JP4018404B2 - Inkjet recording head, recording apparatus using the inkjet recording head, recording head cartridge, and element substrate - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording head, a recording apparatus using the recording head, a recording head cartridge, and a recording element substrate, and more particularly, for example, a recording head according to an ink jet system that ejects ink using thermal energy, and the recording head The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording head cartridge, and a recording element substrate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A recording head according to an ink jet system that performs recording using thermal energy is provided with a heating element in a portion communicating with an ejection port that discharges ink droplets, and the heating element is energized for only about several microseconds. Recording is performed by generating bubbles in the ink and discharging ink droplets from the discharge ports using the foaming force. In such a recording head, it is easy to arrange a large number of ejection openings and heating elements at high density, so that a high-definition recorded image can be performed.
[0003]
When all the heat generating elements of the recording head are driven simultaneously as described above, the current that flows instantaneously through the recording head becomes large. Usually, several tens to several hundreds of heat generating elements are divided into a plurality of blocks. By controlling the drive timing for each block slightly so that not all the heating elements of the recording head are driven simultaneously, the total current flowing instantaneously can be kept low.
[0004]
Further, when driving a large number of heat generating elements, a drive circuit for the heat generating elements is built in the recording head so that the number of wires between the recording head and the recording apparatus on which the recording head is mounted does not increase. And the structure which incorporates this drive circuit in the Si (silicon) wafer which uses as a board | substrate of a heat generating element is used widely.
[0005]
There are various configurations of this drive circuit, but typical configurations are listed below.
[0006]
The driving of each heating element is controlled by a block control signal (BLKn) indicating a block number of each heating element and a recording signal (DATA) corresponding to the block control signal. As the block control signal (BLKn), a signal obtained by encoding a block number into binary data is used. The value obtained by dividing the total number of heat generating elements (T) by the total number of blocks (N) is the number of heat generating elements that can be driven simultaneously by one driving operation (M = T / N), and 1 bit of recording data generates 1 heat. Assuming that each element is transferred corresponding to the heating elements that are simultaneously driven by one driving operation, M is a bit of a recording signal (DATA) that simultaneously drives the heating elements (recording elements) by one driving operation. Is a number.
[0007]
Furthermore, the number of bits of the recording signal (DATA) that has a gate or a transistor having the same number of bits as the number of heating elements (T) and simultaneously drives the heating elements (recording elements) in one driving operation and the block control signal ( BLKn) bit shift registers and latch circuits are provided. Then, one serial data composed of the recording signal (DATA) and the block control signal (BLKn) is serially transferred from the recording device to the shift register and latched, and the latched block control signal is transferred to the shift register. As a result of decoding, the transistor corresponding to each heating element is driven through the gate corresponding to the latched recording signal and the driving signal given to each block.
[0008]
The transistor may be either a bipolar transistor or an FET.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional driving circuit has the following problems.
[0010]
That is, in the case of a recording head having a large number of heating elements, the bit length of serial data consisting of a recording signal and a block control signal becomes long. On the other hand, serial data transfer is performed using a single signal line.
[0011]
Now, a semiconductor process for manufacturing a print head to prevent an increase in the cost of manufacturing the print head by introducing a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus and mass-producing the circuit board of the print head and to reduce the cost by making the apparatus common If they are the same, it is impossible to specially configure and manufacture a circuit with an increased serial data transfer clock frequency.
[0012]
Therefore, as the bit length of the serial data becomes longer, the time required for transferring the serial data inevitably becomes longer, resulting in a problem that the transfer time becomes a bottleneck and the recording time cannot be shortened.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and is capable of recording at higher speed even when the number of recording elements is large, a recording apparatus using the recording head, a recording head cartridge, and a recording element. The object is to provide a substrate.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention Inkjet as one aspect of Recording head , M × N recording elements, and the M × N recording elements are divided into N blocks each of M, and each time M recording signals are received, the M recording elements are driven. , An ink jet recording head that drives M × N recording elements by time division driving by N times, wherein L (L <M) of the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements. A first shift register that serially inputs a recording signal corresponding to the recording element from a first signal line using a clock signal and temporarily stores the recording signal, and among the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements (M -L) A recording signal corresponding to the number of recording elements and a selection control signal for selecting one of the N blocks are serially input from the second signal line using the clock signal to temporarily A second shift register stored in the memory and the selection control signal A decoder that generates a block selection signal that performs coding and block selection, and M recording elements that belong to a block selected based on the block selection signal are stored in the first and second shift registers. And a selective driving circuit that is driven by a recording signal corresponding to each recording element. .
