The specific embodiment
Please refer to simultaneously Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B, Fig. 3 A is that Fig. 3 B is the part enlarged drawing of Fig. 3 A according to the circuit diagram of the circuit of a kind of Heater group in order to the drive fluid injector head of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.The fluid ejecting head of present embodiment includes a Heater group and one drive circuit.Heater group has M * N heater R, is to be arranged in the capable matrix of M row N.Wherein i be listed as the capable heater R of j be for heater R (i, j), i be listed as the capable heater R of k be for heater R (i, k), M, N, i, j, k are positive integer, i is smaller or equal to M, j is smaller or equal to N, j is not equal to k.
Drive circuit comprises a plurality of current paths, a biasing selected unit 302 and M * N main transistor Q.Each heater R is and corresponding current path electrically connects, described current path comprise a current path (i, j) and a current path (i, k).Biasing selected unit 302 comprises a j control voltage VG (j) and a k control voltage VG (k) in order to produce N control voltage VG.And M * N main transistor Q comprise a main transistor Q (i, j) with main transistor Q (i, k).(i is that (i j) electrically connects with heater R j) to main transistor Q.As main transistor Q (i, j) be subjected to j control voltage VG (j) control and conducting, an and electric current I (i, j) produced and flow through heater R (i, j), main transistor Q (i, j) and current path (i, j) time, main transistor Q (i, resistance value j) be equivalent to a main transistor equivalent resistance (i, k).(i is that (i k) electrically connects with heater R k) to main transistor Q, as main transistor Q (i, k) be subjected to the control of k control voltage VG (k) and conducting, and an electric current I (i k) is produced and is flow through heater R (i, k), main transistor Q (i, k) and current path (i, in the time of k), main transistor Q (i, k) resistance value be equivalent to a main transistor equivalent resistance (i, k).Wherein, (i, j) (i is to correspond respectively to j control voltage VG (j) and k control voltage VG (k) k) to the main transistor equivalent resistance, makes that (i, j) (i, k) heat of Chan Shenging equates heater R with heater R with the main transistor equivalent resistance.
Now with M=16, N=19, i=1, j=1, k=8 are that example is done further explanation.Please be simultaneously with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, wherein Fig. 4 is the part side view of the fluid ejecting head of present embodiment; Fig. 5 is the part vertical view of the fluid ejecting head of present embodiment.As shown in Figure 4, the fluid ejecting head 400 of present embodiment comprises base material 402, and base material has M * N manifold (manifold), M * N fluid cavity (chamber) and M * N spray orifice (orifice).Fig. 4 illustrates for example with the pairing manifold 403 of main transistor Q (1,1), fluid cavity 404, spray orifice 406 and heater R (1,1).One end of manifold 403 is to be formed on a lower surface 402A of base material 402.Fluid cavity 404 is the tops that are disposed at corresponding manifold 403, and is communicated with corresponding manifold 403.Fluid cavity 404 is in order to hold fluid.All spray orifices are to be arranged in the capable matrix of M row N.Spray orifice 406 is the tops that are disposed at corresponding fluid cavity 404.One end of spray orifice 406 is to be formed on the upper surface 402B of base material 402.Heater R (1,1) is disposed at corresponding spray orifice 406 sides.When heater R (1,1) produced heat, corresponding spray orifice 406 produced bubble, so that the ejection of the fluid in the corresponding fluid cavity 404.
Wherein, it is the ink gun of an ink-jet printer that the fluid ejecting head 400 of present embodiment is preferably, and fluid ejecting head 400 also comprises an ink cartridges 410.Manifold 403 is to be communicated with ink cartridges 410, and above-mentioned fluid is preferably to be ink.
In addition, fluid ejecting head 400 also comprises a plurality of power circuit CNO, is the upper surface that is positioned at the manifold top.Power circuit CNO (1,1) is in order to electrically connect corresponding heater R (1,1) and main transistor Q (1,1).The material of power circuit is to be selected from aluminium, gold, copper, tungsten, Al-Si-Cu alloy and albronze one of them or its combination.
