CN1824504B - Liquid-ejecting method and liquid-ejecting apparatus - Google Patents

Liquid-ejecting method and liquid-ejecting apparatus Download PDF

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CN1824504B
CN1824504B CN 200610059638 CN200610059638A CN1824504B CN 1824504 B CN1824504 B CN 1824504B CN 200610059638 CN200610059638 CN 200610059638 CN 200610059638 A CN200610059638 A CN 200610059638A CN 1824504 B CN1824504 B CN 1824504B
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ink
liquid
nozzle
pulse signal
unit
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CN1824504A (en
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桑原宗市
河野稔
中村正人
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Sony Corp
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Sony Corp
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Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid-ejecting method and liquid-ejecting apparatus. In a liquid-ejecting method for ejecting liquid contained in a liquid chamber from a nozzle as a liquid droplet group, the ejection amount of each liquid droplet of the continuously ejected liquid-droplet group can be stabilized corresponding to a wide frequency band of a pulse signal. Also, when one pixel is formed with a plurality of liquid droplets using a head capable of deflecting the ejecting direction of the liquid droplet, the image quality is improved by reducing the landing positional displacement between plural liquid droplets for forming the one pixel.

Description

Liquid jet method and liquid injection apparatus
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of liquid injection apparatus, this device has one with the head of a plurality of liquid ejection unit, and each unit has a nozzle, and relates to a kind of liquid jet method.
Background technology
Have the liquid injection apparatus example of a nozzle as having head, each unit with a plurality of liquid ejection unit, a kind of inkjet recording device is widely known by the people.Inkjet recording device such as ink-jet printer are widely used, its high-speed record, cheap operating cost and easy colorize, and the technology that forms high-resolution and high quality printed images is very flourishing.
For example, a kind of string data printhead is arranged, this printhead moves back and forth on the whole width of recording medium, and printing ink wherein ejects from a liquid ejection unit that is arranged in this printhead, forms print image.In this string data printhead, adopted a kind of multi-channel system.During printhead moved back and forth, during ink jet shaping print image in this multichannel, printing ink printed from a plurality of liquid ejection unit ejections the delegation that consists of print images.Therefore, the fluctuation on injection direction and the ink jet amount of spraying from each liquid ejection unit may be inconspicuous.
Equally, in ink-jet printer, pulse density modulated (a kind of method that forms a pixel by a plurality of ink droplets, i.e. so-called PNM) is known.Figure 20 is an illustrative embodiments that shows pulse density modulated (PNM system).In the method, in a pixel region, continuous injection is ink droplet for several times.Be not until after the ink droplet of landing is absorbed (infiltration) and enters printing paper for the first time next ink droplet just land, so at least part of zone and other region overlappings.Figure 20 shows from the ink droplet land once to the example of ink droplet land five times.Be not until after the ink droplet of landing is absorbed (infiltration) and enters printing paper for the first time next ink droplet just land, so a plurality of ink droplet combine, thereby form a large pixel.That is to say that PNM is such system: in this system, the ink droplet number that sprays by regulating each liquid ejection unit can be controlled the pixel diameter of formation print image with representing gradation with changing.In order to utilize such PNM system to form high quality printed images, it is important stablizing the ink droplet emitted dose that each liquid ejection unit sprays.The technology of being correlated with therewith, the known ink droplet quantity (for example Japanese patent application publication No. NO.3157945 (the 3rd page, accompanying drawing 5 and 8)) of stablizing during continous inkjet.
The technology of describing in Japanese patent application publication No. NO.3157945 relates to a kind of like this technology, and namely a plurality of independent ink droplet of a pixel is defined as an ink droplet group, and is the ejection pulse signal setting pulse spacing of same injection unit.Especially, will be set as in the pulse spacing: increase in a frequency band in pulse spacing, the emitted dose of unit ink droplet increases thereupon, thereby the ink droplet quantity of each ink droplet quantity of ink droplet group during with single ink droplet injection equates.Therefore, choose the pulse spacing of each ink droplet quantity of ink droplet group of balanced continuous injection from the curve map between driving frequency and ink jet flow characteristic, and utilize the selected pulse spacing can make each ink droplet quantity constant.Yet this pulse spacing is well-determined, therefore can not at random set.
Incidentally, corresponding with the string data printhead, a kind of line head is arranged, it has many print head chips corresponding to arranging on the whole width of recording medium.If line head is applied in technology described in Japanese patent application publication No. NO.3157945, so along with the increase of liquid ejection unit number, being applied to the electric power that is provided at the heater block in each liquid ejection unit can concentrate.In the case, provide the supply voltage of electric power to fluctuate for each heater block, result can not form high-quality image (first problem).
Equally, in the technology described in Japanese patent application publication No. NO.3157945, even the pulse spacing of each ink droplet quantity of the ink droplet group that balanced each liquid ejection unit of selection is sprayed from the ink jet rating curve, but the variation of temperature during due to each parts influence of fluctuations in the printhead manufacture process or use, the amount of each ink droplet also is easy to change, therefore, be difficult to stablize each ink droplet quantity (Second Problem) of the ink droplet group that each liquid ejection unit sprays.
