. 1 , 104) or to carry out any number of operations. As described previously, the on-die devices (436) may have operational parameters or thresholds associated with a particular fabrication process used in fabrication thereof.
  • the constant power device (106) may be used to convert an intermittent signal into a constant signal.
  • address signals may be transmitted to the interconnect (538).
  • the address signals may toggle to activate fluid actuators (Fig. 1 , 104) associated with different fluid ejection chambers (544).
  • the address signals may be passed from the interconnect (538) to the constant power device (106) which as described above collects intermittent signals as input and outputs a single constant power output.
  • the constant power outputs may then be passed on to the on-die device(s) (436) to enable operation of the fluidic die (102).
  • Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram of a fluidic device (100) to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines (Fig. 4, 432), according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • the fluid actuator (Fig. 1, 104) may include a resistor which heats up in the presence of an applied voltage, which heating ejects fluid from the respective ejection chamber (Fig. 5, 544).
  • Each resistor is coupled to a transistor which, when activated, allows for current to flow from its respective power line (Fig. 4, 434) through the resistor, causing it to heat up.
  • the gate of this transistor is coupled to the address lines (Fig. 4, 432).
  • the fluidic device couples address lines (Fig. 4, 432) to multiple fluid actuators (Fig. 1, 104) via a first grouping, i.e., along rows, and couples power lines (Fig. 4, 434) to multiple fluid actuators (Fig. 1, 104) via a second grouping, i.e., along columns and a fluid actuator (Fig. 1, 104) is actuated when a corresponding row and column, i.e., address line (Fig. 4, 432) and power line (Fig. 4, 434) are activated.
  • the address lines (Fig. 4, 432) are one-hot encoded meaning that one address line (Fig. 4, 432) is active at a time.
  • a first address line (Fig. 4, 432), Addr[0], may be active and a first power line (Fig. 4, 434), Pwr[0], or multiple power lines (Fig. 4, 434), may be active and all remaining address lines (Fig. 4, 432) and power lines (Fig. 4, 434) may be inactive.
  • a fluid actuator (Fig. 1 , 104) at the intersection of Addr[0] and any active power line (Fig. 4, 434) is triggered to eject or move fluid.
  • the power lines (Fig. 4, 434) are deactivated and the first address line, Addr[0], is deactivated.
  • a second address line (Fig. 4, 432), Addr[1], is then activated and a second subset of power lines (Fig.
  • a fluid actuator (Fig. 1 , 104) at the junction of Addr[1] and any active power line (Fig. 4, 434) is activated. This may be repeated until a particular text, image, and/or pattern is formed. While a particular order, or sequence, of activating address lines (Fig. 4, 432) is presented, any order of activation may be implemented in accordance with the principles described herein. Moreover, the schematic depicted in Fig. 6 may be extended for a desired number of fluid actuators (Fig. 1, 104) that are found on the fluidic die (Fig. 1, 100).
  • CMOS-based integrated circuits examples include CMOS-based integrated circuits and bipolar circuits, among others.
  • constant power supply integrated circuits may include N-type and P-type transistors, the latter being connected to a voltage source.
  • certain manufacturing processes lack the capability to implement P-type transistors, eliminating the ability to implement such constant power supply-based integrated circuits, of which a CMOS circuit is an example.
  • the one-hot encoded address technique is that one address line (Fig. 4, 432) is “hot” at any given time. Therefore, although a single pin is not maintained as a voltage source, some voltage is always present at the fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100). Accordingly, the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) takes advantage of this addressing technique to provide a constant voltage. That is, the output line (654) will be high when at least one address line (Fig. 4, 432) is high.
  • the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) includes a diode (650), which in some examples is per address line (Fig. 4, 432), that prevents current backflow. That is, while Fig. 6 depicts a diode (650) per address line, it may be the case that fewer diodes (650) may be implemented so long as each address line (Fig. 4, 432) is coupled to a diode (650) to prevent current backflow.
  • the constant power device (Fig. 1, 106) also includes an output line (654) connected to each diode (650) to provide constant power to downstream devices on the fluidic die (Fig. 1, 102).
  • the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) includes a capacitor (652) connected to the diodes (650) to store electrical energy between sequential activation of address lines (Fig. 4, 432). That is, there may be a period of time, albeit short, when no power is passed along any address line (Fig. 4, 432), for example, after Addr[0] is shut off and before Addr[1] is turned on. Throughout operation, the capacitor (652) stores the electrical energy such that notwithstanding this transition period, constant power is still supplied via the output line (654).
  • Such an arrangement allows for generating a constant voltage supply on the fluidic device (100) itself, rather than altering the printing device or other system in which the fluidic device (100) is installed. Doing so facilitates using digital DC or analog circuits such as sensing circuitry and those components described above.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method (700) for generating constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines (Fig. 4, 432), according to an example of the principles described herein.
  • sequential address signals are received (block 701) at an electrical interconnect (Fig. 5, 538) of a fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100).
  • the address signals that are received (block 701) from the printer may be one-hot encoded, meaning that just one address signal is activated at a time.
  • multiple address lines (Fig. 4, 432) may be activated at a single time.
  • the present fluidic device (Fig. 1 , 100) can generate a constant power output regardless of the characteristics of the intermittent or toggled received signal.
  • the capacitor (Fig. 6, 652) may store the charge such that notwithstanding the delay, the full voltage is still available for the on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436).
  • these sequential address signals are used to generate (block 702) a constant output power. That is, in the case of sequentially activated address lines (Fig. 4, 432), it may be the case that voltage is always available, albeit not on one address line (Fig. 4, 432). Accordingly, the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) aggregates the sequentially-activated signals so that a constant output is generated on a single output line (Fig. 6, 654).
  • the constant power is passed (block 703) to downstream on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436), which on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436) may be, as noted above, digital circuits such as those that include integrated circuits.
  • the downstream on-die device (Fig. 4, 436) may be an integrated circuit that draws from a constant power supply.
  • a specific example of such a constant power supply integrated circuit is a CMOS circuit.
  • other examples of constant power supply integrated circuits may also be used as the on-die device (Fig. 4, 436) such as any number of bipolar circuits.
  • Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of a fluidic device (100) to generate constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines (Fig. 4, 432), according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • one address line (Fig. 4, 432), Addrfk], is dedicated as a supply line to provide the constant power output.
  • program code in the printer may be provided which treats this address line different from the others. That is, rather than being a toggled address line (Fig. 4, 432), this dedicated address line, Addr[k], is constant, for example consistently active.
  • This dedicated supply line provides the constant voltage output to the downstream on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436) via the output line (654).
  • This same dedicated address line, Addr[k] also provides power to a component of the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106). That is, in this example, the constant power device (Fig. 1 , 106) includes an address decode block (856) per additional address line (Fig. 4, 432) to decode a binary signal, such as a binarily-weighted address signal to activate a corresponding address line (Fig.
  • binary weighting accounts for the count of “1'’s in an address in addition to the location of the 1s in an address.
  • These additional address lines may be toggled and one-hot encoded or may be binarily encoded.
  • Fig. 4, 432 like the address lines in the example depicted in Fig. 6, may be toggled and one-hot encoded or may be binarily encoded.
  • Fig. 4, 432 that are 1-hot encoded
  • By comparison, if there are four address lines (Fig. 4, 432) that are binarily encoded there are 16 possible addresses: 0000, 0001, 0010, 0011, 0100, ..., 1101 , 1110, 1111.
  • just one instance of an address decode block is indicated with a reference number.
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a method (900) for generating constant power output from sequentially-activated address lines (Fig. 4, 432), according to another example of the principles described herein.
  • sequential address signals are received (block 901) along respective address lines (Fig. 4, 432) coupled to an array of fluid actuators (Fig. 1, 104). This may be performed as described above in connection with Fig. 7.
  • the sequential address signals are collected (block 902) in a capacitor (Fig. 6, 652). Doing so accounts for down time in between activation of sequential address signals, or for any other down time that may result during the operation of the system.
  • the capacitor (Fig. 6, 652) also ensures a constant voltage supply to the output line (Fig. 6, 654) as current is drawn down by on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436).
  • the constant output power is then generated (block 903) and passed (block 904) to the downstream on-die devices (Fig. 4, 436) as described above in connection with Fig. 7.
  • MOSFETs metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors
  • BJTs bipolar junction transistors
  • specifics, such as amounts, systems and/or configurations, as examples, were set forth.
  • well-known features were omitted and/or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated and/or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and/or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and/or changes as fall within claimed subject matter.
  • Such devices and systems 1) enable digital and analog circuits on a fluidic die that operate using a constant DC voltage; 2) is backwards compatible with printers that do not provide DC voltage to the fluidic die; and 3) implement existing sequential signals to provide the constant DC voltage.