Please be simultaneously with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.Suppose that all main transistors are N type metal oxide semiconductor (Ntype Metal Oxide Semiconductor, MOS) transistor.The drain electrode of main transistor Q (1,1) is and the end electric connection of heater R (1,1) that the source electrode of main transistor Q (1,1) is a ground connection.The other end of heater R (1,1) is to be connected to main separation to select line (Primary Select Line) PSL (1).As the 1st the control voltage VG (1) of biasing selected unit 302 output high levels during to the grid of main transistor Q (1,1), main transistor Q (1,1) conducting (Turned On).At this moment, if inputing to main separation via addressing electrode (pad) 502 selects the main separation of line PSL (1) and selects signal VP (1) when the activation, when for example the voltage of VP (1) transfers high levels to, electric current I (1,1) will produce, and flow through heater R (1,1), main transistor Q (1,1) drain electrode and source electrode and current path (1,1).Wherein, current path (1,1) is an electric current I (1,1) when producing, electric current I (1,1) flow through except other lead outside heater R (1,1) and the main transistor Q (1,1) or the set of conductor.For instance, current path (1,1) is to select line PSL (1), heater R (1 by main separation, 1) with main transistor Q (1,1) power circuit CNO (1,1) between and the source electrode of main transistor Q (1,1) and the power circuit GCN (1) between the earth electrode 504 form.At this moment, the resistance value of main transistor Q (1,1) is to be equivalent to a main transistor equivalent resistance (1,1).
Similarly, the drain electrode of main transistor Q (1,8) is and the end electric connection of heater R (1,8) that the source electrode of main transistor Q (1,8) is a ground connection.The other end of heater R (1,8) is to be connected to main separation to select line PSL (1).As the 8th the control voltage VG (8) of biasing selected unit 302 output high levels during to the grid of main transistor Q (1,8), main transistor Q (1,8) conducting.At this moment, select the main separation of line PSL (1) and select signal VP (1) when the activation, electric current I (1 if input to main separation via addressing electrode 502,8) will produce, and flow through heater R (1,8), main transistor Q (1,8) drain electrode and source electrode and current path (1,8), wherein, current path (1,8) is when producing for electric current I (1,8), electric current I (1,8) flow through except other lead outside heater R (1,8) and the main transistor Q (1,8) or the set of conductor.For instance, current path (1,8) is to select line PSL (1), heater R (1 by main separation, 1) with R (1,8) the power circuit CN1 (1,8) between, heater R (1,8) and main transistor Q (1,8) the power circuit CNO (1 between, 8), the power circuit CN2 (1 between the source electrode of the source electrode of main transistor Q (1,1) and main transistor Q (1,8), 8) and the source electrode of main transistor Q (1,1) and the power circuit GCN (1) between the earth electrode 504 form.At this moment, the resistance value of main transistor Q (1,8) is to be equivalent to a main transistor equivalent resistance (1,8).
As shown in Figure 3, because the allocation position difference of main transistor Q (1,1) and Q (1,8), so the length of its pairing current path is inequality.Because current path (1,8) than current path (1,1) many power circuit CN1 (1,8) and CN2 (1,8), so current path (1,8) length is also longer than the length of current path (1,1), makes current path (1,8) equivalent resistance is greater than the equivalent resistance of current path (1,1).If the main transistor equivalent resistance (1 of main transistor Q (1,1) and Q (1,8), 1) reach (1,8) and equate, and heater R (1,1) with heater R (1,8) resistance value equates that electric current I (1,1) will be greater than electric current I (1,8), and the heat that the heat that makes heater R (1,1) produce is produced greater than heater R (1,8).So, the droplet size that will be sprayed greater than heater R (1,8) by the droplet size that spray orifice sprayed of heater R (1,1) heating.And make to use the ejecting big or small uneven ink droplet of ink-jet printer of fluid ejecting head 400 and make the print quality variation.