Because in line head, recording medium just moves to form print image with respect to printhead on perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of printhead, so can not use multi-channel system.Therefore, the fluctuation of each liquid ejection unit on injection direction listed along imaging direction.If use the printhead in the injection direction fluctuation, must carry out as shown in Figure 19 B although print, the image of printing still has striped as shown in Figure 19 A and inhomogeneous problem (the 3rd problem).
On the other hand, when the 3rd problem solves, in the liquid injection apparatus with the printhead (line head) with a plurality of liquid ejection unit, the technology of employing PNM system proposes in Japanese patent application 2002-161928 (transferring the same assignee with the application), in this technology, control (deflection) liquid injection direction, use a plurality of liquid ejection unit, by the ink droplet land are formed a pixel on a pixel region.
Yet, in passing through with a plurality of liquid ejection unit, the ink droplet land to be formed the process of a pixel, because the corresponding pixel of a plurality of liquid ejection unit becomes complicated so process for the signal that sprays execution.
In addition, using during a plurality of liquid ejection unit form the process of a pixel by the ink droplet land, as shown in figure 21, the trend of increase is being arranged from the skew of the ink droplet landing positions of each liquid ejection unit ejection.Therefore, as shown in figure 21, in conjunction with so that when forming a pixel, the shape of pixel so just may cause deterioration of image quality (four problems) not close to circle when the point that formed by a plurality of ink droplets.
Summary of the invention
Therefore, in order to solve the first and second problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a kind of liquid injection apparatus and liquid jet method, it can stablize the emitted dose of each ink droplet of ink droplet group, described ink droplet is to spray to a landing point continuously from a nozzle of liquid injection apparatus, described device has one with the head of a plurality of liquid ejection unit, and each unit has a nozzle, corresponding to the broadband (the first purpose) of pulse signal.
In addition, in order to solve the third and fourth problem, another object of the present invention be when a point be when being formed by a plurality of drops, utilize one can the deflection of droplets injection direction head, improve picture quality by the skew on landing positions between a plurality of ink droplets that reduce to be used to form described point, thereby improve the quality (second purpose) of described point.
Therefore, the present invention solves above-mentioned purpose by following solution.
In order to realize the first purpose, a kind of liquid jet method according to the present invention comprises step: be full of a liquid chamber with liquid, this chamber forms corresponding to the nozzle of an atomizing of liquids; And by a pulse signal being provided for the injection power generation parts that are positioned at this liquid chamber, be stored in liquid liquid chamber with continuous drop group from described nozzle ejection, it is characterized in that, one is fixed or be approximately to the emitted dose of each drop of the described drop group of spraying to landing point continuously from described nozzle by described pulse signal corresponding to the constant of the predetermined frequency band of described pulse signal, and come atomizing of liquids by the driving frequency that controls changeably described pulse signal in described frequency band.
By such method, one is fixed or be approximately to emitted dose by described pulse signal each drop from the described drop group that described liquid jet hole sprays to landing point continuously corresponding to the constant of described pulse signal predetermined frequency band, and come atomizing of liquids by the driving frequency that controls changeably described pulse signal in described frequency band, so in the drop group of continuous injection, the emitted dose of each drop can keep stable corresponding to a predetermined frequency band of described pulse signal.
In order to realize the first purpose, a kind of liquid injection apparatus according to the present invention comprises a jet element, and these parts have a nozzle that is used for from its atomizing of liquids; Spray the power generation parts, it is positioned at liquid chamber, is used for producing for spraying with the form of drop group the energy that is contained in described fluid chamber indoor liquid from described nozzle; With the pulse signal genration device, offer for generation of one the pulse signal that sprays the power generation parts, wherein, the emitted dose of each drop of the described drop group from described nozzle continuous injection to a landing point be fix or be approximately a constant corresponding to the pulse signal predetermined frequency band, and liquid is to be sprayed by the driving frequency of the pulse signal in the described frequency band of variable control.
By such structure, described drop group from described nozzle continuous injection to a landing point emitted dose of each drop be fix or be approximately a constant corresponding to the pulse signal predetermined frequency band, and liquid is to be sprayed by the driving frequency of the pulse signal in the described frequency band of variable control, so in the drop group of continuous injection, the emitted dose of each drop can keep stable corresponding to the predetermined frequency band of described pulse signal.
In addition, in order to realize the second purpose, according to liquid injection apparatus of the present invention, comprise a stature, it has a plurality of liquid ejection unit that are in line, and each unit has a nozzle; The injection direction arrangement for deflecting, the injection direction that is used for the drop that deflection sprays from the nozzle of a liquid ejection unit, described like this drop is with dropping on a position or near described position, from the drop of the nozzle that is positioned near other liquid ejection unit a described liquid ejection unit in the situation that not deflection land; And the jet controling part spare that is used for controlling injection, like this when a pixel forms by a plurality of drop land, at least part of land zone overlaps each other, one of adjacent two pixels form by a plurality of drops from the nozzle ejection of a liquid ejection unit on perpendicular to the liquid ejection unit arranged direction, and one other pixel forms by a plurality of drops that the nozzle from the liquid ejection unit that is different from an above-mentioned liquid ejection unit sprays.