[0022]
A recording head cartridge according to another aspect of the present invention, Of the above configuration Inkjet Recording head and the recording head Inkjet An ink tank storing ink supplied to the recording head is connected.
[0024]
A recording apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention, Of the above configuration Inkjet A recording apparatus that performs recording using a recording head, wherein recording data is converted into recording signals corresponding to M recording elements per block recording, and the recording signals are connected to the first and second signal lines. Through the clock signal Inkjet Control means for controlling transfer to the recording head is provided.
[0026]
An element substrate according to still another aspect of the present invention, At least M × N Pieces Recording elements With , M × N Pieces of Said Recording element Is divided into N blocks by M, and each time M recording signals are received, the recording elements are driven by M and driven N times. M x N pieces An element substrate of an ink jet recording head that drives the recording element in a time-sharing manner, Corresponding to the M recording elements Said A first shift register that serially inputs a recording signal corresponding to L (L <M) recording elements of the recording signals from a first signal line using a clock signal and stores the recording signal; Of the recording signals corresponding to the recording elements, the recording signal corresponding to (ML) recording elements and one of the N blocks are selected. for A second shift register that serially inputs a selection control signal from the second signal line using the clock signal and temporarily stores the selection control signal; A decoder for decoding the selection control signal to generate a block selection signal for performing block selection; Said Block selection signal A selection drive circuit for driving M recording elements belonging to the block selected based on the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements stored in the first and second shift registers; Have , The recording element, the first shift register, the second shift register The decoder The selective drive circuit is formed on the same substrate.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0032]
<Outline of the main unit>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of the configuration of an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) IJRA which is a representative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has a pin (not shown). It is supported by the guide rail 5003 and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b. On the carriage HC, an integrated ink jet cartridge IJC incorporating a recording head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the recording paper P against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photo-couplers which are home position detectors for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the recording head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction unit that sucks the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the cap opening 5023. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade, and reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that enables the blade to be moved in the front-rear direction. Needless to say, the blade is not in this form, and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves in accordance with the movement of the cam 5020 engaged with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0033]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at their corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the home position side region. As long as the above operation is performed, any of these can be applied to this example.
[0034]
<Description of control configuration>
Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.
[0035]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the printer IJRA. In the figure, showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting print data, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is various data (supplied to the print data and print head IJH). A recording signal or the like). Reference numeral 1704 denotes a gate array (GA) that controls supply of recording signals to the recording head IJH, and also performs data transfer control among the interface 1700, MPU 1701, and DRAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for conveying the recording head IJH, and 1709 denotes a conveyance motor for conveying a recording medium (for example, recording paper). Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head IJH, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.
[0036]
The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When recording data enters the interface 1700, the recording data is converted into a recording signal for printing between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701. The motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head IJH is driven according to the recording data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform recording.
[0037]
As described above, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be integrally formed to constitute a replaceable ink cartridge IJC. However, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH can be separated from each other. Then, only the ink tank IT may be exchanged when the ink runs out.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the configuration of the ink cartridge IJC in which the ink tank and the head can be separated. In the ink cartridge IJC, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH can be separated at the position of the boundary line K. When the ink cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, an electrode (not shown) for receiving an electric signal supplied from the carriage HC side is provided, and by this electric signal, the recording head IJH as described above is provided. Is driven to eject ink.
[0039]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 500 denotes an ink discharge port array. The ink tank IT is provided with a fibrous or porous ink absorber for holding the ink, and the ink is held by the ink absorber.
