CN101239533B - Inkjet recording apparatus, manufacturing method of inkjet head, and checking method of the head - Google Patents

Inkjet recording apparatus, manufacturing method of inkjet head, and checking method of the head Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101239533B
CN101239533B CN2008100053997A CN200810005399A CN101239533B CN 101239533 B CN101239533 B CN 101239533B CN 2008100053997 A CN2008100053997 A CN 2008100053997A CN 200810005399 A CN200810005399 A CN 200810005399A CN 101239533 B CN101239533 B CN 101239533B
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China
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terminal
inspection
actuator unit
unit
common electrode
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CN101239533A (en
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伊藤孝治
三轮祐司
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Brother Industries Ltd
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Brother Industries Ltd
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Abstract

An inkjet recording apparatus includes a passage unit in which individual ink passages are formed, an actuator unit fixed to the passage unit, a flat flexible substrate, and a drive signal outputting unit. The actuator unit includes individual electrodes, a common electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and individual lands. The flat flexible substrate includes output terminals connected to the respective individual lands, and a check terminal bonded to a bonding face of the actuator unit. The drive signal outputting unit outputs drive signals to be supplied to the individual electrodes via the respective output terminals. Based on a measurement result of an electrical characteristic with respect to the check terminal, it is judged whether the check terminal has been peeled off from the bonding face of the actuator unit.

Description

The manufacture method of inkjet recording device, ink gun and inspection method thereof
Technical field
The present invention relates to spray the inkjet recording device that ink droplet prints, the manufacture method of ink gun and inspection method thereof.
Background technology
With ejection of ink drops to comprising channel unit and piezoelectric actuator such as the ink gun on the recording medium of printing paper, described channel unit has the nozzle that sprays ink droplet and each ink channel that comprises the pressure chamber that is connected to each nozzle, described piezoelectric actuator is an actuator unit, and being used for provides the injection energy to the ink of each pressure chamber.Piezoelectric actuator changes the volume of pressure chamber so that the pressure in the pressure chamber to be provided.The Japanese patent unexamined communique has disclosed a kind of piezoelectric actuator 2002-36568 number, and this piezoelectric actuator comprises the piezoelectric patches that is positioned on a plurality of pressure chambers; Thereby on a plurality of surfaces that are positioned at piezoelectric patches in the face of the absolute electrode of each pressure chamber; With the common electrode that is positioned to face each absolute electrode by piezoelectric patches.The connection lug plate that is electrically connected to each absolute electrode is that independent lug plate is positioned on the surface of piezoelectric actuator.Each connects lug plate and joins to and be positioned at as near the terminal the end of the flat cable of flat flexible substrate.Each terminal is connected to the on-chip lead of more high-grade control by the lead that is formed on the flat cable.Flat cable provides the driving signal by this terminal to each absolute electrode.When the driving signal as pulse sequence signal offers absolute electrode by flat cable, on a part that is clipped in piezoelectric patches wherein by absolute electrode and common electrode, produce electric field along piezoelectric patches.Thereby the thickness of this part of piezoelectric patches increases.Thereby corresponding pressure chamber changes its volume provides pressure with the ink in pressure chamber.
Summary of the invention
The set-up mode of flat cable may bring stress to the joint interface that is arranged on the terminal on the flat cable and be arranged between the connection lug plate on the piezoelectric actuator.This stress may cause that terminal peels off from connecting lug plate.
Especially, when flat cable curved the right angle with respect to joint interface, the hithermost terminal of range curvature part was easy to peel off from the corresponding connection lug plate that is arranged on the piezoelectric actuator.That is, flat cable is easy to separate from piezoelectric actuator.Very difficult visual inspection is arranged on the terminal on the flat cable and is arranged on bond quality between the connection lug plate on the piezoelectric actuator.Drive ink gun from all nozzle ejection ink droplets by reality, can check whether terminal and the electrical connection that connects between the lug plate be good.Yet this inspection method quite bothers.In addition, because in fact this inspection method ink inside is provided to ink gun, also be difficult to repair ink gun when being electrically connected defective even therefore in ink gun, have been found that.
On the other hand, be arranged on the terminal on the flat cable and the joint defect that is arranged between the connection lug plate on the piezoelectric actuator causes that the yield rate of ink gun reduces.Therefore, making and checking in the process of ink gun, the engaging condition that comprises heating-up temperature, heat time heating time and activating pressure that is arranged on the terminal on the flat cable and is arranged between the connection lug plate on the piezoelectric actuator must be controlled, thereby make terminal and be connected the mutual positive engagement of lug plate.In order to control engaging condition, the producer must grasp the degree that flat cable separates from piezoelectric actuator under the engaging condition of practical operation.Yet, be difficult to this separation degree of visual inspection.
A target of the present invention provides a kind ofly can easily find the inkjet recording device that flat flexible substrate is separated with actuator unit.
Another target of the present invention provides a kind of manufacture method and inspection method and inkjet recording device of ink gun, and wherein producer or user can easily grasp the degree that flat flexible substrate is separated with actuator unit.
According to an aspect of the present invention, inkjet recording device comprises that forming each all leads to the channel unit of a plurality of independent ink channels of nozzle by pressure chamber; With the actuator unit that is fixed on this channel unit.This actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between a plurality of absolute electrodes and the common electrode, a plurality of independent lug plate on the composition surface relative with the stationary plane with the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit that is positioned at actuator unit, these a plurality of independent lug plates are electrically connected to each absolute electrode.This device further comprises flat flexible substrate, a plurality of inspection terminals that this substrate comprises the lead-out terminal that joins each independent lug plate to and joins the composition surface of actuator unit to; Output will be provided to the driving signal output unit of the driving signal of a plurality of absolute electrodes by a plurality of lead-out terminals; Measure and the measuring unit of checking the electrical characteristic that terminal is relevant; Judge the judging unit of checking whether terminal separates with the composition surface of actuator unit with measurement result based on measuring unit.
According to the present invention, can judge by measuring whether the inspection terminal peels off from the composition surface of actuator unit with the straightforward procedure of checking the electrical characteristic that terminal is relevant.Therefore, in the manufacture process of ink gun, can find easily that flat flexible substrate separates with actuator unit.In addition, even when flat flexible substrate is separated with actuator unit, can find easily that also this separates behind the transportation ink gun.In this manual, " flat flexible substrate is separated with actuator unit " be meant that one or more independent lug plates peel off from corresponding lead-out terminal separately.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the manufacture method of ink gun comprises fixing step, engagement step, measuring process and determining step.The actuator unit that fixing step will comprise a plurality of absolute electrodes, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between a plurality of absolute electrodes and the common electrode and be electrically connected to a plurality of independent lug plates of absolute electrode separately is fixed to and forms each and all lead to the channel unit of a plurality of independently ink channels of nozzle by pressure chamber, thereby described a plurality of absolute electrode is relative with separately pressure chamber; Engagement step will comprise that the flat flexible substrate of a plurality of lead-out terminals and a plurality of inspection terminals joins actuator unit to, thereby a plurality of inspection terminals are engaged to the composition surface of the actuator unit relative with the stationary plane of the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit, and these a plurality of independent lug plates are engaged to lead-out terminal separately; Measuring process is measured the relevant electrical characteristic of a plurality of inspection terminals with the composition surface that joins actuator unit to; Determination step is judged the quantity of the inspection terminal that has peeled off from the composition surface of actuator unit according to the measurement result in the measuring process.
The inspection method of ink gun is provided according to another aspect of the invention.This ink gun comprises that forming each all leads to the channel unit of a plurality of independently ink channels of nozzle by pressure chamber; With the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit.Actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between a plurality of absolute electrodes and the common electrode, a plurality of independent lug plate on the composition surface relative with the stationary plane with the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit that is positioned at actuator unit, these a plurality of independent lug plates are electrically connected to each absolute electrode.This ink gun further comprises flat flexible substrate, and this substrate comprises a plurality of lead-out terminals that join each independent lug plate to and joins a plurality of inspection terminals on the composition surface of actuator unit to.This method comprises the measuring process of measuring the electrical characteristic relevant with a plurality of inspection terminals; With the determination step of judging the quantity of the inspection terminal that has peeled off according to the measurement result in the measuring process from the composition surface of actuator unit.
According to another aspect of the invention, inkjet recording device comprises that forming each all leads to the channel unit of a plurality of independently ink channels of nozzle by pressure chamber; With the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit.Actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between a plurality of absolute electrodes and the common electrode, a plurality of independent lug plate on the composition surface relative with the stationary plane with the actuator unit that is fixed to channel unit that is positioned at actuator unit, these a plurality of independent lug plates are electrically connected to each absolute electrode.This device further comprises the flat flexible substrate that is made of a plurality of lead-out terminals that join each independent lug plate to and a plurality of inspection terminals that join the composition surface of actuator unit to; Measure the measuring unit of the electrical characteristic relevant with these a plurality of inspection terminals; With the judging unit of judging the quantity of the inspection terminal that has peeled off based on the measurement result of measuring unit from the composition surface of actuator unit.
According to the present invention, by checking the quantity of the inspection terminal that peels off from the composition surface of actuator unit, the producer can easily grasp the degree that flat flexible substrate is separated with actuator unit.Just the engaging condition in the control engagement step is become easily, and improve the yield rate of ink gun like this.In addition, producer and user can easily judge whether to exist flat flexible substrate to separate with actuator unit and cause the possibility of fault.
Description of drawings
From description taken together with the accompanying drawings hereinafter, other target of the present invention, feature and advantage will show more fully, wherein:
Fig. 1 is the side view according to the major part of the ink-jet printer of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is the transverse sectional view of the ink gun shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is the plane of the ink gun main body shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is by the zoomed-in view that replaces length dotted line region surrounded among Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is the cutaway view along V-V line among Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 A is the phantom of the actuator unit shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 B is the partial plan of actuator unit;
Fig. 7 is the plane of the film that has chip (COF) shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 8 is the block diagram of the driver IC shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 9 A, 9B and 9C show inspection terminal shown in Fig. 8 and the relation of the position between the common electrode;
Figure 10 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of the resistance measuring circuit shown in Fig. 8;
Figure 11 is the block diagram of the driver IC that comprises in according to a second embodiment of the present invention the ink-jet printer;
Figure 12 A, 12B and 12C show inspection terminal shown in Figure 11 and the relation of the position between the common electrode;
Figure 13 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of the capacitance measurement circuit shown in Figure 11;
Figure 14 is the part amplification view of the COF of modification according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 15 is the block diagram of the driver IC that comprises in the ink-jet printer of a third embodiment in accordance with the invention;
Figure 16 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of inspection segment signal output shown in Figure 15 and electrical characteristic measure portion;
Figure 17 is the schematic circuit of demonstration according to the internal structure of the electrical characteristic measure portion of the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 18 is the plane of the COF that comprises in the ink-jet printer of a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention;
Figure 19 is the block diagram at the driver IC shown in Figure 18;
Figure 20 A, 20B and 20C show inspection terminal shown in Figure 19 and the relation of the position between the common electrode;
Figure 21 be when COF when actuator unit is separated along the phantom of the line X-X Figure 20 A;
Figure 22 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of the capacitance measurement circuit shown in Figure 19;
Figure 23 is the flow chart of series of steps that shows the manufacture method of ink gun;
Figure 24 is the part amplification view of COF of the modification of a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention;
Figure 25 is the block diagram of the driver IC that comprises in according to a fifth embodiment of the invention the ink-jet printer;
Figure 26 A, 26B and 26C show inspection terminal shown in Figure 25 and the relation of the position between the common electrode;
Figure 27 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of the resistance measuring circuit shown in Figure 25;
Figure 28 is the block diagram of the driver IC that comprises in according to a sixth embodiment of the invention the ink-jet printer;
Figure 29 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of inspection segment signal output shown in Figure 28 and electrical characteristic measure portion; And
Figure 30 is the schematic circuit of internal structure that shows the electrical characteristic measure portion of modification according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
The specific embodiment
＜the first embodiment 〉
Fig. 1 shows the ink-jet printer 101 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Ink-jet printer 101 is the colored ink jet printers with four ink guns 1 of the ink that is used for spraying respectively Huang, magenta, viridescent and black four kinds of different colours.Ink-jet printer 101 comprises the paper discharge dish 12 in the zone, the right of paper feed-in dish 11 in the left area of Fig. 1 and Fig. 1.