According to the present invention, when a drop from each liquid ejection unit nozzle can spray without deflection, by the deflection injection direction, drop can land a position or near this position, here near the drop of another liquid ejection unit nozzle described liquid ejection unit land without deflection.
For example, when drop sprayed from an adjacent liquid ejection unit x and a liquid ejection unit (x+1), the landing positions when the drop from liquid ejection unit x and liquid ejection unit (x+1) sprays without deflection was defined as respectively landing positions x and landing positions (x+1).Described liquid ejection unit x can make the drop land at landing positions x in the situation that a drop is sprayed in not deflection, and it also can be by the injection direction of this drop of deflection at drop of landing positions (x+1) land equally.Similarly, this liquid ejection unit (x+1) can be in the situation that a drop be sprayed in not deflection, make the drop land at landing positions (x+1), it also can be by the injection direction of this drop of deflection at drop of landing positions x land equally.
So, when a pixel is by a plurality of drops of land so that at least part of land zones overlaps each other when forming, the liquid ejection unit that is used to form this pixel is only a liquid ejection unit.In order to be formed on perpendicular to other pixel adjacent on the liquid ejection unit arranged direction, use is different from a liquid ejection unit of this liquid ejection unit, as using one of other liquid ejection unit adjacent on this liquid ejection unit arranged direction.
Description of drawings
Figure 1A and 1B are the schematic diagrames of an embodiment of liquid jet method of the present invention, show the printing ink that is contained in an ink chamber from the state of nozzle ejection one an ink droplet group;
Fig. 2 is the perspective cutaway view, of a specific embodiment of an ink-jet printer, and this printer is directly used in as one the device of carrying out droplet discharge method of the present invention;
Fig. 3 A and 3B are explanatory, show the structure that printhead shown in Fig. 2 has a kind of line head of color, and wherein Fig. 3 A is top view, and Fig. 3 B is bottom view;
Fig. 4 is the enlarged drawing of line head major part shown in Fig. 3 A and 3B;
Fig. 5 is the profile along V-V line in Fig. 3 B;
Fig. 6 is the profile along VI-VI line in Fig. 3 B;
Fig. 7 is the enlarged drawing of line head major part in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a chart, shows when the height of the ink flow passage shown in Fig. 7 is made as 11 μ m the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount;
Fig. 9 is a chart, shows when the height of the ink flow passage shown in Fig. 7 is made as 7 μ m the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount;
Figure 10 is a chart, and the negative pressure that shows when the spring part shown in Fig. 5 is-30mmH 2During O, the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount;
Figure 11 is a chart, and the negative pressure that shows when the spring part shown in Fig. 5 is-150mmH 2During O, the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount;
Figure 12 is applied to the decomposition diagram of the inkjet printer head of a liquid injection apparatus according to another embodiment;
Figure 13 is the top view of this embodiment line head;
Figure 14 A and 14B are respectively top view and the sectional side views that illustrates in greater detail this printhead ink jet unit;
Figure 15 A and 15B show the time difference of two heating resistor bubbles of ink generations that separate and the chart of the relation between the ink jet angle, and Figure 15 C shows the measurement data of the time difference that bubbles of ink produces in these two heating resistors that separate;
Figure 16 is a sectional side view, shows the relation between ink jet unit and printing paper;
Figure 17 is a schematic diagram, and the time difference that shows Bubble formation can be set in two structures between the heating resistor that separates;
Figure 18 is an explanatory, shows the location of pixels when forming image and carries out ink droplet regularly and spray;
Figure 19 A to 19C shows the layout of pixel when forming a pixel by three ink droplets;
Figure 20 is an explanatory that shows pulse density modulated; With
Figure 21 shows when carrying out pulse density modulated, and ink droplet has the embodiment of larger landing positions skew.
The specific embodiment
An embodiment of the invention are described below with reference to accompanying drawings.In the following description, an ink-jet printer (being designated hereinafter simply as printer) is as the example of liquid injection apparatus of the present invention.
In description, " ink droplet " refers to that this will be described later from a trace (for example several picoliters) of the printing ink (liquid) of nozzle 18 injections of liquid ejection unit.Equally, " point " refers to the material that is formed by a string ink droplet land on recording medium such as printing paper.
In addition, " pixel " refers to the least unit of image, and one " pixel region " is defined as the zone that forms a pixel thereon,
On a pixel region, the drop land of predetermined quantity are so that in the situation that neither one point forms a pixel (single order gray scale) or a pixel that is comprised of a plurality of points (three rank or multistage gray scale).Namely, 0,1 or a plurality of o'clock corresponding to a pixel region.By arranging that on a recording medium many these pixels form an image.
In addition, need not drop on fully in its pixel region corresponding to a point of a pixel, it can be outstanding in this pixel region.
" main scanning direction " is defined as the throughput direction of printing paper in the line printer that a line printhead is installed.Yet in the serial type printer, the moving direction (width of printing paper) of head is known as " main scanning direction ", and the throughput direction of printing paper, and namely the direction perpendicular to main scanning direction is defined as " inferior scanning direction ".