[0040]
Next, a detailed configuration of the drive circuit for the recording head IJH used in the printer IJRA having the above configuration will be described.
[0041]
The recording head IJH in this embodiment has 324 recording elements (heat generating elements) for ejecting ink, and these recording elements are divided into 12 blocks of 27 (number of divisions (N) = 12). This is divided, and one recording element (total of 27 recording elements) from each block is simultaneously driven (the number of recording elements to be driven simultaneously by one driving (M) = 27).
[0042]
<Detailed configuration of recording head IJH>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drive circuit on the element substrate constituting the recording head IJH.
[0043]
This element substrate is obtained by forming a circuit as shown in FIG. 4 on a substrate such as silicon by a film forming technique. A recording head IJH is configured by arranging a flow path for supplying ink and a discharge port for discharging ink at positions corresponding to the heating elements of the substrate.
[0044]
This circuit is configured to provide recording signals (D1 to D27) and block control signals (B1 to B4) supplied to the recording head IJH via a shift register and a latch circuit. As shown in FIG. 4, the recording signal (DATA1) supplied from the printer IJRA is composed of recording signals (D1 to D16), and the recording signal (DATA2) is a recording signal (D17 to D27) and a block control signal. (B1 to B4).
[0045]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 103 denotes a 16-bit shift register that serially inputs a recording signal (DATA1) in accordance with a clock signal (CK) supplied from the printer IJRA, and reference numeral 104 denotes 16 in accordance with a latch signal (LATCH) supplied from the printer IJRA. A 16-bit latch circuit that latches the 16-bit recording signal (DATA1) stored in the bit shift register 103, and 108 serially inputs the recording signal (DATA2) according to the clock signal (CK) supplied from the printer IJRA. A 5-bit shift register 105 is an 11-bit shift register that serially inputs a recording signal (DATA2) shifted from the shift register 108 in accordance with a clock signal (CK) supplied from the printer IJRA. It is a 11-bit latch circuit for latching the recording data of 11 bits stored in the 11 bit shift register 105 in accordance with a latch signal supplied (LATCH) from the printer IJRA.
[0046]
Reference numeral 109 denotes a 4-bit latch circuit that latches 4-bit block control signals (B1 to B4) stored in the 5-bit shift register 108 in accordance with a latch signal (LATCH) supplied from the printer IJRA. The AND circuit 107 calculates the logical product of the signal (ENB) and each bit of the recording signal of a total of 27 bits latched by the 16-bit latch circuit 104 and the 11-bit latch circuit 106.
[0047]
Reference numeral 110 denotes a 4 → 12 decoder that receives and decodes block control signals (B1 to B4) supplied from the printer IJRA and generates block selection signals (N1 to N12). H1 to H324 generate heat for recording. T1 to T324 are power transistors for energizing the heating elements H1 to H324, and A1 to A324 are AND circuits corresponding to the power transistors T1 to T324. The AND circuits A1 to A324 execute a logical product of the recording signals (D1 to D27) input from the printer IJRA and the block selection signals (N1 to N12) output from the 4 → 12 decoder 110.
[0048]
In this way, based on the selection by the block selection signals (N1 to N12), the output from the AND circuit 107 is supplied to the heating elements H1 to H324 as the recording signals (D1 to D27). The drive timings and drive pulse widths of the heating elements H1 to H324 are determined by these outputs and the block selection signals (N1 to N12) which are outputs from the 4 → 12 decoder 110. The enable signal (ENB) operates with negative logic. That is, when the enable signal (ENB) is “low”, the heat generating elements H1 to H324 are driven.
[0049]
In addition, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the seven signal lines (recording signal (DATA1), recording signal (DATA2), including the supply line for the power supply voltage (VH) and the signal line for the ground voltage (GNDH) are included. ), A clock (CK), an enable signal (ENB), a latch signal (LATCH), a power supply voltage (VH), and a ground voltage (GNDH) signal line) are present between the printer IJRA.