In ink-jet printer 101, form the transfer path that is sent to paper discharge dish 12 as the paper P of recording medium from paper feed-in dish 11.In location downstream a pair of feed-in roller 5a and the 5b that is used for the paper that clamping is transmitted is set near paper feed-in dish 11.This takes out paper P and the right-hand transmission paper P to Fig. 1 to feed-in roller 5a and 5b from paper feed-in dish 11.In the centre of transfer path tape transport 13 is set, tape transport 13 comprises two band rollers 6 and 7; Be wrapped on roller 6 and 7 endless belt conveyer 8 with tensioning between roller; Thereby be arranged on by pressing plate 15 relative in conveyer belt 8 region surrounded with ink gun 1.Pressing plate 15 supports the part of the conveyer belt 8 relative with ink gun 1, thereby this part of conveyer belt can not be bent downwardly.Nip rolls 4 is arranged to face mutually with being with roller 7.Nip rolls 4 will be pressed onto on the outer surface of conveyer belt 8 from the paper P that paper feed-in dish 11 sends by feed-in roller 5a and 5b.
Thereby the transmission motor driven belts roller 6 rotation conveyer belts 8 that do not have to show turn round.Conveyer belt 8 carries by nip rolls 4 and is pressed onto on the outer surface of band and adheres to paper P on this band outer surface, under this state, is with 8 to transmit paper P towards paper discharge dish 12.
Downstream part near conveyer belt 8 on transfer path is provided with peel plate 14.The paper P that peel plate 14 will adhere on the outer surface of conveyer belt 8 peels off from the band outer surface.
Four ink guns 1 are arranged on the direction of transfer of paper P and are fixed in the face of transfer path.That is, ink-jet printer 101 is linear pattern printers.Each ink gun 1 has ink gun main body 2 at its lower end.Ink gun main body 2 has the shape of the rectangular parallelepiped protrusion part of extending perpendicular to transfer path.The bottom surface of ink gun main body 2 forms in the face of the ink jet face 2a as the transmission surface 8a on the top of the outer surface of conveyer belt 8.When the paper P that transmits by conveyer belt 8 in order by four ink gun main bodys 2 under the time, ink jet face 2a is that print surface is sprayed versicolor ink droplet towards the upper surface of paper P.Thereby, on paper P, form the coloured image of expecting.
Next, will describe each ink gun 1 in detail with reference to figure 2.As shown in FIG. 2, ink gun 1 comprises ink gun main body 2, and ink container unit 7 has the film (COF) 50 of chip, control substrate 54 and ink container unit side cover 53 and top cover 55; Ink gun main body 2 comprises channel unit 9 and actuator unit 21, ink container unit 7 is positioned on the upper surface of ink gun main body 2 and is used for ink is provided to ink gun main body 2, the film (COF) 50 that has a chip is formed for producing the driver IC 52 as the pulse sequence signal of the driving signal that drives corresponding actuator unit 21 for flat flexible substrate and on each has the film 50 of chip, control substrate 54 is electrically connected on the COF 50, and side cover 53 and top cover 55 cover actuator unit 21, ink container unit 71, thereby COF 50 and control substrate 54 prevent that outside ink mist from entering.
Ink container unit 71 has the hierarchy that is made of four blocks of plates 91 to 94.In ink container unit 71, form ink flow channel, ink container 61 and ten the ink flow pass 62 that do not have demonstration, but Fig. 2 only shows an ink flow pass 62.Ink flow channel, ink container 61 and ink flow pass 62 are connected to each other.The ink that is stored in the ink container 61 flows by each ink flow pass 62, and ink provides a mouthful 105b to be provided in the channel unit 9 by the ink shown in Fig. 3 then.Plate 94 has ink flow pass 62 and is formed on wherein a plurality of protuberance 94a.The protuberance 94a of plate 94 forms the space between plate 94 and the channel unit 9.Four actuator unit 21 are positioned in this space, but Fig. 2 only shows an actuator unit 21.
Though do not show that in Fig. 2 multiple conducting wires is formed on each COF 50.One end of lead is electrically connected to as absolute electrode 135 and common electrode 134 on the composition surface of the upper surface of corresponding actuator unit 21, and these electrodes will be described below.COF 50 extends upward between side cover 53 and ink container unit 71.That is, COF 50 is bent upwards with the right angle near the right-hand member of actuator unit 21.As a result, concentrate the joint interface zone that is applied to relative sweep near COF 50 between actuator unit 21 and the COF 50 at COF 50 and the stress on the direction that actuator unit 21 is separated.The other end that is formed on the lead on the COF 50 is connected to the electric component of controlling on the substrate 54 by connector 54a.The control signal that the more high-grade controller that control substrate 54 never shows to each driver IC 52 output provides.
Control substrate 54 is by the driving of corresponding driving device IC 52 each actuator unit 21 of control.Each driver IC 52 produces the driving signal that drives corresponding actuator unit 21.
Next each ink gun main body 2 will be described.As shown in FIG. 3, each ink gun main body 2 comprises channel unit 9 and four actuator unit 21 that are fixed to the upper surface 9a of channel unit 9.
Channel unit 9 has in plan view the shape with the plate 94 essentially identical rectangular parallelepiped protrusion part of ink container unit 71.Thereby ten inks provide mouthful 105b corresponding with each ink flow pass 62 of ink container unit 71 at the upper surface 9a place of channel unit 9 opening altogether.In channel unit 9 as be connected to that each ink provides the aggregation pipe 105 of mouthful 105b and as subclass pipeline 105a forming as shown in Fig. 3 and 4 from the shared inking chamber of each aggregation pipe 105 branch.In Fig. 4, though should show by with dashed lines that because being positioned at the back of corresponding actuator unit 21 pressure chamber 110, hole 112 and nozzle 108 still show with solid line.As shown in the Figure 4 and 5, the lower surface of channel unit 9 forms jeting surface 2a, and a plurality of nozzles 108 are arranged in matrix on jeting surface 2a.When observing the whole surface of each actuator unit 21 joint channel unit 21 thereon, a plurality of pressure chambers 110 similarly are arranged in matrix with nozzle 108.
In the present embodiment, 16 of each provisional capital longitudinal extension of channel unit 9 row pressure chambers 110 at regular intervals each other side direction be arranged in parallel.In each actuator unit 21, according to the trapezoidal profile of actuator unit 21, the quantity that belongs to the pressure chamber 110 of each row reduces towards minor face gradually from the long limit of actuator unit 21.This rule is equally applicable to nozzle 108.
As shown in FIG. 5, channel unit 9 is made of nine metallic plates, with the order that begins from upside, is respectively chamber plate 122, substrate 123, and orifice plate 124 provides plate 125, three set of blocks tube sheet 126,127 and 128, cover plate 129 and nozzle plates 130.Every block of plate 122 to 130 all has the rectangular shape that extends in the plane on main scanning direction.Plate 122 to 130 is placed by layering in mutually positioning back.Thereby, in channel unit 9, form aggregation pipe 105, subclass pipeline 105a and a plurality of independently ink channel 132, each all leads to nozzle 108 by pressure chamber 110 from the outlet of subclass pipeline 105a.
Next flowing of channel unit 9 ink inside will be described.The ink that provides mouthful 105b to be provided to from ink container unit 71 channel unit 9 by each ink flows in each aggregation pipe 105, is assigned to then among each subclass pipeline 105a.Ink in each subclass pipeline 105a flows into corresponding independent ink channel 132; Flow into then in the corresponding hole 112 and corresponding pressure chamber 110 as throttle; Arrive respective nozzles 108 then.
Next actuator unit 21 will be described.As shown in FIG. 3, each unit in four actuator unit 21 all has the trapezoidal shape in the plan view.Thereby avoiding ink, actuator unit 21 zigzag arrangements provide a mouthful 105b.The longitudinal extension of the relative two parallel edge channel units 9 of each actuator unit 21.Inclined side vertically promptly on main scanning direction, the overlapping each other of adjacent actuator unit 21 at channel unit 9.
As shown in Fig. 6 A, each actuator unit 21 comprises three piezoelectric layers 141 to 143, and each piezoelectric layer is all made by having ferroelectric piezoelectricity zirconates titanate (PZT) base ceramic material.Absolute electrode 135 is formed on the surface of uppermost piezoelectric layer 141, promptly on the composition surface of actuator unit 21, thus relative with separately pressure chamber 110.Common electrode 134 is being arranged on the whole zone between uppermost piezoelectric layer 141 and the inferior uppermost piezoelectric layer 142.As shown in Fig. 6 B, each absolute electrode 135 has the shape of the basic rhombus in the plan view similar to each pressure chamber 110.In plan view, the major part of absolute electrode 135 is in the zone of pressure chamber 110.An acute angle portion of the absolute electrode 135 of basic rhombus extends to outside the corresponding pressure chamber 110.And independent lug plate 136 that be electrically connected to the circle of absolute electrode 135 thicker than absolute electrode 135 is arranged on the front end of extension of absolute electrode 135.The COM lug plate and the inspection lug plate 137 as shown in Fig. 7 and 9A that do not have to show that are electrically connected to common electrode 134 are formed on the surface of piezoelectric layer 141.The long limit that inspection lug plate 137 is positioned at piezoelectric layer 141 is near the two ends on trapezoidal base, thereby than any absolute electrode 135 more close these long limits.The surface of piezoelectric layer 141 is that the inspection terminal 59 of corresponding C OF 50 as mentioned below joins the composition surface on it to.