In order to solve the above-mentioned different problem of the droplet size that spray orifice sprayed, present embodiment is to input to main transistor Q (1 by making, 1) controls voltage VG (1) and input to main transistor Q (1 for the 1st of grid, the position of the 8th the control voltage VG (8) of grid 8) is accurate different, make main transistor equivalent resistance (1,8) less than main transistor equivalent resistance (1,1), make electric current I (1,1) and the pairing overall resistance of I (1,8) equate so that electric current I (1,1) and I (1,8) equate.So, can make heater R (1,1) and heater R (1,8) produce the heat that equates.
Now with the generation of present embodiment the mode of the 1st control voltage VG (1) and the 8th the control voltage VG (8) of coordination standard be not illustrated in down.Please refer to Fig. 3, biasing selected unit 302 has N row selecting transistor CSQ and N current source CS.The drain electrode of N row selecting transistor CSQ is in order to receive a plurality of address signals respectively.N row selecting transistor CSQ comprises selection transistor CSQ of delegation (1) and the selection transistor CSQ (8) of delegation.N current source comprises a current source CS (1) and current source CS (8).A plurality of address signals comprise an address signal VA (1) and an address signal VA (8).Current source CS (1) is that the source electrode with row selecting transistor CSQ (1) couples, and current source CS (8) to be source electrode with row selecting transistor CSQ (8) couple, row selecting transistor CSQ (1) is to electrically connect and all receive control signal VAG ' (1) with the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (8).The 1st control voltage VG (1) and the 8th control voltage VG (8) are the size of current that corresponds respectively to current source CS (1) and current source CS (8).As mentioned above, N for example is 19.
Wherein, the size of current IA1 of current source CS (1) is the size of current IA8 greater than current source CS (8).When the address signal VA (1) that drain electrode received of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) conducting and row selecting transistor CSQ (1) was activation, the electric current that flows through row selecting transistor CSQ (1) was IA1.According to MOSFET current formula: I
d=(1/2) μ
nC
Ox(W/L) (V
GS-V
t)
2(formula one) can be in the hope of the value of the 1st control voltage VG1 of the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) output.Wherein, I
dFor flowing through the size of current of drain electrode, μ
nBe carrier mobility (carrier mobility), C
OxBe the gate oxidation layer capacitance, W and L are respectively channel width and length, V
GSBe the voltage difference between grid and source electrode, and V
tIt is critical voltage.
When the address signal that drain electrode received (8) of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) conducting and row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is activation, the electric current that flows through row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is IA8, can be calculated the value of the 8th the control voltage VG8 that the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) exports by formula one.Because IA1 is greater than IA8, under row selecting transistor CSQ (1) condition identical with length ratio with the channel width of row selecting transistor CSQ (8), the voltage difference that can learn row selecting transistor CSQ (1) grid and source electrode be greater than with the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) and the voltage difference of source electrode.In addition, because the voltage level of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) and the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is identical, so can learn that the voltage VG1 of the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) will be less than the voltage VG8 of the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (8).
Because the 1st control voltage voltage VG1 is less than the 2nd control voltage VG8, make the grid voltage of main transistor Q (1,1) less than the grid voltage of main transistor Q (1,8).Because the source grounding of main transistor Q (1,1) and Q (1,8) is so the voltage difference of the grid of main transistor Q (1,1) and source electrode is less than the grid of main transistor Q (1,8) and the voltage difference of source electrode.According to MOSFET equivalent resistance r
DsFormula r
Ds=1/ (μ
nC
Ox(W/L) (V
GS-V
t)) (formula two) as can be known, the main transistor equivalent resistance of main transistor Q (1,1) will be greater than the main transistor equivalent resistance of main transistor Q (1,8).So, can make the resistance value of heater R (1,1), main transistor equivalent resistance and the current path (1 of main transistor Q (1,1) effectively, 1) equivalent resistance and, equal the resistance value of heater R (1,8), main transistor equivalent resistance and the current path (1 of main transistor Q (1,8), 8) equivalent resistance and, and get so that the size of electric current I (1,1) equals electric current I (1,8).So, can reach the heat that heater R (1,1) and heater R (1,8) are produced and equate, and make the corresponding spray orifice of heater R (1,1) and heater R (1,8) penetrate the ink droplet of identical size.So present embodiment can reach the purpose of the print quality of promoting ink-jet printer.