[0050]
The drive circuit shown in this embodiment is formed on the same semiconductor substrate (for example, a silicon substrate) using a semiconductor manufacturing process, together with the heat generating elements H1 to H324 and the power transistors A1 to A324 energizing the heat generating elements H1 to H324.
[0051]
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the recording head IJH configured as shown in FIG.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 5 and also from the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) can be transferred in parallel using a common clock signal (CK). it can. Since the 4-bit block control signal (B1 to B4) is transferred using the same signal line following the 11-bit recording signal (DATA2), when the 16-bit recording data (DATA1) has been transferred ( Since t = t1) in FIG. 5 and the transfer of the 11-bit recording signal (DATA2) and the 4-bit block control signals (B1 to B4) have been completed, the latch signal (LATCH) is immediately transmitted. (T = t2 in FIG. 5), the latch operation of the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) of a total of 27 bits and the block control signals (B1 to B4) of 4 bits can be executed.
[0053]
When the latch operation is completed, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) are immediately supplied to the signal input terminals from the latch circuit of the AND circuit 107, and the signal input terminals from the 4 → 12 decoder 110 of the AND circuits A1 to A324 are supplied. Is in a state in which block selection signals (N1 to N12) are supplied.
[0054]
Accordingly, as soon as the enable signal (ENB) is supplied from the printer, the power transistors T1 to T324 are driven to perform the recording operation (t = t3). In this state, since the latch operation is completed, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) and the block control signals (B1 to B4) in the next cycle can be input.
[0055]
As described above, the drive circuit of the print head IJH according to this embodiment has the 16-bit shift register 103, the 5-bit shift register 108, and the 11-bit shift register 105 send the print signals (DATA1 and DATA2) supplied from the printer. Even if the serial transfer timing overlaps with the input timing of the enable signal (ENB) for driving the heat generating element supplied from the printer, it operates. As a result, the transfer timing and the drive timing can be temporally overlapped, so that the transfer timing interval of the recording signal and the drive timing interval of the heating element can be shortened. As a result, the recording speed of the printer IJRA Will improve.
[0056]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout configuration when a recording head element substrate is formed on a semiconductor chip. In the configuration shown in this figure, there are two sets of the circuit shown in FIG. As a material (element base) of the recording head element substrate, a Si (silicon) wafer or the like is used as in the conventional case.
[0057]
221, 222, 223 and 224 are provided with signal lines (recording data DATA 1 and DATA 2, latch signal LATCH, clock signal CK, enable signal ENB, power supply voltage VH, ground voltage GNDH) supplied from the printer IJRA main body to the recording head IJK. This is an input terminal area for connection.
[0058]
The recording data DATA1 is connected to the terminals 221 and 222, and the recording data DATA2 is connected to the terminals 223 and 224. Reference numerals 219 and 220 denote 16-bit shift register areas, which are constituted by the 16-bit shift register 103. Reference numerals 224 and 225 denote 16-bit shift register areas, each of which includes a 5-bit shift register 108 and an 11-bit shift register 105.
[0059]
Reference numerals 217 and 218 denote 16-bit latch circuit areas, which are constituted by the 16-bit latch circuit 104. Reference numerals 226 and 227 are areas of a 16-bit latch circuit, and are configured by a 4-bit latch circuit 109 and an 11-bit latch circuit 106.
[0060]
215 and 216 are areas of the AND circuit 107, 203 and 204 are areas of the decoder 110, 209 and 210 are areas of the AND gates of A1 to 324, and 211 and 212 are areas of the power transistors of T1 to 324. 213 and 214 are areas of the heating elements H1 to 324. Reference numerals 207 and 208 denote wiring areas for the signal lines D1 to 27, N1 to 12, and B1 to 4, respectively.
[0061]
Reference numerals 200 and 201 denote areas of a booster circuit for increasing the gate voltage of the power transistor above the driving voltage of the logic circuit in order to increase the driving capability of the power transistors 211 and 212. Reference numeral 202 denotes an area of a supply hole for supplying ink to the heating elements H1 to 324 from the back surface. Reference numerals 205 and 206 denote drive circuit areas including one heat generating element and a power transistor and an AND gate provided corresponding to the heat generating element.