Common electrode 134 ground connection, thus with all pressure chamber 110 corresponding zones in reference potential give common electrode 134 equably.On the other hand, the inner lead of absolute electrode 135 by its independent lug plate 136 and corresponding C OF 50 is electrically connected to the terminal separately on the corresponding driving device IC 52.Thereby driver IC 52 can only be provided to one or be provided to the absolute electrode 135 of a plurality of expectations with driving signal.That is, actuator unit 21 in plane with the overlapping part of absolute electrode 135 separately as actuator independently.In other words, the actuator of structure and pressure chamber 110 same quantity in actuator unit 21.
Next the driving method of actuator unit 21 will be described.Piezoelectric layer 141 is polarized along its thickness.On the other hand, piezoelectric layer 142 and 143 be can self-deformation non-active layer.Piezoelectric layer 141 to 143 is fixed on the upper surface of the chamber plate 122 that limits pressure chamber 110.Thereby, when absolute electrode 135 be in the current potential that is different from common electrode 134 with on the polarised direction when piezoelectric layer 141 applies electric field, the part that electric field has been applied to the piezoelectric layer 141 on it is as will be by the active part of piezo-electric effect distortion.When electric field applied on the direction identical with the polarization of piezoelectric layer 141, active part increased its thickness and reduces its area.When when it applies the deflection difference that produces between the part of piezoelectric layer 141 of electric field and the piezoelectric layer 142 and 143 below this part at piezoelectric layer 141 on the area, the ground distortion of whole piezoelectric layer 141 to 143 monomorphism, thereby towards corresponding pressure chamber 110 projections.Thereby pressure promptly sprays energy and is provided to ink in the pressure chamber 110 to produce pressure wave in pressure chamber 110.The pressure wave that is produced is passed to respective nozzles 108 to spray ink droplet from nozzle 108 from pressure chamber 110.
In the present embodiment, any absolute electrode 135 is in the predetermined potential that is different from earthing potential in advance.Send when spraying request, driver IC 52 is to target absolute electrode 135 output pulse signals at every turn, thereby absolute electrode 135 once is in earthing potential, is in described predetermined potential again at predetermined instant then.In this case, be in moment of earthing potential at absolute electrode 135, the pressure of the ink in the corresponding pressure chamber 110 reduces, thereby ink is from corresponding subclass pipeline 105a is drawn into accordingly independently ink channel 132.After this, be in moment of described predetermined potential again at absolute electrode 135, the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 110 rises, thereby ink droplet sprays from nozzle 108.That is, rectangular pulse is provided to absolute electrode 135.The width of pulse is approximately equal to sound long (AL), the long time span that is transmitted to nozzle 108 ends for the pressure wave in the pressure chamber 110 from the outlet of subclass pipeline 105a of this.In this design, return and be superimposed upon on the normal pressure that newly applies by actuator unit 21 by anti-phase positive pressure wave by reflection.As a result, big pressure can be applied to ink in the pressure chamber 110.
Next will COF 50 be described with reference to figure 7.Fig. 7 shows the length shorter than its physical length of COF 50.As shown in FIG. 7, COF 50 comprises the terminal setting area 50a that has in the plane with actuator unit 21 essentially identical trapezoidal cross-sections; With the continuous distribution zone 50b in the long limit of terminal setting area 50a; With the terminal 50c that is positioned at distribution zone 50b one end.Terminal 50c will be connected to the corresponding connector 54a of control substrate 54.
Terminal setting area 50a is fixed on the composition surface of the corresponding actuator unit 21 that is parallel to this surface.On the other hand, distribution zone 50b is not fixed on the composition surface of actuator unit 21.A plurality of lead-out terminals 58 that will join the independent lug plate 136 separately of absolute electrode 135 to are set in the 50a of terminal setting area; Will join the ground terminal 60 of the COM lug plate that does not have demonstration that is electrically connected to common electrode 134 to; With two inspection terminals 59 that will join the inspection lug plate 137 shown in Fig. 9 A to.Check that terminal 59 is arranged near the two ends, long limit of terminal setting area 50a for two, thereby than any lead-out terminal 58 more close these long limits.Thereby, when COF 50 is engaged on the composition surface of actuator unit 21, check that terminals 59 are positioned near the two ends, long limit of actuator unit 21 for two, thereby than the regional 50b of any absolute electrode 135 more close distributions.In this embodiment, each checks that terminal 59 all is in the very little distance of lead-out terminal apart from the most close inspection terminal 59.
Driver IC 52 is installed in the lateral centre of distribution zone 50b.In the 50b of distribution zone, form the output lead 57a that lead-out terminal 58 is connected to the driving signal terminal of the driver IC 52 that does not have demonstration; To be connected to the pilot 57b of terminal 50c less than the control terminal of the driver IC 52 that shows; Be connected to the inspection lead 73 of inspection terminal 59 separately; With earth lead 74 as the control signal reference potential pattern of the reference potential that is in the control signal that is used to control driver IC 52.Near the transverse ends of COF 50, COM mode 72 forms the driving electrical reference signal bit pattern that extends along the periphery of terminal setting area 50a and distribution zone 50b.Ground terminal 60 is arranged on the end of COM mode 72 among the 50a of terminal setting area.Earth lead 74 is formed between driver IC 52 and the COM mode 72.Check that lead 73 is connected to earth lead 74 near driver IC 52.
The terminal 50c that will be connected to the connector 54a of control substrate 54 has a plurality of pilot 57b that are connected to, the terminal that does not have demonstration of earth lead 74 and COM mode 72.The short circuit each other on control substrate 54 of earth lead 74 and COM mode 72.
Next will describe driver IC 52 in detail with reference to figure 8,9A, 9B and 9C.Fig. 9 A is the part amplification view of COF 50 and actuator unit 21.Fig. 9 B is the phantom of COF 50 COF 50 and actuator unit 21 when not separating with actuator unit 21.Fig. 9 C is the phantom of COF 50 COF 50 and actuator unit 21 when separating with actuator unit 21.The state that COF 50 and the one or more independent lug plates 136 of actuator unit 21 discrete representations have peeled off from corresponding lead-out terminal 58.
As shown in FIG. 8, comprise as the driver IC 52 that drives signal output unit driving segment signal output 81,, peel off judgment part 83 and communications portion 84 as judging unit as the electrical characteristic measure portion 82 of measuring unit.According to from the not instruction of the more high-grade device of for example master computer of demonstration, drive the driving signal that segment signal output 81 outputs drive actuator unit 21.Pass through to drive signal terminal from the driving signal that drives segment signal output 81 outputs, the corresponding lead-out terminal 58 of corresponding output lead 57a and driver IC 52 is provided to target absolute electrode 135.
As shown in Fig. 9 B and the 9C, formed inner lead 134a passes the thickness of piezoelectric layer 141 and will check that lug plate 137 is connected to common electrode 134.Thereby, when COF 50 does not separate with actuator unit 21, check that terminal 59 is electrically connected to common electrode 134 by checking lug plate 137 and inner lead 134a.Under this state, about 0.1 ohm of the resistance value between inspection terminal 59 and the common electrode 134.In the present embodiment, check that terminal 59 is in apart from the very little distance of the lead-out terminal 58 of the most close inspection terminal 59.Therefore, when any lead-out terminal 58 does not all have when corresponding independent lug plate 136 peels off, check terminal 59 may (annotate in the school: " and can " or " possibility " just have for original text, but see from context and to have added " can " as if improper, please examine again) do not peel off from inspection lug plate 137 yet.In the present embodiment, as mentioned above, two inspection terminals 59 are arranged to than the zone of the distribution in any absolute electrode 135 more close composition surfaces 50b.Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9 C, when COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21, check that terminal 59 peeled off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137 earlier before any lead-out terminal 58 peels off from corresponding absolute electrode 136.When corresponding inspection lug plate 137 peels off, check that the resistance value between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 becomes infinitely great ohm when checking terminal 59.
Electrical characteristic measure portion 82 is measured and is relevant to two electrical characteristics of checking terminal 59.For this purpose, electrical characteristic measure portion 82 comprises resistance measuring circuit 82a therein.Resistance measuring circuit 82a measures each and checks that the resistance conduct between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 is relevant to the electrical characteristic of checking terminal 59.
Below resistance measuring circuit 82a will be described.Figure 10 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of resistance measuring circuit 82a.As shown in Figure 10, resistance measuring circuit 82a comprises two phase inverters 96 and 97 and comparator 98.When the input pulse sequence signal, phase inverter 96 is by driving resistance R 1 to checking terminal 59 outgoing inspection signals.Phase inverter 97 will output to comparator 98 from the inspection signal that phase inverter 96 sends.Output voltage and high level reference voltage that comparator 98 compares from phase inverter 97.As mentioned above, when COF 50 does not separate with actuator unit 21, about 0.1 ohm of the resistance value between any inspection terminal 59 and the common electrode 134.Therefore under this state, the output voltage of phase inverter 96 is always low, and the output voltage of phase inverter 97 is always high.On the other hand, when COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21, check that the resistance value between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 becomes infinitely great ohm.In this case, the output voltage of phase inverter 96 changes between high-low level according to the input pulse sequence signal, and the output voltage of phase inverter 97 also changes between high-low level.
When the corresponding both of being with reference voltage of the output voltage of phase inverter 97 was high level, comparator 98 was to the about 0.1 ohm measurement result of resistance value of peeling off between judgment part 83 output indication inspection terminals 59 and the common electrode 134.When the output of phase inverter 97 not corresponding with reference voltage, promptly in case when the output of phase inverter 97 becomes low level, comparator 98 promptly checks that to peeling off judgment part 83 output indications the resistance value between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 becomes the measurement result of infinitely great ohm.
According to the measurement result of resistance measuring circuit 82a, peel off judgment part 83 and judge whether COF 50 separates with actuator 21, check promptly whether terminal 59 peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137.When the resistance value as the measurement result of resistance measuring circuit 82a is about 0.1 ohm, peels off judgment part 83 and judge that COF 50 do not separate with actuator unit 21.When this resistance value is infinitely great ohm, peels off judgment part 83 and judge that COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21.
Communications portion 84 sends the judged result of peeling off judgment part 83 to control substrate 54.In modification, can be the inspection part that is used for checking ink gun 1 in the manufacture process of ink gun 1 from the destination of the signal of communications portion 84.
In above-mentioned situation, when checking that terminal 59 resistance value when checking that lug plate 137 peels off is infinitely great ohm.Yet when external force was applied to the joint interface of checking between terminal 59 and the inspection lug plate 137, this power may cause the damage that causes on the joint interface that part is peeled off.In this case, become according to the resistance value of the damaged condition on the joint interface and be higher than 0.1 ohm.