" pixel column " (pixel row) refers to a pixel groups being in line on main scanning direction.Therefore, in line printer, the pixel groups that is in line on the photographic paper delivering direction represents one " pixel column ".And in the serial type printer, a pixel groups representative " pixel column " that is in line on a moving direction.
" pixel column " (pixel line) represents the direction perpendicular to this pixel column.For example, in line printer, the direction that liquid ejection unit (or nozzle) is in line is called pixel column.
The below will describe an embodiment realizing the present invention's the first purpose.
Figure 1A and 1B are the schematic diagrames of an embodiment of liquid jet method of the present invention.This liquid jet method is that the liquid that will be contained in a liquid chamber becomes continuous drop group from a nozzle ejection.With reference to Figure 1A and 1B, a jet element 19 (back will be described) is provided with 20, one, a nozzle that is formed on wherein and is provided with a heating resistor 18 that is arranged in wherein corresponding to the ink chamber 21 that this nozzle 20 forms.In the case, provide a pulse signal by giving heating resistor 18, the printing ink that is contained in ink chamber 21 is injected into a continuous drop group 30,30... from nozzle 20.
According to liquid jet method of the present invention, be fixed or approaching constant corresponding to this pulse signal predetermined frequency band, and come ink jet by the driving frequency that is controlled at changeably the pulse signal in this frequency band from the drop group 30 of the continuous landing point injection on recording paper P of nozzle 20, each drop emitted dose of 30... by the continuous impulse signal.
Namely, ink chamber 21 replenishes quantity of ink with identical from the ink droplet quantity that nozzle 20 sprays at the pulse signal predetermined frequency band.The negative pressure that in the negative pressure degree that imposes on printing ink in ink chamber 21 with a predetermined pulse signal band and nozzle 20, ink pellet surface (meniscus) is not moved back to ink chamber 21 is identical.To describe in detail in the back in order to the structure that realizes these.
Fig. 2 is a perspective cutaway view, that is directly used in the ink-jet printer instantiation of the device of implementing droplet discharge method of the present invention.Thereby this ink-jet printer is upper with the formation print image by becoming ink droplet that ink droplet is attached to a recording paper (recording medium) ink jet ink chamber 21 from nozzle 20, and comprises a paper disc 2, paper feed parts 3, paper transfering part 4, a circuit unit 5 and a printhead 6 that is arranged in shell 1.
Shell 1 is a box-like body that is contained in the ink-jet printer structure member, form a for example cuboid shape, the one end is provided with a pallet passage 1a who is used for installing paper disc 2, and this will be described later, and the other end is provided with a paper outlet 1b who is used for output print recording paper P '.In shell 1, accommodate this paper disc 2.Paper disc 2 for example can hold the recording paper P of many A4 sizes with stack manner, be formed with the forward position side on it, in order to upwards raise recording paper P.Pallet passage 1a from an end face that is arranged in shell 1 is arranged on this paper disc 2 in shell 1.
On the forward position side of the paper disc 2 in being contained in shell 1, be provided with paper feed parts 3.Paper feed parts 3 offer paper transfer member 4 for the recording paper P that will be contained in paper disc 2, and this will be described later, and it comprises an intake roller 7 and paper feed motor 8.This intake roller 7 forms a for example semicylinder shape basically, sends to paper transfer member 4 in order to only will be stacked on the top record-paper P of the record-paper on paper disc 2.Paper feed motor 8 be used for to rotate intake roller 7 via the gear (not shown), and for example is arranged on intake roller 7.
Equally, below printhead 6 (will be described later), paper transfer member 4 is arranged in by paper feed parts 3 and provides on the direction of recording paper P.The recording paper P that will be provided by paper feed parts 3 is provided for paper transfer member 4 carries to the exit slot 1b that is positioned on shell 1 other end, and it comprises one first intake roller 9 and one second intake roller 11.The first intake roller 9 is used for and will opens P to paper feed guide rail 10 feeding recordable papers by the recording paper P that paper feed parts 3 provide, and it rotates the recording paper P that clamps between the pair of rolls part that contacts with each other in vertical direction.Same paper feed guide rail 10 is used for and will leads to the second intake roller 11 from the recording paper P that the first intake roller 9 is carried, and it forms a writing board shape, and is arranged in the below of printhead with a preset space length.In addition, the second intake roller 11 is used for and will be carried to the exit slot 1b that is positioned on shell 1 other end by the recording paper P of paper feed guide rail 10 guiding, and it rotates the recording paper P that clamps between the pair of rolls part that contacts with each other in vertical direction.
In addition, above paper disc 2, be furnished with circuit unit 5.Circuit unit 5 is used for controlling the operation of paper feed parts 3 and paper transfer member 4, it has formed the pulse signal generating means for generation of pulse signal, said signal is used for from being arranged in the liquid ejection unit (not shown) ink jet of printhead 6, this will be described later, it for example comprises an arithmetic element as the power supply for generation of the continuous impulse signal, and CPU or one are used for storing the memory of various correction data.