[0062]
Needless to say, in order to simultaneously transfer recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) from the printer using the recording head IJH according to this embodiment, two signal lines and a common clock signal (for this transfer) ( CK) is connected to the recording head IJH, and the recording data of 324 bits per recording operation is divided into 12 according to the configuration of the recording head IJH, and the divided 27-bit recording data is divided into 12 parts. The MPU 1701 controls to transfer the former to a recording signal (DATA1) and transfer the latter to the recording head IJH as a recording signal (DATA2) in 16 bits and 11 bits.
[0063]
According to the embodiment described above, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) can be divided into two using one clock signal (CK) and transferred to the recording head in parallel. Even if the hit recording signal is long, it can be divided and transferred by simple control, thereby shortening the transfer time of the recording signal. Furthermore, as described above, the time required for the recording operation can be shortened by overlapping the drive section of the heating elements H1 to 324 and the transfer time of the recording signal. In this way, the recording operation can be speeded up.
[0064]
Further, if it is controlled to transfer the recording signal only after the driving of the heating elements H1 to 324 is completed, the 16-bit latch circuit 104, the 11-bit latch circuit 106, and the 4-bit latch circuit shown in FIG. It is also possible to omit 109 from the drive circuit of the recording head, which has the advantage that the circuit scale can be reduced.
[0065]
Further, as can be seen from the time chart of FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) are converted into 16-bit shift registers 103, 5 using both rising and falling edges of the clock signal (CK). The bit shift register 108 and the 11 bit shift register 105 are incorporated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the recording signal may be captured in synchronization with only the rising edge or the falling edge of the clock signal (CK).
[0066]
Furthermore, the shift register may be configured from a flip-flop circuit that operates in synchronization with the edge of the clock signal (CK), or a latch circuit that includes a through latch. Similarly, the 16-bit latch circuit 104, the 11-bit latch circuit 106, and the 4-bit latch circuit 109 may be configured from a latch circuit to a flip-flop circuit, or the latch logic of the latch circuit may be set to high-through. If the flip-flop circuit is used, the signal capture condition may be the rising edge or falling edge of the latch signal.
[0067]
Furthermore, instead of the AND gate 107 having the above configuration, an AND gate for obtaining a logical product of the block selection signals (N1 to N12) and the enable signal (ENB) which are the outputs of the 4 → 12 decoder 110 may be provided. The AND operation of the AND circuit A1 to the logical product of the block selection signal (N1 to N12), the enable signal (ENB) and the outputs of the 16-bit latch circuit 104 and the 11-bit latch circuit 106, which are outputs of the 4 → 12 decoder 110 The configuration of A324 may be realized by a three-input configuration.
[0068]
In the embodiment described above, the block control signals (B1 to B4) are serially transferred using the same signal line as the recording data (DATA2), and then this signal is decoded. (N1 to N12) itself may be serially transferred to delete the 4 → 12 decoder.
[0069]
In the embodiment described above, the recording data (DATA2) and the block control signals (B1 to B4) following the recording data (DATA2) are transferred to the shift register 108, and the subsequent shift is performed via the shift register 108. The recording data (DATA2) is transferred to the register 105, but the recording data (DATA2) is input from the shift register 105, so that the block control signal (B1 to B2) precedes the recording data (DATA2). B4) may be transferred.
[0070]
Furthermore, the recording signals (DATA1 and DATA2) and the block control signal may be allocated to the signal lines in any manner.
[0071]
Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the recording signal is transferred by two signal lines (signal lines for transferring DATA1 and DATA2), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of a recording head having a large number of heating elements, it goes without saying that the number of recording lines may be further increased from two.