Even when the joint interface between inspection terminal 59 and the inspection lug plate 137 is in such high resistance state, peels off judgment part 83 and judge that also COF 50 is separated.By the mode of example, suppose that driving resistance R 1 is 100 ohm and phase inverter 96 allows the 10mA electric currents to flow through under 24V.In this example, the threshold values of the phase inverter 97 by 2.5V is judged and is separated.Good when the condition of joint interface, promptly during about 0.1 ohm of resistance value, the voltage that is input to phase inverter 97 is 1.001V.Because the threshold values of phase inverter 97 is 2.5V, the output of phase inverter 97 is in high level.Therefore, peel off judgment part 83 and judge that inspection terminal 59 is from checking that lug plate 137 does not peel off.On the other hand, when joint interface had been damaged and has had 1 kilohm resistance value, the input voltage of phase inverter 97 was 10V, is higher than the threshold values of 2.5V.In this case, the output of phase inverter 97 becomes low level.Therefore, peel off judgment part 83 and judge that inspection terminal 59 is from checking that lug plate 137 peels off.In this example, when the resistance value of joint interface surpasses 150 ohm, peel off judgment part 83 and judge that inspection terminal 59 is from checking that lug plate 137 peels off.
As mentioned above, by in advance electrical characteristic phase inverter 96, that comprise its threshold values and driving resistance being set to suitable value, even when checking terminal 59 not fully when checking that lug plate 137 peels off, the joint defect before peeling off fully also can be detected.
In the present embodiment, as mentioned above, just can judge by measuring each straightforward procedure of checking the resistance value between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 whether the inspection terminal 59 that is arranged on the COF 50 peels off from the corresponding inspection lug plate 137 that is arranged on the actuator unit 21.Therefore, in the manufacture process of ink gun 1, the producer can find easily that COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21.In addition, producers or user for example also can easily find because temperature changes the COF 50 that causes in time and separates with actuator unit 21 behind transportation ink gun 1 or ink-jet printer 101.Further, electrical characteristic measure portion 82 can realize by simple circuit configuration.
In addition,, and check that lead 73 is connected to earth connection 74 near driver IC 52, therefore there is no need inspection lead 73 is extended to terminal 50c because every earth connection 74 is formed between driver IC 52 and the COM mode 72.So just can reduce the surface area of COF 50.
Further, because two are checked that terminals 59 are arranged to therefore can find reliably that COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21 than any absolute electrode 135 more close distributions zone 50b.
Further, because electrical characteristic measure portion 82 is measured the resistance value between common electrode 134 and each the inspection terminal 59, so electrical characteristic measure portion 82 can realize by simple structure.
In the above-described embodiments, each checks that lug plate 137 all is electrically connected to common electrode 134.Yet in modification, each checks that lug plate 137 can be electrically connected on the channel unit 9 as hardware.Like this can be by the electrical characteristic measure portion of simple structure realization as measuring unit.In this modification, channel unit 9 preferably is in earthing potential by the framework that do not have to show etc.
＜the second embodiment 〉
Next, will be with reference to Figure 11,12A, 12B and 12C description ink-jet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.In the present embodiment, be marked with the reference symbol identical respectively with essentially identical parts of first embodiment and funtion part and will be omitted its description with first embodiment.Figure 11 is the block diagram of the driver IC 152 that comprises in the ink-jet printer of second embodiment.Figure 12 A is the part amplification view of COF 50 and actuator unit 21.Figure 12 B be COF 50 when not separating with actuator unit 21 COF 50 and the phantom of actuator unit 21.Figure 12 C be COF 50 when separating with actuator unit 21 COF 50 and the phantom of actuator unit 21.
As shown in Figure 11, driver IC 152 comprises and drives segment signal output 81, as the electrical characteristic measure portion 182 of measuring unit, peels off judgment part 183 and communication unit 84 as judging unit.
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 12 B and the 12C, check terminal 59 and check that lug plate 137 is by piezoelectric layer 141 and common electrode 134 electric insulations for every pair.That is, check that terminal 59 and inspection lug plate 137 form capacitor with piezoelectric layer 141 and common electrode 134.When COF 50 does not separate with actuator unit 21, check the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134, promptly by the about 10pF of electric capacity that checks the capacitor that terminal 59 and common electrode 134 constitute.As shown in Figure 12 C, when checking terminal 59 when checking that lug plate 137 peels off, peeling off increases the distance of checking between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 greatly.As a result, check that the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 is 0pF substantially.
Electrical characteristic measure portion 182 is measured and is relevant to the electrical characteristic that each checks terminal 59.For this purpose, electrical characteristic measure portion 182 comprises capacitance measurement circuit 182a therein.Capacitance measurement circuit 182a measures the electric capacity conduct of checking between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 and is relevant to the electrical characteristic of checking terminal 59.
Below with reference to Figure 13 capacitance measurement circuit 182a is described.Figure 13 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of capacitance measurement circuit 182a.As shown in Figure 13, capacitance measurement circuit 182a comprises two phase inverters 96 and 97 and A/D converter 198.When the input pulse signal, phase inverter 96 is by driving resistance R 1 to checking terminal 59 outgoing inspection pulse signals.Phase inverter 97 will output to A/D converter 198 from the inspection pulse signal that phase inverter 96 sends.A/D converter 198 converts the output voltage of phase inverter 97 to the data signal that will be output.As mentioned above, when COF 50 does not separate with actuator unit 21, check the about 10pF of electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134.As a result, from rise time of the inspection pulse signal of phase inverter 96 output and fall time than input pulse Chief Signal Boatswain.On the other hand, when COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21, check that the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 is 0pF.As a result, be substantially equal to the input pulse signal from rise time of the inspection pulse signal of phase inverter 96 output and fall time.
The moment of the scheduled time in past after rising when the pulse signal that is input to phase inverter 96, the output voltage of A/D converter 198 sampling phase inverters 97.At this moment, check that the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 is big more, the rise time of pulse, output voltage long more and that sampled was low more.On the contrary, check that the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 is more little, the rise time of pulse, output voltage short more and that sampled was high more.Capacitance measurement circuit 182a exports the data signal of the output voltage of sampling as the indication of capacitance measurements to peeling off judgment part 183.
According to the measurement result of capacitance measurement circuit 182a, peel off judgment part 183 and judge whether COF 50 separates with actuator 21, check promptly whether terminal 59 peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137.When indication is lower than predetermined value as the magnitude of voltage of the capacitance of the measurement result of capacitance measurement circuit 182a, peels off judgment part 183 and judge that COF 50 do not separate with actuator unit 21.When the magnitude of voltage of indication capacitance is higher than predetermined value, peels off judgment part 183 and judge that COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21.
Equally, in the present embodiment, be similar to the first above-mentioned embodiment, being relevant to by setting will be by the suitable threshold values of the output voltage of A/D converter 198 sampling, and the joint defect before peeling off fully can be detected.
In the present embodiment, as mentioned above,, can judge that whether with on the actuator unit 21 COF 50 separates by measuring the straightforward procedure that each checks the electric capacity between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134.
＜the first modification 〉
Hereinafter the modification of second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 14.Figure 14 is the part amplification view of the COF 150 of this modification.On COF 150, as shown in Figure 14, being connected to each inspection lead 173 of checking terminal 59 by corresponding inspection lug plate 137 is connected to and the output lead 57a that is connected as the inspection absolute electrode 135a adjacent to the absolute electrode 135 of checking terminal 59.By this way, check that terminal 59 is electrically connected to inspection absolute electrode 135a.Capacitance measurement circuit 182a measure common electrode 134 and check capacitance and the common electrode 134 between the terminal 59 and check capacitance between the absolute electrode 135a and.Be used for being used as the phase inverter 96 of capacitance measurement circuit 182a to the part of the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal.
In this modification,, can suppress the increase of the circuit scale of driver IC 52 like this because be used for being used as the phase inverter 96 of capacitance measurement circuit 182a to the part of the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal.
In this modification, for according to comprising that absolute electrode 135 equilibriums of checking absolute electrode 135a are formed on the drive characteristic of the active part in the piezoelectric layer 141, be preferably used in to the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal and be configured to make the current value of the current value of the driving signal that will output to inspection absolute electrode 135a greater than the driving signal that will output to any other absolute electrode 135 outside the inspection absolute electrode 135a.For this reason, for example, be used for transistorized ON resistance to the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal and be set to and be lower than any other drive circuit.Can suppress the variation of the drive characteristic of active part like this.
＜the three embodiment 〉
Next, the ink-jet printer of a third embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to Figure 15.In the present embodiment, be marked with the reference symbol identical respectively with essentially identical parts of first or second embodiment and funtion part and will be omitted its description with first or second embodiment.Figure 15 is driver IC 252 that comprises in the ink-jet printer of present embodiment and the block diagram of controlling substrate 254.As shown in Figure 15, driver IC 252 comprises driving segment signal output 81 and checks segment signal output 285.Control substrate 254 comprises as the electrical characteristic measure portion 282 of measuring unit and peels off judgment part 283 as judging unit.
Hereinafter will describe and check segment signal output 285 and electrical characteristic measure portion 282 with reference to Figure 16.Figure 16 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of checking segment signal output 285 and electrical characteristic measure portion 282.As shown in Figure 16, thus check that segment signal output 285 comprises that the received pulse signal checks the phase inverter 296 of terminal 59 outgoing inspection pulse signals by driving resistance R 1 to each.Electrical characteristic measure portion 282 is used to measure the electrical characteristic that is relevant to each inspection terminal 59.In the present embodiment, electrical characteristic measure portion 282 is measured the power consumption of phase inverter 296 phase inverter 296 when checking terminal 59 outgoing inspection pulse signals.Electrical characteristic measure portion 282 outputs to its measurement result and peels off judgment part 283.
When COF 50 does not separate with actuator unit 21, check the about 10pF of capacitance between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134, as shown in Figure 12 B.Thereby when phase inverter 296 outgoing inspection signals, electric current flows to the earth by checking terminal 59 and common electrode 134.So just increase the power consumption of phase inverter 296.On the other hand, when COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21, check that the capacitance between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 becomes 0pF.Thereby, there is not electric current to flow to the earth by checking terminal 59 and common electrode 134.So just reduce the power consumption of phase inverter 296.
Again with reference to Figure 15,, peel off judgment part 283 and judge whether COF50 separates with actuator unit 21, check promptly whether terminal 59 peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137 according to the measurement result of electrical characteristic measure portion 282.When the power consumption of phase inverter 296 during, peel off judgment part 283 and judge that COF 50 do not separate with actuator unit 21 less than predetermined value.When the power consumption of phase inverter 296 during, peel off judgment part 283 and judge that COF 50 separate with actuator unit 21 greater than predetermined value.Further, according to the measurement result of electrical characteristic measure portion 282, peel off the degree that judgment part 283 can also judge that each inspection terminal 59 peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137.Particularly, when phase inverter 296 when checking that terminal 59 outputs have the inspection pulse signal of frequency F and voltage V, the power consumption i of phase inverter 296 is by i=FCV 2Expression.Thereby, check that the capacitance C between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 can be calculated by power consumption i.Capacitance C is with checking that the degree that the terminal 59 and the distance of common electrode 134 are promptly peeled off changes.Therefore, can judge the degree of checking that terminal 59 peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 137 according to the capacitance C that is calculated.
Equally, in the present embodiment, be similar to the first above-mentioned embodiment, be relevant to the suitable threshold values of the power consumption of the phase inverter 296 that will measure by electrical characteristic measure portion 282, can detect the joint defect before peeling off fully by setting.