In addition, as main transistor Q (1,1) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of main transistor Q (1,1) is to get rid of via current source CS (1).As main transistor Q (1,8) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of main transistor Q (1,8) is to get rid of via current source CS (8).So, present embodiment can also reach the residual charge that will be accumulated in the grid of main transistor apace and get rid of to earth terminal, to improve the service speed of fluid ejecting head, and can avoid closing slowly because of main transistor, and make corresponding spray orifice still launch drop and the situation that produces misoperation takes place.
Further, current source shown in Figure 3 is to use current mirror (current mirror) to realize.Please refer to Fig. 6, is the circuit diagram that current mirror is applied to the circuit of Fig. 5 shown in it.Row selecting transistor CSQ (1) ~ CSQ (8) electrically connects with the mirror of output end current more than (Multi-output current mirror).This many output end currents mirror comprises a reference current mirror transistor REFQ1, current mirror transistor CMQ (1) ~ CMQ (8).Now be that example is illustrated with current mirror transistor CMQ (1) and CMQ (8).The drain electrode of reference current mirror transistor REFQ1 and grid are to electrically connect.The grid of current mirror transistor CMQ (1) is the grid that is coupled to reference current mirror transistor REFQ1, the drain electrode of current mirror transistor CMQ (1) is the source electrode that is coupled to row selecting transistor CSQ (1), the drain electrode of current mirror transistor CMQ (1) also is coupled to the grid of main transistor Q (1,1).The grid of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) is the grid that is coupled to reference current mirror transistor REFQ1, the drain electrode of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) is the source electrode that is coupled to row selecting transistor CSQ (8), the drain electrode of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) also is coupled to the grid of main transistor Q (1,8).
Wherein, when the address signal VA (1) that drain electrode received of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) conducting and row selecting transistor CSQ (1) is activation, the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) is the 1st control of output voltage VG (1), makes main transistor Q (1,1) conducting.When the address signal VA (8) that drain electrode received of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) conducting and row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is activation, the source electrode of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is the 8th control of output voltage VG (8), make main transistor Q (1,8) conducting.The 1st control voltage VG (1) and the 8th control voltage VG (8) are to correspond respectively to the channel width of current mirror transistor CMQ (1) and ratio and the channel width of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) and the ratio of length of length.
Wherein, as main transistor Q (1,1) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of main transistor Q (1,1) is to get rid of via current mirror transistor CMQ (1).As main transistor Q (1,8) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of main transistor Q (1,8) is to get rid of via current mirror transistor CMQ (8).
Preferably, current mirror transistor CMQ (1) is different with the channel width of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) and the ratio of passage length.By formula one as can be known, current mirror transistor CMQ (1) and the channel width of current mirror transistor CMQ (8) and the ratio of passage length are the ratio that equals IA1 and IA8.
In addition, the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) is the drain electrode that is coupled to reference current mirror transistor REFQ1, and the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (8) is the drain electrode that is coupled to reference current mirror transistor REFQ1.As row selecting transistor CSQ (1) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) is to get rid of via reference current mirror transistor REFQ1.As main transistor Q (1,8) when being closed, the residual charge of the grid of main transistor Q (1,8) is to get rid of via reference current mirror transistor REFQ1.So, more can accelerate the service speed of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) ~ CSQ (8).
On the other hand, biasing selected unit 302 also has S addressing electrode, for example is addressing electrode 502 shown in Figure 5.Please refer to Fig. 3, these addressing electrodes are in order to receive S address signal VA (1) ~ VA (S).N row selecting transistor is to be divided into the P group, and every group of row selecting transistor is to have S row selecting transistor at the most.Every group of row selecting transistor controlled by a zone-block selected transistor BSQ, and this S addressing electrode is that P group row selecting transistor electrically connects therewith.When the conducting of one of these zone-block selected transistors, all row selecting transistors of one group of corresponding row selecting transistor are conductings.This S address signal is the drain electrode that is sent to the row selecting transistor of corresponding conducting.