[0072]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the shift register and latch circuit connected to DATA1 and the shift register and latch circuit connected to DATA2 are connected to terminals on opposite sides in terms of the chip layout, so that the shift register and latch circuit are latched. Since the shift register and the latch circuit can be laid out more evenly when the circuit is provided at both ends of the recording element column than when the circuit is provided at one end of the recording element column, the circuit balance is improved. The overall arrangement area can be reduced. Therefore, the yield from one semiconductor wafer is increased, and the cost of the recording head can be reduced.
[0073]
In the above embodiment, the liquid droplets ejected from the recording head have been described as ink, and the liquid stored in the ink tank has been described as ink. However, the storage is limited to ink. It is not a thing. For example, a treatment liquid discharged to the recording medium may be accommodated in the ink tank in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.
[0074]
The above embodiment includes means (for example, an electrothermal converter, a laser beam, etc.) that generates thermal energy as energy used for performing ink discharge, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and the ink is generated by the thermal energy. By using a system that causes a change in the state of recording, it is possible to achieve higher recording density and higher definition.
[0075]
As its typical configuration and principle, for example, those performed using the basic principle disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 are preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and giving a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is pulse-shaped, the bubble growth and contraction is performed immediately and appropriately, and thus it is possible to achieve the discharge of liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness.
[0076]
As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by employing the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface.
[0077]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (straight liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting surface The configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer, or an opening that absorbs a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged to a plurality of electrothermal transducers. A configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461 disclosing a configuration corresponding to each part may be adopted.
[0078]
Furthermore, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used.
[0079]
In addition to the cartridge-type recording head in which the ink tank is integrally provided in the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus body by being attached to the apparatus body. A replaceable chip type recording head that can supply ink from the apparatus main body may be used.
[0080]
In addition, it is preferable to add recovery means, preliminary means, and the like for the recording head to the configuration of the recording apparatus described above because the recording operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include a capping unit for the recording head, a cleaning unit, a pressurizing or sucking unit, an electrothermal converter, a heating element different from this, or a preheating unit using a combination thereof. In addition, it is effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection different from recording in order to perform stable recording.
[0081]
Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrated or may be a combination of a plurality of colors. An apparatus having at least one of full colors can also be provided.
[0082]
In the embodiment described above, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid, but it may be an ink that is solidified at room temperature or lower, or an ink that is softened or liquefied at room temperature, Alternatively, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable discharge range by adjusting the temperature within a range of 30 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower. It is sufficient if the ink sometimes forms a liquid.
[0083]
In addition, it is solidified in a stand-by state in order to actively prevent temperature rise by heat energy as energy for changing the state of ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent ink evaporation. Ink that is liquefied by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy according to the application of thermal energy according to the recording signal, the ink is liquefied and liquid ink is ejected, or when it reaches the recording medium, it already starts to solidify. The present invention can also be applied to the case of using ink having the property of liquefying for the first time. In such a case, the ink is held as a liquid or solid in a porous sheet recess or through-hole as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, It is good also as a form which opposes with respect to an electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-described inks is to execute the above-described film boiling method.
[0084]
In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception function are provided as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer or the like. It may take the form of a facsimile machine.
[0085]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even if it is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.
[0086]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0087]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the transfer of the recording signal necessary for driving the M recording elements belonging to each block divided into N blocks and the selection control signal necessary for the block selection are performed using L Recording signals corresponding to (L <M) recording elements are serially input from the first signal line using a clock signal, and recording signals and selection control corresponding to the remaining (ML) recording elements are performed. Since the signal is serially input from the second signal line using the same clock signal, even when a recording head having a large number of recording elements is used, it is composed of a recording signal and a selection control signal. Since the signal to be transferred can be transferred from the recording device by dividing the signal into a plurality of serial data, the serial data transfer time can be shortened.
[0089]
This has the advantage that the recording time is shortened and the total recording speed can be improved.
[0090]
Further, since the recording signal is transferred using the same clock signal, the data transfer time can be reduced with a simple configuration without requiring complicated transfer control.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an inkjet printer IJRA that is a representative embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the ink jet printer.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a configuration of an ink cartridge IJC in which an ink tank and a head can be separated.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a driving circuit of the recording head IJH.