In the present embodiment, the straightforward procedure of the power consumption by measuring phase inverter 296 can judge whether COF 50 separates with actuator unit 21.
Other modification of＜the first to the 3rd embodiment 〉
In the first above-mentioned embodiment,, check the condition of the resistance value judgement joint interface between terminal 59 and the common electrode 134 by each by using the combination of two phase inverters 96 and 97.Yet, in modification,, can judge the condition of joint interface according to the power consumption of phase inverter as the 3rd embodiment.For example, as shown in Figure 17, phase inverter 296 is driven to each the inspection terminal 59 output high level that is connected to common electrode 134 by inner lead 134a.When joint is good, flow into electrical characteristic measure portion 282 equally with the corresponding direct current of high level.When peeling off on the joint interface, there is not electric current to flow into electrical characteristic measure portion 282.When joint interface damaged, flowed into electrical characteristic measure portion 282 with the corresponding electric current of resistance value that is relevant to inspection terminal 59 this moment.Equally, in the present embodiment,, be relevant to the suitable threshold values of the power consumption of the phase inverter 296 that will measure by electrical characteristic measure portion 282, can detect the joint defect before peeling off fully by setting as the foregoing description.
In first to the 3rd above-mentioned embodiment, on each COF, be provided with two and check terminal 59.But in modification, can only be provided with one and check terminal, three or more inspection terminals perhaps can be set.
The position of inspection terminal is not limited to the position in the foregoing description.In modification, check that terminal can be arranged on the optional position.
In the first above-mentioned embodiment, on each COF 50, each earth connection 74 is formed between driver IC 52 and the COM mode 72, and each checks that lead 73 is connected to corresponding earth connection 74 near driver IC 52.But in modification, each COM pattern can be formed on the optional position on the COF.In another modification, each checks that lead 73 can be free of attachment to corresponding earth connection 74.
In the first and second above-mentioned embodiment, each checks that lug plate 137 is formed on the surface of piezoelectric layer 141 of each actuator unit 21, and the corresponding inspection terminal 59 of corresponding C OF 50 joins to and checks lug plate 137.But in modification, each checks that terminal 59 can directly join on the surface of piezoelectric layer 141 by bonding etc.
In modification, the electrical characteristic measure portion can be measured another electrical characteristic that is relevant to each inspection terminal that changes according to checking whether terminal is peeled off.
＜the four embodiment 〉
Next, the ink-jet printer of a fourth embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to Figure 18 to 23.In the present embodiment, be marked with the reference symbol identical respectively with essentially identical parts of first to the 3rd embodiment and funtion part and will be omitted its description with first to the 3rd embodiment.
The ink-jet printer of present embodiment has the structure identical with first embodiment in Fig. 1 to 5,6A and the part shown in the 6B.Figure 18 is the plane of the COF 350 that comprises in the ink-jet printer of present embodiment.Figure 18 shows the length shorter than its physical length of COF 350.As shown in Figure 18, COF 350 comprises the terminal setting area 350a that has in plane with the actuator unit 21 essentially identical trapezoidal transverse faces shown in Figure 21; With the continuous distribution zone 350b in the long limit of terminal setting area 350a; Terminal 350c with an end that is arranged on distribution zone 350b.Terminal 350c will be connected to the corresponding connector 54a of control substrate 54.
Terminal setting area 350a is fixed to the composition surface of corresponding actuator unit 321 and is parallel to this surface.On the other hand, distribution zone 350b is not fixed to the composition surface of actuator unit 321.A plurality of lead-out terminals 58 of the independent lug plate 136 separately that will join absolute electrode 135 to are set in the 350a of terminal setting area; Will join the ground terminal 60 of the COM lug plate that is electrically connected to common electrode 134 that does not show to; With will join to respectively as shown in Figure 21 eight check lug plate 337a to eight inspection terminal 359a of 337d to 359d.These eight check terminal 359a to 359d with the order of checking terminal 359a, 359b, 359c and 359d from distribution zone 350b towards terminal setting area 350a in other words from the long limit of terminal setting area 350a near the closure of minor face is arranged on the two ends, long limit of terminal setting area 350a.Check that terminal 359a is electrically connected to each other on COF 350 to 359d for eight.
In the present embodiment, at least one checks that terminal position becomes than the more close described long limit of any lead-out terminal 58, and at least one checks that terminal is arranged to lead-out terminal 58 than the most close described long limit further from this length limit.More specifically, check terminal 359a in 359d for eight, check that terminal 359a and 359b are arranged to than any lead-out terminal 58 more close these length limits for four of the long limit of more close terminal setting area 350a.On the other hand, check that further from four of the long limit of terminal setting area 350a terminal 359c and 359d are arranged to more the lead-out terminal 58 away from the most close this length limit.Therefore, when COF 350 has joined the composition surface of corresponding actuator unit 321 to, check that terminal 359a and 359b are arranged near the long limit of actuator unit 321 and than any absolute electrode 135 more close distributions zone 350b for four, and four checked that terminal 359c and 359d are positioned near the absolute electrode 135 on and the most close this length limit of ratio, the long limit of actuator unit 321 further from this length limit.In the present embodiment, check that terminal 359a is to the most close their the very little distance of lead-out terminal 58 of 359d distance.
Driver IC 252 is installed in the lateral centre of distribution zone 350b.In the 350b of distribution zone, form the output lead 57a that lead-out terminal 58 is connected to the driving signal terminal of the driver IC 352 that does not have demonstration; To be connected to the pilot 57b of terminal 350c less than the control terminal of the driver IC 352 that shows; Be connected to each and check the inspection lead 73 of terminal 359a to 359d.Formed COM mode 72 extends along the periphery of terminal setting area 350a and distribution zone 350b near the transverse ends of COF 350.Ground terminal 60 is positioned at the end of the COM mode 72 among the 350a of terminal setting area.
The terminal 350c that will be connected to the connector 54a of control substrate 54 has a plurality of terminals that are connected to pilot 57b and COM mode 72 that do not show.
Next, will driver IC 352 be described with reference to Figure 19,20A, 20B, 20C and 21.Figure 20 A is the part amplification view of COF 350 and actuator unit 321.Figure 20 B is the phantom of COF 350 COF350 and actuator unit 321 when not separating with actuator unit 321.Figure 20 C is the phantom of COF 350 COF 350 and actuator unit 321 when separating with actuator unit 321.Each Figure 20 B and 20C only show that eight are checked that terminal 359a in the 359d checks terminal 359a.Figure 21 is COF 350 phantom along the line X-X among Figure 20 A when separating with actuator unit 321.
As shown in Figure 19, comprise as the driver IC 352 that drives signal output unit driving segment signal output 81,, peel off judgment part 383 and communication unit 84 as judging unit as the electrical characteristic measure portion 382 of measuring unit.According to from the not instruction of the more high-grade device of for example master computer of demonstration, drive the driving signal that segment signal output 81 outputs drive actuator unit 321.Pass through to drive signal terminal from the driving signal that drives segment signal output 81 outputs, the corresponding lead-out terminal 58 of corresponding output lead 57a and driver IC 352 is provided to target absolute electrode 135.
In the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 20 B and the 20C, check terminal 359a and check that lug plate 337a passes through piezoelectric layer 141 and common electrode 134 electric insulations for every pair.That is, check that terminal 359a and inspection lug plate 337a form capacitor with piezoelectric layer 141 and common electrode 134.When COF 350 does not separate with actuator unit 321, check the about 10pF of electric capacity between terminal 359a and the common electrode 134.As shown in Figure 20 C, when checking that terminal 359a when checking that lug plate 337a peels off, checks that terminal 359a separates from common electrode 134, increases the distance of checking between terminal 359a and the common electrode 134 greatly.As a result, check that the electric capacity between terminal 359a and the common electrode 134 is 0pF substantially.This rule is equally applicable to other and checks terminal 359b, 359c and 359d.
As shown in Figure 21, when COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321, four orders of checking that terminal 359a begins with the inspection terminal 359a from the most close distribution zone 350b to 359d, more specifically, peel off from checking lug plate 337a, 337b, 337c and 337d separately accordingly with the order of checking terminal 359a, 359b, 359c and 359d.Thereby the inspection terminal 359a that peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 337a to 337d changes according to the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 to the quantity of 359d.Therefore, check that terminal 359a changes to the degree capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and that separate with actuator unit 321 according to COF 350 for four.More specifically, when four check terminal 359a in the 359d without any a terminal from corresponding inspection lug plate 337a when 337d peels off, described capacitance and about 10 * 4=40pF.Check terminal 359a when corresponding inspection lug plate 337a peels off when having only, capacitance and become about 3 * 10=30pF.Check terminal 359a and 359b when checking that accordingly lug plate 337a and 337b peel off separately when two, capacitance and become about 2 * 10=20pF.When three check terminal 359a to 359c from checking lug plate 337a separately accordingly when 337c peels off, capacitance with become about 1 * 10=10pF.When all check terminal 359a to 359d from checking lug plate 337a separately accordingly when 337d peels off, capacitance with become 0pF.
Electrical characteristic measure portion 382 is measured to be relevant to and is checked the electrical characteristic of terminal 359a to 359d.For this purpose, electrical characteristic measure portion 382 comprises capacitance measurement circuit 382a therein.Capacitance measurement circuit 382a measure four check terminal 359a to the capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and as being relevant to the electrical characteristic of inspection terminal 359a to 359d.
Below capacitance measurement circuit 382a will be described.Figure 22 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of capacitance measurement circuit 382a.As shown in Figure 22, capacitance measurement circuit 382a comprises pair of phase inverters 396 and 397 and A/D converter 398.When the input pulse signal, phase inverter 396 is by driving resistance R 1 to checking terminal 359a outgoing inspection pulse signal.Phase inverter 397 will output to A/D converter 398 from the inspection pulse signal that phase inverter 396 sends.A/D converter 398 converts the output voltage of phase inverter 397 to the data signal that will export.As mentioned above, when COF 350 does not separate with actuator unit 321, check that terminal 359a is to capacitance and the about 40pF between 359d and the common electrode 134 for four.As a result, longer from the rise time and the fall time of the inspection pulse signal of phase inverter 396 output than the pulse signal of input.On the other hand, when check terminal 359a to 359d with the order of checking terminal 359a, 359b, 359c and 359d from checking lug plate 337a separately accordingly when 337d peels off, four inspection terminal 359a to the capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and progressively change with the order of 30pF, 20pF, 10pF and 0pF.This capacitance and this variation progressively shorten from the rise time and the fall time of the inspection pulse signal of phase inverter 396 output.At last, when capacitance and when becoming 0pF, check the pulse signal that rise time of pulse signal and fall time are substantially equal to import.
Thereby capacitance and more little, the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 is high more.In the present embodiment, when checking that terminal 359c when checking that lug plate 337c peels off, judges that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321.That is, when the capacitance that is detected and when being 10pF, judge that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321.