Above paper transfering part 4, be furnished with printhead 6.Printhead 6 is used for by making printing ink become ink droplet and atomizing of liquids printing ink, thereby form a print image by spray ink droplet on recording paper P, it has the modulation function of pulse density modulated type, and the pixel diameter that consists of print image by change represents rank.Printhead 6 accommodates yellow Y, fuchsin M, cyan C and black K four color inks, and has a line head (referring to Fig. 3 A and 3B), sprays each color in YMCK four color inks.In addition, in the following description, printhead 6 is described as the line liquid ejection unit (not shown) corresponding to the whole width layout of recording paper P.
In specification, by an ink chamber 21, be arranged in the heating resistor 18 in ink chamber 21 and be arranged in the part that the nozzle 20 of heating resistor 18 tops consists of and be called one " ink jet unit (being equal to liquid ejection unit of the present invention) ".Namely, line head 12 can be parts, and it has a plurality of ink jet units arranged side by side.Printhead 6 will be discussed in more detail below.
Fig. 3 A and 3B are explanatory, show the structure that printhead shown in Fig. 2 is used for a kind of line head of color.Line head 12 is used for becoming little drop by the printing ink with every kind of color and sprays, it comprises a downward injection unit (not shown), a shell 13, its have one with Fig. 2 shown in the corresponding length of the whole width of recording paper P, in order to cover as shown in Figure 3A line head 12, and the electric wire 14 that is arranged in shell 13 belows.Electric wire 14 is connected with the circuit unit 5 shown in Fig. 2, is used for receiving the continuous impulse signal that produces by at circuit unit 5, in order to pulse signal is offered a chip 17, this will be described later.As shown in Fig. 3 B, on the bottom surface of line head 12, be provided with a line printing head bracket 15.Slit ink supply port 16 forms along the longitudinal extension of head bracket 15.A plurality of chips 17,17... alternately are arranged in the right survey and left side of ink supply port 16.On the bottom surface of every stature chip 17, be furnished with many heater blocks 18, to produce the energy that is used for from nozzle 20 ink jets, this will be described later.
Fig. 4 is the enlarged drawing of line head major part shown in Fig. 3 A and 3B.With reference to Fig. 4, jet element 19 is bonded on a barrier layer 26, and described jet element 19 is separately to represent.
Chip 17 is formed by semiconductor substrate 22, and substrate is made by silicon and had and is deposited on the lip-deep heating resistor 18 of described semiconductor chip 22 1 (being equal to power generation parts of the present invention).Heating resistor 18 is electrically connected to an external circuit via a conduction unit (not shown) that is formed on described semiconductor chip 22.
Barrier layer 26 is made by a kind of photosensitive thermoprene resist or the solid dye film resist of a kind of exposure, it is by this resist of deposition one predetermined thickness H on the whole surface of semiconductor chip 22, form heating resistor 18 thereon, then remove unnecessary part by photoetching process.The height H (seeing Fig. 6) that the thickness on barrier layer 26 becomes and equals ink chamber 21.
And, having the jet element 19 that forms a plurality of nozzles 20 on it and for example made by nickel by electroforming, and be bonded on barrier layer 26, the position of nozzle 20 just corresponding to the position of heating resistor 18, namely, makes nozzle 20 relative with heating resistor 18 like this.Nozzle 19 also can plate palladium or gold, is used for preventing the erosion of printing ink.Jet element 19 is provided with the many nozzles that longitudinally form.Wherein, arrange that nozzle 20 makes the print image that is formed on recording paper P ' shown in Figure 2 have for example resolution ratio of 600dpi.If arrange nozzle 20 so that image has the resolution ratio of 600dpi, broach (ctenidia) 26a, the 26a... on comb shape barrier layer 26 is approximately with the pitch arrangement of 42.3 μ m.
Ink chamber 21 (being equal to liquid chamber of the present invention) is comprised of substrate assembly 22, barrier layer 26 and jet element 19, in order to surround heating resistor 18.Namely, as shown in FIG., substrate assembly 22 has consisted of the diapire of ink chamber 21; Barrier layer 26 has consisted of the sidewall of ink chamber 21; And jet element 19 has consisted of the roof of ink chamber 21.Thus, ink chamber 21 has the open area that is arranged in the place ahead, Fig. 4 right side, and this open area (not shown) that is connected with an ink flow passage.
With reference to Fig. 5 to 7, the such cross-section structure of line head 12 is described.Fig. 5 is the profile along V-V line in Fig. 3 B; Fig. 6 is the profile along VI-VI line in Fig. 3 B.As Fig. 5 or shown in Figure 6, corresponding to the position that is formed on sheet jet element 19 top nozzles 20 (seeing Fig. 3 B), form ink chamber 21.From ink supply port 16 (seeing Fig. 3 B), printing ink is supplied to ink chamber 21.As shown in Figure 5, at shell 13 (seeing Fig. 3 A) with wherein contain between the bag-shaped parts 24 of printing ink, be provided with a spring members 23.This spring members 23 plays the negative pressure generating device effect, is applied a negative pressure by giving at the interior additional printing ink of ink chamber 21, thereby outwards stretches this bag-shaped parts 24, is used for preventing that printing ink is spontaneously from nozzle 20 leakages.Impose on the power of the bag-shaped parts 24 of outside stretching, extension by adjusting, spring members 23 can freely arrange the negative pressure that imposes on printing ink.