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  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif fluidique donné à titre d'exemple. Le dispositif fluidique comprend une matrice fluidique. La matrice fluidique comprend un ensemble d'actionneurs fluidiques groupés en zones. Un actionneur fluidique se déclenche lorsque à la fois 1) un signal de puissance provenant de l'extérieur de la matrice fluidique active une ligne d'alimentation vers une zone associée à l'actionneur fluidique et 2) un signal d'adresse provenant de l'extérieur de la matrice fluidique active une ligne d'adresse à laquelle l'actionneur fluidique est accouplé. Le dispositif fluidique comprend également un dispositif à puissance constante accouplé aux lignes d'adresse pour générer une sortie de puissance constante à partir de lignes d'adresse activées séquentiellement.
PCT/US2019/062361 2019-11-20 2019-11-20 Puissance de sortie constante à partir de lignes d'adresse activées séquentiellement WO2021101535A1 (fr)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040212660A1 (en) * 1999-07-30 2004-10-28 Axtell James P. Fluid ejection device
US20050230493A1 (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-20 Benjamin Trudy L Fluid ejection device
EP3431294A1 (fr) * 2017-07-17 2019-01-23 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Tête d'impression fluidique
US20190248134A1 (en) * 2015-02-13 2019-08-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printhead employing data packets including address data

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040212660A1 (en) * 1999-07-30 2004-10-28 Axtell James P. Fluid ejection device
US20050230493A1 (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-20 Benjamin Trudy L Fluid ejection device
US20190248134A1 (en) * 2015-02-13 2019-08-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Printhead employing data packets including address data
EP3431294A1 (fr) * 2017-07-17 2019-01-23 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Tête d'impression fluidique

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