The moment of the scheduled time in past after the pulse signal that is input to phase inverter 396 rises, the output voltage of A/D converter 398 sampling phase inverters 397.At this moment, check terminal 359a to the capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and big more, the rise time of pulse is long more, and the output voltage of being sampled is low more.On the contrary, check terminal 359a to the capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and more little, the rise time of pulse is short more, and the output voltage of being sampled is high more.Capacitance measurement circuit 382a exports the data signal of the output voltage of sampling as the indication of capacitance measurements to peeling off judgment part 383.
According to the measurement result of capacitance measurement circuit 382a, peel off the separation degree that COF 350 and actuator unit 321 are judged in judgment part 383.Promptly, according to as the inspection terminal 359a of the measurement result of capacitance measurement circuit 382a to the capacitance between 359d and the common electrode 134 and, peel off judgment part 383 and judge from checking inspection terminal 359a that lug plate 337a peels off to 337d quantity to 359d.More specifically, check the capacitance of terminal 359a to 359d and common electrode 134 between when four and when being 40pF, peel off judgment part 383 and judge that the inspection terminal 359a that peels off from inspection lug plate 337a to 337d is 0 to the quantity of 359d.When capacitance and when being 30pF, peel off judgment part 383 and judge from checking that inspection terminal 359a that lug plate 337a peels off to 337d is 1 to the quantity of 359d, promptly has only the terminal of inspection 359a to peel off.When capacitance and when being 20pF, peel off judgment part 383 and judge from checking that inspection terminal 359a that lug plate 337a peels off to 337d is 2 to the quantity of 359d, promptly has only the terminal 359a of inspection and 359b to peel off.When capacitance and when being 10pF, peel off judgment part 383 and judge from checking that inspection terminal 359a that lug plate 337a peels off to 337d is 3 to the quantity of 359d, promptly has only the terminal of inspection 359a to peel off to 359c.When capacitance and when being 0pF, peel off judgment part 383 and judge that promptly all check that terminal 359a peel off to 359d from checking that inspection terminal 359a that lug plate 337a peels off to 337d is 4 to the quantity of 359d.Independently make such judgement for four every group inspection terminal 359a to 359d near each end setting on the long limit of terminal setting area 350a.
Next, will manufacture method according to the ink gun of the inspection method that comprises ink gun of present embodiment be described with reference to Figure 23.Figure 23 is the flow chart that shows the series of steps of this manufacture method.As shown in Figure 23, manufacture method comprises fixing step, engagement step, load test step, measuring process, determining step and control step.In fixing step, actuator unit 321 is fixed on the channel unit 9, thereby pressure chamber 110 in the absolute electrode 135 of actuator unit 321 and the channel unit 9 separately is relative, as shown in Fig. 6 A and the 6B.In engagement step subsequently, each COF 350 is engaged to corresponding actuator unit 321, thereby each lead-out terminal 58 is engaged to corresponding independent lug plate 136; Each ground terminal 60 is engaged to corresponding C OM lug plate; And check that terminal 359a is engaged to 359d and check lug plate 337a separately accordingly to 337d on the composition surface of actuator unit 321, as shown in Figure 20 B.In this engagement step, be engaged to actuator unit 321 under the predetermined condition of the pressure of COF 350 when comprising heating-up temperature, heat time heating time and joint.
In the load test step, after finishing fixing and engagement step, from a plurality of ink guns, select an ink gun, to carry out load test to selected ink gun.Load test is a thermal shock test, and wherein the environment temperature around the ink gun changes rapidly and produce stress on the joint interface between COF 350 and the actuator unit 321.In thermal shock test, ink gun places the gas phase test pool, and the temperature in the test pool changes under this state.For example, the temperature in the test pool alternately changes between-40 degrees centigrade and 100 degrees centigrade in halfhour interval.Repeat about 200 circulations like this.In a modification, the liquid phase test pool can be used for substituting the gas phase test pool.In this modification, thermal shock test is finished in can be in than gas phase test pool shorter time.
At this moment, can carry out the accelerated test of high-speed driving actuator unit 321.In accelerated test, actuator unit 321 is driven by the higher voltage of the normal drive voltage that is higher than actuator unit 321.Because the reliability of the joint interface between COF 350 and the actuator unit 321 is according to the Arrhenius law and be used for the driving voltage height of actuator unit 321, so just increases the quantity and the displacement of actuator unit 321.As a result, increased the stress on the joint interface.In addition, actuator unit 321 can drive in the shorter cycle than the driven of actuator unit 321.So just increase the stress quantity that is applied to the time per unit on the joint interface.Further, when the inside of test pool for example is set to the heat of 85 degrees centigrade temperature and 85% humidity and moist condition, further minimizing accelerated test required time so just.In the above-mentioned condition, optimum condition can consider that desired life-span of ink gun and actual service conditions select.
In measuring process, the COF 350 that finishes the later ink gun of load test step is connected to the connector 54a of control substrate 54, and under this state, the capacitance measurement circuit 382a measurement of electrical characteristic measure portion 382 is relevant to the electrical characteristic of checking terminal 359a to 359d, in the present embodiment, as mentioned above, be four check the capacitance between terminal 359a to 359d and the common electrode 134 and.In follow-up determining step,, peel off judgment part 383 and judge from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 359a to 359d that lug plate 337a to 337d peels off separately accordingly based on the measurement result of capacitance measurement circuit 382a.Therefore, the producer can easily grasp the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321.
In the control step, check the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321.If check result indication defect state, thereby the engaging condition of then revising in the above-mentioned engagement step improves separation degree.
Even after transporting ink gun or comprising the ink-jet printer of ink gun, above-mentioned measurement and determining step still can not only carry out in the manufacturing process of ink gun, can also carry out regularly or brokenly by user's instruction.Therefore, even COF 350 has joined actuator unit 321 fully to when transportation,, can check out that still COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 gradually because for example temperature changes in time.Therefore, at the nozzle of ink gun because COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 before can not spraying ink the user just can take measures, for example ask the producer to repair.In manufacture method, can be provided with discretely with by utilizing this testing fixture to carry out above-mentioned measuring process and determining step comprising above-mentioned electrical characteristic measure portion 382 and the testing fixture that peels off judgment part 383 according to the ink gun of modification.In this modification, each ink-jet printer itself can not comprise the electrical characteristic measure portion and peel off the judgment part.
In the present embodiment, by measure to check capacitance between terminal 359a to 359d and the common electrode 134 and straightforward procedure, the producer can easily grasp the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 from the quantity that checks the inspection terminal 359a to 359d that lug plate 337a to 337d peels off separately accordingly by checking.So just make the control easily that becomes of engaging condition in the engagement step of manufacture process of ink gun.So just improved the productivity ratio of ink gun.In addition, even thereby still can check later on that in the ink gun manufacturing ink gun judges whether that easily COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 and causes the possibility of fault.So just can take measure in advance, for example, change the ink gun that might cause fault.
In addition and since electrical characteristic measure portion 382 only must measure check capacitance between terminal 359a to 359d and the common electrode 134 and, so electrical characteristic measure portion 382 can realize with simple circuit configuration.
Owing to check that terminal 359a to 359d is arranged on the closure with the order of checking terminal 359a, 359b, 359c and 359d for four, therefore when COF 350 separated with actuator unit 321, these terminals peeled off from checking lug plate 337a to 337d separately accordingly with the order of checking terminal 359a, 359b, 359c and 359d.Therefore, by checking, can accurately know the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 359a to 359d that lug plate 337a to 337d peels off separately accordingly.
Further, check that owing to four terminal 359a to 359b all are positioned to therefore just can suppress effectively and find reliably that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 like this than any lead-out terminal 58 more close distributions zone 350b.
Further, because four inspection terminal 359a to 359d are positioned any side of lead-out terminal 58 perpendicular to closure, so can suppress and find reliably that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 321 so effectively.
In the present embodiment, electrical characteristic measure portion 382 measure the capacitance checked between terminal 359a to 359d and the common electrode 134 and.But in modification, the electrical characteristic measure portion can be measured the capacitance of checking between terminal 359a to 359d and the common electrode 134 discretely.In this modification, check that terminal 359a to 359d must electricity be independent mutually on COF.
＜the second modification 〉
Hereinafter the modification of the 4th embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 24.Figure 24 is the part amplification view according to the COF 350 of this modification.On COF 350, as shown in figure 24, be connected to the inspection lead 373 of checking terminal 359a to 359d and be connected to and the output lead 57a that is connected as inspection absolute electrode 135a adjacent to the absolute electrode 135 of checking terminal 359a to 359d.In this mode, check that terminal 359a to 359d is electrically connected to inspection absolute electrode 135a.Capacitance measurement circuit 382a measure common electrode 134 and check capacitance and the common electrode 134 between the terminal 359a to 359d and check capacitance between the absolute electrode 135a and.The part of drive circuit that is used for the driving signal of outgoing inspection absolute electrode 135a is used as the phase inverter 396 of capacitance measurement circuit 382a.
In this modification,, can suppress the increase of the circuit scale of driver IC 352 like this owing to be used for being used as the phase inverter 396 of capacitance measurement circuit 382a to the part of the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal.
In this modification, for according to comprising that absolute electrode 135 equilibriums of checking absolute electrode 135a are formed on the drive characteristic of the active part in the piezoelectric layer 141, be preferably used in to the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal and be configured to make the current value of the current value of the driving signal that will output to inspection absolute electrode 135a greater than the driving signal that will output to any other absolute electrode 135 outside the inspection absolute electrode 135a.For this reason, for example, be used for being arranged to be lower than any other drive circuit to the transistorized ON resistance of the drive circuit of checking absolute electrode 135a output drive signal.Can suppress the variation of the drive characteristic of active part like this.
＜the five embodiment 〉
Next ink-jet printer according to a fifth embodiment of the invention will be described.In the present embodiment, be marked with the reference symbol identical respectively with essentially identical assembly of first to fourth embodiment and funtion part and will be omitted its description with first to fourth embodiment.Figure 25 is the block diagram of the driver IC 452 that comprises in the ink-jet printer of present embodiment.Figure 26 A is the part amplification view of COF 450 and actuator unit 421.Figure 26 B is the fragmentary cross-sectional view of COF 450 and actuator unit 421 when COF 450 does not separate with actuator unit 421.Figure 26 C is the fragmentary cross-sectional view of COF 450 and actuator unit 421 when COF 450 separates with actuator unit 421.Figure 26 B and 26C only show that eight are checked that one among the terminal 459a to 459d is checked terminal 459a.As shown in figure 25, driver IC 452 comprises and drives segment signal output 81, as the electrical characteristic measure portion 482 of measuring unit, peels off judgment part 483 and communications portion 84 as judging unit.
As shown in Figure 25 and 26A, be connected to the inspection lead 473a to 473d that checks terminal 459a to 459d separately accordingly and be formed on the COF 450.Check that lead 473a to 473d is connected to driver IC 452 independently of each other.