With reference to Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, filter 25 is bonding and cover ink supply port 16, is blended in order to filter ink composition impurity and the condensation product that is contained in printing ink in bag-shaped parts 24.Due to filter 25, be blended in impurity in printing ink etc. and can not fall into ink supply port 16, thereby prevented the obstruction of nozzle 20.
Be provided with 100 ink chamber 21 in a general stature chip 17, each ink chamber 21 wherein is furnished with heating resistor 18.By the instruction from the printer control module, select uniquely these heating resistors one of them, be included in corresponding to the printing ink in the ink chamber 21 of this heating resistor in order to spray from the nozzle 20 relative with this ink chamber 21.
Namely, ink chamber 21 is full of printing ink from the bag-shaped parts 24 that are connected with ink supply port 16 via ink supply port 16.Then, the 18 process short time of heating resistor are the pulse current of 1 to 3 μ sec for example, and heating resistor 18 is by Fast Heating.As a result, the gaseous ink bubble is producing with the contacted part of heating resistor 18, and by the expansion of bubbles of ink, the printing ink of certain volume is moved (printing ink enters fluidized state).Thus, the printing ink that is positioned at the equal volume on nozzle 20 sprays with ink droplets from nozzle 20, thereby land are to form a point thereon on printing paper.
Namely, as shown in Figure 7, the pulse signal heating that is produced by circuit unit 5 (seeing Fig. 2) is formed on the lip-deep heating resistor 18 of a chip 17, in order to move printing ink in being contained in ink chamber 21 by the bubble that produces in the printing ink of heating, an ink droplet 30 sprays from nozzle 20 as a result, thereby land form a point thereon on printing paper.Then, as shown by arrow J, ink chamber 21 replenishes printing ink by ink supply port 16, makes heating resistor 18 cooling, and result is by the cooling bubble of having eliminated.
In circuit unit 5 (seeing Fig. 2), produce the continuous impulse signal, in order to provide it to heating resistor 18 (seeing Fig. 7).Thus, as shown in Figure 1A, the printing ink that is contained in ink chamber 21 sprays to a pixel D on recording paper P with the form of a continuous ink droplet group 30,30... from nozzle 20.As shown in Figure 1B, the ink droplet group 30, the 30... that are injected on recording paper P extend on the direction of arrow S, to form pixel D.At this moment, form the number of times of pulse signal by adjustment, thereby regulate from the number of the ink droplet 30 of nozzle 20 injections, change the diameter that is bonded in the pixel D on recording paper P, representing gradation.
In liquid injection apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1A and 1B, by continuous impulse signal continuous spraying emitted dose of each ink droplet in the ink droplet group of a landing point be fix or be approximately a constant, it is corresponding to the predetermined frequency band of pulse signal, and comes atomizing of liquids by the driving frequency that controls changeably the pulse signal in frequency band.
Especially, in ink chamber shown in Figure 7 21, the ink supply side that is positioned at ink chamber 21 forms opening, and this opening has a height, and it can transmit the ink droplet group 30 of spraying from nozzle 2 with a predetermined pulse frequency frequency band, the printing ink of 30... equal number.For example, the height of ink chamber 21, namely the height H on barrier layer 26 is 11 μ m.
The height of describing ink chamber 21 with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 is the reason of 11 μ m.Fig. 8 is a chart, shows when the height H of the ink chamber 21 shown in Fig. 7 is 11 μ m the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount.Equally, Fig. 9 is also a chart, shows when the height of the ink chamber shown in Fig. 7 is 7 μ m the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount.With reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, when the negative pressure of the spring members 23 shown in Fig. 5 is-150mmH 2During O, the characteristic of ink ejection amount represents with circle symbol (O); When the negative pressure of the spring members 23 shown in Fig. 5 is-60mmH 2During O, the characteristic of ink ejection amount represents with rectangle symbol (); When the negative pressure of the spring members 23 shown in Fig. 5 is-30mmH 2During O, the characteristic of ink ejection amount represents with triangle symbol (△).
As shown in Figure 8, in the situation that the height H of ink chamber 21 (seeing Fig. 7) is 11 μ m, from the ink droplet emitted dose of nozzle 20 ejection can be fix or be approximately a constant, it is corresponding to the about broadband of the pulse signal of 1KHz to 10KHz.Yet as shown in Figure 9, in the situation that the height H of ink chamber 21 is 7 μ m, when the driving frequency of pulse signal for example increased from 5KHz, its ink ejection amount trended towards reducing.Its reason is that in the situation that the height H of ink chamber shown in Figure 7 21 is little of being 7 μ m, the height that ink chamber 21 is difficult to again replenish with at pulse signal drives under frequency band from the identical printing ink of the number of ink droplets of nozzle 20 ejections.In the case, because the quantity of ink of makeup oil ink chamber 21 reduces again, so compare lower than the situation of 5KH with the pulse signal driving frequency, ink ejection amount reduces.Therefore, preferably the height H of ink chamber is increased to for example 11 μ m.