Wherein, as mentioned above, the N value for example is 19.And the S value for example is 8, and the P value for example is 3.8 addressing electrodes are to select signal VA (1) ~ VA (8) in order to receiver address.First group of row selecting transistor is made up of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) ~ CSQ (8), second group of row selecting transistor is by row selecting transistor CSQ (9) ~ CSQ (16) is formed, and the 3rd group of row selecting transistor is made up of row selecting transistor CSQ (17) ~ CSQ (19).Three groups of row selecting transistors are controlled by zone-block selected transistor BSQ (1) ~ BSQ (3) respectively.The source electrode of zone-block selected transistor BSQ (1) be output control signal VAG ' (1) to the grid of all row selecting transistors of first group of row selecting transistor, the source electrode of zone-block selected transistor BSQ (2) and BSQ (3) is then exported control signal VAG ' (2) and VAG ' (3) grid to all row selecting transistors of second group and the 3rd group row selecting transistor respectively.
The source electrode of zone-block selected transistor BSQ (1) ~ BSQ (3) is to electrically connect with a current source respectively, and reception area block selection signal VAG (1) ~ VAG (3) is then distinguished in drain electrode, and grid is the control of suspension control signal VCS simultaneously then.Please also refer to Fig. 7, shown in it is the oscillogram in order to employed each signal of circuit of the Heater group of drive fluid injector head of present embodiment.When control signal VCS is activation, all conductings of zone-block selected transistor BSQ (1) ~ BSQ (3).And block selects signal VAG (1) ~ VAG (3) to be in the T3 respectively at T1, second phase T2 between the first phase and between the third phase activation to make first group of row selecting transistor CSQ (1) ~ CSQ (8), second group of row selecting transistor CSQ (9) ~ CSQ (16), the 3rd group of row selecting transistor CSQ (17) ~ CSQ (19) respectively at T1, second phase T2 and T3 conducting between the third phase between the first phase.So, address signal VA (1) ~ VA (8) is T1, second phase T2 and be sent to first group, second group and the 3rd group of row selecting transistor between the third phase in the T3 between respectively at the first phase.That is to say that 8 addressing electrodes are shared by three groups of row selecting transistors, so present embodiment also has the advantage that reduces required addressing electrode number.
Though present embodiment is to be metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) (metal oxidesemiconductor with main transistor, MOS) transistor is that example is done explanation, yet the main transistor main transistor also can be reached by bipolarity junction transistor (Bi-polar Junction Transistor) or junction field effect transistor (JunctionField Effect Transistor).
The fluid ejecting head with the circuit that drives Heater group that the above embodiment of the present invention disclosed is penetrated ink droplet of uniform size except the above-mentioned spray orifice that makes, to promote the print quality of ink-jet printer, and can improve the service speed of fluid ejecting head and avoid outside the advantage of generation of false action, the present invention also has following several advantages:
(1) only need use the manufacturing that the NMOS manufacture craft is finished drive circuit, can be effectively with low production cost.
(2) use driving component (NMOS) to get rid of the residual charge of the grid of main transistor, compared to the fluid ejecting head of the snakelike resistance of use of No. the 5th, 604,519, United States Patent (USP) case shown in Figure 1, the present invention also has the advantage of saving area.
(3) the 5th, 604, No. 519 employed snakelike resistance of United States Patent (USP) case shown in Figure 1 are owing to directly touch silicon dioxide layer, and directly do not touch base material, so radiating efficiency is not good.And the driving component of the residual charge of the grid of getting rid of main transistor of the present invention is directly to touch base material, so have preferable radiating efficiency.
Though the present invention describes with reference to current specific embodiment, but those of ordinary skill in the art will be appreciated that, above embodiment is used for illustrating the present invention, under the situation that does not break away from spirit of the present invention, also can make the variation or the replacement of various equivalences, therefore, as long as variation, the modification to the foregoing description all will drop in the scope of the application's claims in connotation scope of the present invention.