In the present embodiment, at least one checks that terminal position becomes than the more close described long limit of any lead-out terminal 58, and at least one check terminal position than the lead-out terminal 58 on the most close described long limit further from this long limit.More specifically, check among the terminal 459a to 459d, check that terminal 459a and 459b are positioned to than any lead-out terminal 58 more close these length limits for 4 of the long limit of more close terminal setting area at eight.On the other hand, 4 further from the long limit of terminal setting area check that terminal 459c and 459d are positioned to the lead-out terminal 58 further from the most close this length limit.
As shown in Figure 26 B and 26C, formed inner lead 134a passes the thickness of piezoelectric layer 141, thereby will check that lug plate 437a to 437d is connected to common electrode 134.Therefore, when COF 450 does not separate with actuator unit 421, check that terminal 459a to 459d is electrically connected to common electrode 134 by each self-corresponding inspection lug plate 437a to 437d and inner lead 134a.In this state, check that the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 is about 0.1 ohm.In the present embodiment, check that terminal 459a to 459d is apart from the very little distance of the lead-out terminal 58 of the most close inspection terminal 459a to 459d.Therefore, when without any lead-out terminal 58 when corresponding independent lug plate 136 peels off, check that terminal 459a to 459d also may be from not checking accordingly that separately lug plate 437a to 437d peels off.
When COF 450 separates with actuator unit 421, check that terminal 459a to 459d more specifically peels off to 437d from checking lug plate 437a separately accordingly with the order of checking terminal 459a, 459b, 459c, 459d with the order that the inspection terminal 459a from the most close distribution zone begins for four.Shown in Figure 26 C, when checking that terminal 459a when corresponding inspection lug plate 437a peels off, checks that the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 becomes infinitely great ohm.Therefore, the quantity that the resistance value between inspection terminal 459a to 459d and the common electrode 134 becomes the inspection terminal 459a to 459d of infinitely great ohm changes according to the degree that COF 350 separates with actuator unit 421, as shown in figure 21.
Electrical characteristic measure portion 482 is measured and is relevant to the electrical characteristic of checking terminal 459a to 459d.For this reason, electrical characteristic measure portion 482 comprises resistance measuring circuit 482a therein.Resistance measuring circuit 482a measures four and checks that the resistance value between terminal 459a to 459d and the common electrode 134 is as being relevant to the electrical characteristic of checking terminal 459a to 459d.
Hereinafter resistance measuring circuit 482a will be described.Figure 27 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of resistance measuring circuit 482a.Figure 27 only shows that being used to measure the circuit of checking the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 connects structure.Be used for measuring other and check that any circuit structure of the resistance value between terminal 459b to 459d and the common electrode 134 and the circuit structure that Figure 27 shows are basic identical.Resistance measuring circuit 482a comprises two phase inverters 496 and 497 and comparator 498.When the input pulse sequence signal, phase inverter 496 is by driving resistance R 1 to checking terminal 459a outgoing inspection signal.Phase inverter 497 will output to comparator 498 from the inspection signal that phase inverter 496 sends.Comparator 498 will compare from the output voltage and the high level reference voltage of phase inverter 497.As mentioned above, when COF 450 does not separate with actuator unit 421, check that the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 is about 0.1 ohm.Therefore in this state, the output voltage of phase inverter 496 is always low and output voltage phase inverter 497 is always high.On the other hand, when COF 450 separates with actuator unit 421, peel off from corresponding inspection lug plate 437a, check that therefore the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 becomes infinitely great ohm because check terminal 459a.In this case, the output voltage of phase inverter 496 changes between height and low level according to the input pulse sequence signal, and the output voltage of phase inverter 497 also changes between height and low level.
When the output voltage of phase inverter 497 was high level corresponding to the reference voltage both, comparator 498 checked that to peeling off judgment part 483 output indications the resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 is about 0.1 ohm measurement result.When the output of phase inverter 497 not corresponding to reference voltage promptly in case when the output of phase inverter 497 becomes low level, comparator 498 checks that to peeling off judgment part 483 output indications resistance value between terminal 459a and the common electrode 134 is infinitely great ohm a measurement result.Other checks terminal 459b to 459d about each, and the circuit structure that electrical characteristic measure portion 482 usefulness are identical is measured the resistance value checked between terminal and the common electrode and exported measurement results to peeling off judgment part 483.
According to the measurement result of resistance measuring circuit 482a, peel off judgment part 483 and judge the degree that COF 450 separates with actuator unit 421.That is,, peel off judgment part 483 and judge from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 459a to 459d that lug plate 437a to 437d peels off separately accordingly according to resistance value as the measurement result of resistance measuring circuit 482a.More specifically, when any resistance value as the measurement result of resistance measuring circuit 482a is about 0.1 ohm, peel off judgment part 483 judge check among the terminal 459a to 459d any one all not from checking accordingly that separately lug plate 437a to 437d peels off.When any resistance value is infinitely great ohm, peels off judgment part 483 and judge that all inspection terminal 459a to 459d are from checking accordingly that separately lug plate 437a to 437d peels off.When only being relevant to the resistance value of checking terminal 459a is infinitely great ohm and its excess-three resistance value when being about 0.1 ohm, peels off judgment part 483 judgements and only checks that terminal 459a peels off from corresponding inspection lug plate 437a.Peeling off judgment part 483 therefore judges from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 459a to 459d that lug plate 437a to 437d peels off separately accordingly.
In above-mentioned situation, when each check terminal all when corresponding inspection lug plate peels off resistance value be infinitely great ohm.But when external force was applied to the joint interface of checking between terminal and the inspection lug plate, this power may cause the damage that causes part to be peeled off on the joint interface.In this case, become according to the resistance value of the damaged condition on the joint interface and be higher than 0.1 ohm.It is identical to peel off the judgement of describing among judgment part 483 judgement in this case and first embodiment.
The ink gun of present embodiment can by with the 4th embodiment in the essentially identical method manufacturing of description.Therefore, omit description here to the ink gun manufacture method of present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, by measuring the straightforward procedure that each checks the resistance value between terminal 459a to 459d and the common electrode 134, the producer can easily grasp the degree that COF 450 separates with actuator unit 421 from the quantity that checks the inspection terminal 459a to 459d that lug plate 437a to 437d peels off separately accordingly by checking.So just make the control easily that becomes of engaging condition in the engagement step of ink gun manufacture process.So just improved the yield rate of ink gun.In addition, even after the manufacturing of ink gun, the user can check easily that also ink gun causes the possibility of fault to judge whether COF 450 to separate with actuator unit 421.So just can take measure in advance, for example, replacing may cause the ink gun of fault.
In the present embodiment, check that lug plate 437a to 437d is electrically connected to common electrode 134.But, in modification, check that lug plate 437a to 437d can be electrically connected to the channel unit 9 as hardware.Like this can be by the electrical characteristic measure portion of simple structure realization as measuring unit.In this modification, channel unit 9 preferably places earthing potential by the framework that do not show etc.
＜the six embodiment 〉
Next ink-jet printer according to a sixth embodiment of the invention will be described.In the present embodiment, be marked with the reference symbol identical respectively with essentially identical assembly of first to the 5th embodiment and funtion part and will be omitted its description with first to the 5th embodiment.Figure 28 shows driver IC 552 that comprises in the ink-jet printer of present embodiment and the block diagram of controlling the functional structure of substrate 554.As shown in Figure 28, driver IC 552 comprises driving segment signal output 81 and checks segment signal output 585.Control substrate 554 comprises as the electrical characteristic measure portion 582 of measuring unit and peels off judgment part 583 as judging unit.
To checking that segment signal output 585 and electrical characteristic measure portion 582 will be described with reference to Figure 29.Figure 29 is the schematic circuit that shows the internal structure of checking segment signal output 585 and electrical characteristic measure portion 582.As shown in figure 29, thus check that segment signal output 585 comprises that the received pulse signal is by driving resistance R 1 to four phase inverters 596 of checking terminal 559a to 559d outgoing inspection pulse signals.Electrical characteristic measure portion 582 is used to measure the electrical characteristic that is relevant to inspection terminal 559a to 559d.In the present embodiment, electrical characteristic measure portion 582 is measured the power consumption of phase inverter 596 phase inverter 596 when checking that terminal 559a to 559d exports the inspection pulse signal with its frequency F and voltage V.Electrical characteristic measure portion 582 is to peeling off judgment part 583 its measurement results of output.
On basis as the power consumption i of the phase inverter 596 of the measurement result of electrical characteristic measure portion 582, peel off judgment part 583 and judge the degree of separating of COF and actuator 521, promptly from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 559a to 559d that lug plate 537a to 537d peels off separately accordingly.Check that near four of each groups that the long limit with respect to the terminal setting area is positioned at each end terminal 559a to 559d carry out this judgement.When phase inverter 596 when checking that terminal 559a to 559d output has the inspection pulse signal of its frequency F and voltage V, the power consumption i of phase inverter 596 is expressed as i=FCV2.Based on this expression formula, peel off judgment part 583 and calculate four capacitance C that check between terminal 559a to 559d and the common electrode 134.As mentioned above, when separate with actuator unit 521 owing to COF check terminal 559a to 559d with the order of checking terminal 559a, 559b, 559c and 559d when checking that accordingly lug plate 537a to 537d peels off separately, four are that check the capacitance between terminal 559a to 559d and the common electrode 134 and change with the order of 30PF, 20PF, 10PF and 0PF.Therefore, on the basis of the capacitance C that is calculated, peel off judgment part 583 and can judge from checking the quantity of the inspection terminal 559a to 559d that lug plate 537a to 537d peels off separately accordingly.
Also in the present embodiment,, be relevant to the suitable threshold values of the power consumption of the phase inverter 596 that will measure by electrical characteristic measure portion 582, can survey the joint defect before peeling off fully by setting as the 5th above-mentioned embodiment.
The ink gun of present embodiment can by with the essentially identical method manufacturing of the 4th embodiment.Therefore, omit description here to the manufacture method of the ink gun of present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the straightforward procedure of the power consumption by measuring phase inverter 596, the producer can easily grasp the degree that COF separates with actuator unit 521 from the quantity that checks the inspection terminal 559a to 559d that lug plate 537a to 537d peels off separately accordingly by checking.So just make the control easily that becomes of engaging condition in the engagement step of ink gun manufacture process.So just improved the yield rate of ink gun.In addition, even after making ink gun, producer or user can check easily still whether ink gun has COF to separate the possibility that causes fault with actuator 521 to judge.So just can take measure in advance, for example change the ink gun that may cause fault.
Other modification of the＜the four to the 6th embodiment 〉
In the 5th above-mentioned embodiment,, judge the degree of described separation from the resistance value between inspection terminal 459a to 459d and the common electrode 134 by using the combination of two phase inverters 496 and 497.But in modification, separation degree can be judged based on the power consumption of phase inverter as the 6th embodiment.For example, as shown in figure 30, phase inverter 296 is actuated to the inspection terminal 59a output high level that is connected to common electrode 134 by inner lead 134a.When engaging condition was good, the direct current of exporting corresponding to high level also flow in the electrical characteristic measure portion 282.When on the composition surface, having peeled off, there is not electric current to flow to electrical characteristic measure portion 282.When joint interface was damaged, this moment, the electric current corresponding with the resistance value that is relevant to inspection terminal 59a to 59d flow to electrical characteristic measure portion 282.Equally in this modification, as the foregoing description, be relevant to the suitable threshold of the power consumption of the phase inverter 296 that will measure by electrical characteristic measure portion 282 by setting, can detect the joint defect before peeling off fully.