In spring members shown in Figure 5 23, it is set as ink pellet surface in the negative pressure degree that imposes on printing ink in ink chamber 21 under the pulse signal predetermined frequency band and nozzle 20, and not to be pulled the negative pressure degree of ink chamber 21 identical.For example, the negative pressure of spring members 23 is made as-30mmH 2O。
The negative pressure of describing spring members 23 with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11 is made as-30mmH 2The reason of O.Figure 10 is a chart, and the negative pressure that shows when spring members 23 is made as-30mmH 2During O, the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount; Figure 11 is a chart, and the negative pressure that shows when spring members is made as-150mmH 2During O, the relation between pulse signal driving frequency and ink ejection amount.With reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11, when the height H of the ink chamber 21 shown in Fig. 7 was 7 μ m, the characteristic of ink ejection amount represented with triangle symbol (△); When the height H of the ink chamber 21 shown in Fig. 7 was 11 μ m, the characteristic of ink ejection amount represented with rectangle symbol ().
As shown in figure 10, the negative pressure (seeing Fig. 4) when spring members 23 is set as-30mmH 2When the height H of O and ink chamber 21 is 11 μ m, from the ink droplet emitted dose of nozzle 20 ejection may be fix or be approximately a constant, it is corresponding to the about broadband of the pulse signal of 1KHz to 10KHz.Yet, as shown in figure 11, when the negative pressure (seeing Fig. 5) of spring members 23 is set as-150mmH 2O, and the height H when ink chamber 21 be 7 μ m with height H when ink chamber 21 be in 11 μ m any the time, ink ejection amount trends towards minimizing when the driving frequency of pulse signal reduces for example less than 5KHz.Its reason is, in the negative pressure of spring members shown in Figure 5 23 large as-150mmH 2In the situation of O, in nozzle 20, ink pellet surface is easy to be pulled ink chamber under the low driving frequency band of pulse signal.In the case, because the quantity of ink of makeup oil ink chamber 21 reduces again, so compare higher than the situation of 5KHz with the driving frequency of pulse signal, ink ejection amount reduces.Therefore, preferably the negative pressure of spring members 23 is made as fractional value and for example is made as-30mmH 2O。
In the foregoing description, the height H of ink chamber 21 is 11 μ m, and the negative pressure of spring members 23 is made as-30mmH 2O； Yet the present invention is not limited thereto, and the height H of ink chamber 21 needs only under its predetermined frequency band (high-frequency) that highly can replenish pulse signal just enough from the identical quantity of ink of ink droplet group 30, the 30... of nozzle 20 injections.Especially, height H determined by the spacing between the broach 26a on comb shape barrier layer 26, and this spacing is the width of ink chamber 21 shown in Fig. 4, namely the flow channel resistance.Therefore, when the spacing between the broach 26a that further reduces comb shape barrier layer 26 in order to improve image resolution ratio, must improve the flow channel shape in order to do not increase the flow channel resistance.As a method, can increase the height H of ink chamber 21.Equally, the negative pressure of spring members 23 is not limited to-30mmH 2O； Alternatively, as long as in nozzle 20, the surface (meniscus) of printing ink is not pulled ink chamber under the predetermined frequency band (low frequency) of pulse signal, the negative pressure of spring members 23 is just enough.
Below, description is configured to the operation of the ink-jet printer of liquid injection apparatus mode.At first, with reference to Fig. 2, the recording paper P that is contained in paper disc 2 offers paper transfer member 4 by paper supply parts 3, in order to pass through the below of printhead 6.At this moment, printhead 6 sprays YMCK four color inks (seeing Fig. 3 B) with ink droplets from injection unit, thereby forms print image on recording paper P.Recording paper P ' exports from the exit slot 1b on the other end that is positioned at shell 1.
The operation of printhead 6 is described below.At first as shown in Figure 7, the ink chamber 21 that forms corresponding to nozzle 20 replenishes printing ink, produces continuous pulse signal (seeing Fig. 2) and provide it to the heating resistor 18 that is positioned at ink chamber 21 in circuit unit 5, so that Repeat-heating heating resistor 18.Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, the printing ink that is included in ink chamber 21 sprays from the form of nozzle 20 with ink droplet group 30,30....
The height H of ink chamber 21 is for example 11 μ m as mentioned above.Therefore, as shown by arrow J, ink chamber 21 replenishes the printing ink identical with the ink droplet quantity that sprays from nozzle 20 again under the predetermined frequency band (high-frequency) of continuous impulse signal.Equally, the negative pressure of spring members 23 for example is made as-30mmH 2O。Therefore, by imposing on the negative pressure on the spring members 23 that is included in ink chamber's 21 interior printing ink, under the predetermined frequency band (low frequency) of continuous impulse signal, can prevent that in nozzle 20, ink pellet surface is pulled in ink chamber 21.
Therefore, by the continuous impulse signal, constant quantitatively be fixed or be approximately to the emitted dose of each ink droplet that continuously sprays to ink droplet group 30, the 30... of a pixel D from nozzle 20 can, and it is corresponding to the broadband of pulse signal.Especially, as using in Fig. 8 as shown in triangle symbol (△), pulse signal predetermined frequency band by correspondence (for example approximately 1KHz to 10KHz), the emitted dose of each ink droplet 30 can keep stably fixing or be approximately a constant (for example 5-4.8 picoliter).Then, in broadband, can come atomizing of liquids by the driving frequency of control wave changeably.Therefore, the driving frequency of continuous impulse signal can Set arbitrarily, and print image can form by the Decentralized Impulse signal like this, and this pulse signal is used for offering the heating resistor 18 that is positioned at nozzle 20.In the case, be used for providing the supply voltage of electric power can not fluctuate to each heating resistor 18, can stablize from the emitted dose of the ink droplet of nozzle 20 ejections like this, the grade after result is improved by use records and forms qualitative picture.