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing drive timing of the recording head IJH having the configuration shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout configuration when a recording head element substrate is formed on a semiconductor chip.
[Explanation of symbols]
1700 interface
1701 MPU
1702 ROM
1703 RAM
1704 Gate array (GA)
1705 head driver
IJH recording head

Claims (14)

With M × N recording elements,
The M × N recording elements are divided into N blocks of M, and each time M recording signals are received, the recording elements are driven M times and M × N by driving N times. An ink jet recording head for driving the recording elements in a time-sharing manner,
Of the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements, recording signals corresponding to L (L <M) recording elements are serially input from a first signal line using a clock signal and temporarily stored. A first shift register that
Of the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements, a recording signal corresponding to (ML) recording elements and a selection control signal for selecting one of the N blocks are used as the clock signal. A second shift register that serially inputs from the second signal line using the first signal line and temporarily stores it,
A decoder for decoding the selection control signal to generate a block selection signal for performing block selection;
A selection driving circuit for driving M recording elements belonging to a block selected based on the block selection signal by a recording signal corresponding to the M recording elements stored in the first and second shift registers; An inkjet recording head comprising: A first latch circuit for latching recording signals corresponding to the L recording elements stored in the first shift register;
A second latch circuit for latching recording signals corresponding to the (ML) recording elements stored in the second shift register;
The inkjet recording head according to claim 1, further comprising a third latch circuit that latches a selection control signal stored in the second shift register.   The inkjet recording head according to claim 2, wherein the decoder decodes the selection control signal latched by the third latch circuit. The selection driving circuit includes an AND circuit that calculates a logical product of the recording signal latched by the first and second latch circuits and the block selection signal, and is driven based on the calculation result of the AND circuit. 3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 2 , wherein the elements are selected in a time division manner.   3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 2, wherein the latch operation in the first, second, and third latch circuits is executed by a common latch signal.   The inkjet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the M × N recording elements include an electrothermal transducer. It said ink jet recording head, for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, by energizing the electrothermal transducer, an ink jet according to claim 6, characterized in that for generating thermal energy applied to the ink Recording head.   2. A recording head cartridge comprising the ink jet recording head according to claim 1 and an ink tank storing ink supplied to the ink jet recording head.   The recording head cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the ink jet recording head and the ink tank are separable.   9. The recording head cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the ink jet recording head and the ink tank are integrated. A recording apparatus that performs recording using the inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The inkjet recording head converts the recording data into a recording signal corresponding to M recording elements per block of recording, and uses the clock signal via the first and second signal lines. A recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling to transfer to the recording medium.   In order to execute a recording operation by driving a recording element corresponding to one block transferred immediately before the transfer while transferring a recording signal corresponding to recording for one block to the ink jet recording head. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the recording apparatus is controlled to transfer an enable signal. At least M × N recording elements,
The M × N recording elements are divided into N blocks of M, and each time M recording signals are received, the recording elements are driven M times and M × N by driving N times. An element substrate of an ink jet recording head for driving the recording element in a time-sharing manner,
Of the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements, recording signals corresponding to L (L <M) recording elements are serially input from a first signal line using a clock signal and temporarily stored. A first shift register that
Of the recording signals corresponding to the M recording elements, a recording signal corresponding to (ML) recording elements and a selection control signal for selecting one of the N blocks are used as the clock signal. A second shift register that serially inputs from the second signal line using the first signal line and temporarily stores it,
A decoder for decoding the selection control signal to generate a block selection signal for performing block selection;
A selection driving circuit for driving M recording elements belonging to a block selected based on the block selection signal by a recording signal corresponding to the M recording elements stored in the first and second shift registers; Have
An element substrate, wherein the recording element, the first shift register, the second shift register, the decoder, and the selection drive circuit are formed on the same substrate. An ink supply hole for supplying ink;
14. The element substrate according to claim 13, wherein the first shift register and the second shift register are respectively disposed at both ends of the element substrate in the length direction of the ink supply hole.

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