In the 4th and the 5th above-mentioned embodiment, check terminal 559a to 559d checking terminal 559a for four, 559b, the order of 559c and 559d is from arranging to the direction of minor face with the long limit of continuous terminal setting area, distribution zone.But in modification, these check that terminal can be positioned at the optional position in the zone of the COF that will join actuator unit to.In addition, the quantity more than one inspection terminal also is arbitrarily.
In modification, check that terminal can directly join on the surface of piezoelectric layer 141 by adhesive etc.
In modification, the electrical characteristic measure portion can measure be relevant to each check terminal according to checking whether terminal peels off another electrical characteristic that changes.In modification, after each actuator unit that does not also form its absolute electrode thereon was fixed to channel unit, absolute electrode and independent lug plate can form on this actuator unit.
Though the specific embodiment in conjunction with above-outlined has been described the present invention, much alternative, modifications and variations are conspicuous for the those of skill in the art in present technique field.Therefore, the preferred embodiments of the present invention as indicated above are illustrative and not restrictive.Can carry out multiple variation and not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention that define by attached claim.

Claims (20)

1. an inkjet recording device is characterized in that, this device comprises:
Wherein be formed with the channel unit of a plurality of independently ink channels, each described ink channel all leads to nozzle through pressure chamber;
Be fixed to the actuator unit on the described channel unit, described actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between described a plurality of absolute electrode and the described common electrode, a plurality of independent lug plate on the composition surface relative with the stationary plane of described actuator unit that is positioned at described actuator unit with on being fixed to described channel unit, described a plurality of independent lug plates are electrically connected to described each absolute electrode;
Flat pliable and tough substrate, described substrate comprise a plurality of lead-out terminals that join described each independent lug plate to and join inspection terminal on the composition surface of described actuator unit to;
Drive signal output unit, described driving signal output unit will be provided to the driving signal of described a plurality of absolute electrodes by described a plurality of lead-out terminal outputs;
Measure the measuring unit of the electrical characteristic relevant with described inspection terminal; With
Judge the judging unit whether described inspection terminal has peeled off from the composition surface of described actuator unit based on the measurement result of described measuring unit.
2. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described measuring unit is measured the electric capacity between described common electrode and the inspection terminal.
3. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described inspection terminal is electrically connected to the inspection absolute electrode into an absolute electrode in described a plurality of absolute electrodes, and
Described measuring unit measure described common electrode and check capacitance between the terminal and described common electrode with check capacitance between the absolute electrode with.
4. device as claimed in claim 3, it is characterized in that, the current value of driving signal that will output to described inspection absolute electrode from described driving signal output unit is greater than the current value that will output to the driving signal of any other absolute electrode outside the described inspection absolute electrode from described driving signal output unit, thereby balancedly is formed on the drive characteristic of a plurality of active parts in the described piezoelectric layer with corresponding with described a plurality of absolute electrodes respectively.
5. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described actuator unit further comprises on the composition surface that is positioned at described actuator unit and be electrically connected to the inspection lug plate of described common electrode,
Described inspection terminal joins on the composition surface of described actuator unit by described inspection lug plate, and
Described measuring unit is measured the resistance between described common electrode and the inspection terminal.
6. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described channel unit comprises hardware,
Described actuator unit further comprises on the composition surface that is positioned at described actuator unit and is electrically connected to the inspection lug plate of described hardware,
Described inspection terminal joins on the composition surface of described actuator unit by described inspection lug plate, and
Described measuring unit is measured the resistance between described hardware and the inspection terminal.
7. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described driving signal output unit is attached to the transverse center of described flat pliable and tough substrate,
The driving signal criterion current potential pattern that places and drive the reference potential of signal correction be formed near and extend along each transverse end of described flat flexible substrate,
Place the control signal reference potential pattern of the reference potential relevant to be formed between described driving signal output unit and the driving signal criterion current potential pattern with the control signal that is used for described control driving signal output unit, and
Described inspection terminal is electrically connected to described control signal reference potential pattern.
8. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, when checking that signal is provided to described inspection terminal, described measuring unit is based on measurement of power loss and the relevant electrical characteristic of described inspection terminal.
9. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, the distribution zone that described flat pliable and tough substrate by the terminal arrangement zone that wherein is formed with described a plurality of lead-out terminal and described inspection terminal, wherein is formed with a plurality of leads that are connected respectively to described a plurality of lead-out terminal and described inspection terminal constitutes, described terminal arrangement zone is fixed to the composition surface of described actuator unit, described distribution zone is not fixed to the composition surface of described actuator unit, and
Described inspection terminal position becomes than the more close described distribution of any one absolute electrode zone in described a plurality of absolute electrodes.
10. the manufacture method of an ink gun is characterized in that, this method comprises:
Fixing step, the actuator unit that this fixing step will comprise a plurality of absolute electrodes, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between described a plurality of absolute electrode and the common electrode and be electrically connected to a plurality of independent lug plates of absolute electrode separately is fixed to and is formed with each all leads to independently ink channels nozzle, a plurality of through pressure chamber channel unit, thereby described a plurality of absolute electrode is relative with separately pressure chamber;
Engagement step, this engagement step will comprise that pliable and tough substrate a plurality of lead-out terminals and a plurality of inspection terminals, flat joins described actuator unit to, make described a plurality of inspection terminal be engaged to be fixed to described channel unit on the composition surface of the relative described actuator unit of the stationary plane of described actuator unit on, and described a plurality of independent lug plate is engaged to described lead-out terminal separately;
Measuring process, this measuring process measure with the composition surface that joins described actuator unit on the relevant electrical characteristic of described a plurality of inspection terminals; With
Determining step, this determining step are judged the quantity of the described inspection terminal that has peeled off from the composition surface of described actuator unit according to the measurement result in the described measuring process.
11. method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, measures the electric capacity between described common electrode and each the described inspection terminal in described measuring process.
12. method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that,
Described inspection terminal is electrically connected to the inspection absolute electrode into an absolute electrode in a plurality of absolute electrodes, and
In described measuring process, measure described common electrode with check capacitance between capacitance between the terminal and described common electrode and the inspection absolute electrode with.
13. method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, described actuator unit further comprises on the composition surface that is positioned at described actuator unit and is electrically connected to the inspection lug plate of described common electrode,
Checking described in the described engagement step that the inspection lug plate of terminal by separately joins on the composition surface of described actuator unit, and
In described measuring process, measure the resistance value between described common electrode and each inspection terminal.
14. method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, described channel unit comprises hardware,
Described actuator unit further comprises the inspection lug plate on the composition surface that is positioned at described actuator unit,
Be fixed on the described channel unit in actuator unit described in the described fixing step, make described inspection lug plate be electrically connected to described hardware,
Checking described in the described engagement step that the inspection lug plate of terminal by separately joins on the composition surface of described actuator unit, and
In described measuring process, measure the resistance value between described hardware and each inspection terminal.
15. method as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, when checking that signal is provided to described inspection terminal, in described measuring process based on measurement of power loss and the relevant electrical characteristic of described inspection terminal.
16. method as claimed in claim 10, it is characterized in that, by the terminal setting area that is formed with described a plurality of lead-out terminal and described a plurality of inspection terminals, be formed with a plurality of regional flat pliable and tough substrates that constitute of distribution that are connected respectively to the lead of described a plurality of lead-out terminal and described a plurality of inspection terminals and in described engagement step, be engaged to described actuator unit, the terminal setting area of described flat pliable and tough substrate is fixed on the composition surface of described actuator unit, and the distribution zone of described flat pliable and tough substrate is not fixed on the composition surface of described actuator unit, and
Described a plurality of inspection terminal row is listed in from described distribution zone on the closure of described terminal setting area.
17. method as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, at least one in described a plurality of inspection terminals checks that terminal is oriented to than the more close described distribution of any one lead-out terminal zone in described a plurality of lead-out terminals.
18. method as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, described a plurality of inspection terminals and described closure vertically are positioned at the both sides of described a plurality of lead-out terminals.
19. the inspection method of an ink gun, this ink gun comprises that forming each all leads to the channel unit of a plurality of independently ink channels of nozzle through pressure chamber, be fixed to the pliable and tough substrate of the actuator unit peace of described channel unit, described actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the independent lug plate on the relative composition surface of piezoelectric layer between described a plurality of absolute electrode and the common electrode and a plurality of stationary plane that is positioned at described actuator unit with the described actuator unit that is fixed to described channel unit, described a plurality of independent lug plate is electrically connected to each absolute electrode, described flat pliable and tough substrate comprises a plurality of lead-out terminal and a plurality of inspection terminals that join the composition surface of described actuator unit to that join each independent lug plate to
It is characterized in that this method comprises:
Measure the measuring process of the electrical characteristic relevant with described a plurality of inspection terminals; With
Judge the determining step of the described inspection number of terminals of having peeled off from the composition surface of described actuator unit according to the measurement result in the described measuring process.
20. an inkjet recording device is characterized in that, this device comprises:
Form each all leads to a plurality of independently ink channels of nozzle through pressure chamber channel unit;
Be fixed to the actuator unit of described channel unit, described actuator unit comprises a plurality of absolute electrodes relevant with each pressure chamber, common electrode, be arranged on the piezoelectric layer between described a plurality of absolute electrode and the common electrode, and the independent lug plate on the relative composition surface of a plurality of stationary planes with the described actuator unit that is fixed to described channel unit that are positioned at described actuator unit, described a plurality of independent lug plates are electrically connected to described each absolute electrode;
Comprise a plurality of lead-out terminals of joining described each independent lug plate to and join the flat pliable and tough substrate of a plurality of inspection terminals on the composition surface of described actuator unit to;
Measure the measuring unit of the electrical characteristic relevant with described a plurality of inspection terminals; With
Judge the judging unit of the described inspection number of terminals of having peeled off from the composition surface of described actuator unit based on the measurement result of described measuring unit.
CN2008100053997A 2007-02-05 2008-02-05 Inkjet recording apparatus, manufacturing method of inkjet head, and checking method of the head Expired - Fee Related CN101239533B (en)

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JP2007026022 2007-02-05
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JP2007026023A JP4240125B2 (en) 2007-02-05 2007-02-05 Inkjet head manufacturing method, inkjet head inspection method, and inkjet recording apparatus
JP2007026022A JP4240124B2 (en) 2007-02-05 2007-02-05 Inkjet recording device
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JP5549162B2 (en) * 2009-09-14 2014-07-16 株式会社リコー Piezoelectric actuator, liquid discharge head, and image forming apparatus
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JP7009758B2 (en) * 2017-03-23 2022-01-26 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Printing equipment and circuit boards for printing equipment
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