Because the driving frequency of continuous impulse signal can Set arbitrarily, so in making the technique of printhead or in use there is not the impact of fluctuating between product during variations in temperature, can stablize from the emitted dose of each nozzle 20 ejection ink droplet like this, the grade after result is improved by use records and forms qualitative picture.
The example that is applied to ink-jet printer has been described in the above; Yet the present invention is not limited thereto, if its from a liquid jet hole with drop form atomizing of liquids, can be incorporated into any device.For example, can be incorporated into a kind of image processing system such as a kind of ink jet type facsimile machine or duplicator.Can be applied to equally a kind of be used to spraying a kind of device that contains the solution of DNA (DNA) for detection of biomaterial.
Line head has been described; Yet the liquid that sprays from nozzle is not limited to printing ink, so long as with the liquid in drop form atomizing of liquids chamber, any liquid all is suitable for.
In addition, described spring members 23, it is as the negative pressure production part that is used for negative pressure is imposed on ink chamber's 21 printing ink; Yet the present invention is not limited thereto, as long as it prevents that the fluid chamber indoor liquid from the nozzle natural leak, can be incorporated into any device.For example, it can be also a kind of be used to holding printing ink bag-shaped parts 24 and the layout of ink supply port 16.Described heating resistor 18, it is as the injection power generation parts that are used for from an injection unit ink jet; Yet the present invention is not limited thereto, and spraying the power generation parts can be any device, and for example the liquid in liquid flow path sprays by made liquid become droplet by electromechanical transformation apparatus in this device.
The below uses description to realize an embodiment of the present invention's the second purpose.The purpose of this embodiment is, when a point be by utilize one can the deflection of droplets injection direction head when being formed by a plurality of drops, the quality of point is offset to improve by landing positions between a plurality of drops that reduce to form this point.
According to above-mentioned embodiment, heating resistor 18 has been described, it is as a heating resistor 18 of arranging for each ink chamber 21.Yet according to present embodiment, for each ink chamber arranges a plurality of power generation parts, this will be described later.In this embodiment, although do not describe, above-mentioned embodiment can be applied in this embodiment certainly.Omitted the description with the common structure of above-mentioned embodiment.
(header structure)
Figure 12 is the decomposition diagram of an ink-jet printer (hereinafter to be referred as printer) printhead, and it is as the example of liquid injection apparatus of the present invention.In Figure 12, jet element 19 is bonded on barrier layer 26 in the mode identical with above-mentioned embodiment.
According to present embodiment, line head is also by arranging that on the width of printing paper a plurality of printheads 31 form.Figure 13 is the top view according to this embodiment line head 33.Figure 13 shows four printheads 31 (" N-1 ", " N ", " N+1 " and " N+2 ").When line head 33 forms, be furnished with a plurality of chips, each chip is equivalent to printhead 31 except jet element 19 as shown in figure 12.Then, on these chips, paste jet element 19 plates, form nozzle 20 in the position corresponding to whole chip ink jet units on this plate, in order to form line head 33.This mode with above-mentioned embodiment is identical.
Because the ink jet unit of present embodiment is different from the ink jet unit of above-mentioned embodiment, this point will be described in detail.
Figure 14 A and 14B are respectively detailed ink jet unit top view and sectional side views of printhead 31; Figure 14 A shows nozzle 20 with chain-dotted line.
As shown in Figure 14 A and 14B, according to present embodiment, in an ink chamber 21, be furnished with heating resistor 32 dichotomous.The arranged direction of two heating resistors that separate 32 is the arranged direction (dextrad in Figure 14 and left-hand) of nozzle 20 (ink jet unit).
With a heating resistor 32 in two in form,, width identical due to its length reduces by half longitudinally, and the resistance of heating resistor 32 doubles.If the heating resistor 32 of form is connected in series in two, because the heating resistor that doubles 32 is connected in series, so its resistance is original four times.
In order to make the printing ink boiling in ink chamber 21, must apply predetermined electric power with heating heating resistor 32 by giving heating resistor 32.By the energy between boiling period, printing ink is ejected.If resistance is little, the electric current by heating resistor 32 must increase; By increasing the resistance of heating resistor 32, can make the printing ink boiling by enough little electric currents.
Therefore, be used for also can reducing by the transistorized size of electric current, thereby saved the space.In addition, although the thickness of heating resistor 32 reduces to increase resistance, consider to be the selected material of heating resistor 32 and intensity (durability) thereof, reducing on heating resistor 32 thickness has a predetermined restriction.Therefore, in the situation that do not reduce its thickness by it is separately increased the resistance of heating resistor 32.
In the situation that heater resistance 32 in two is arranged in an ink chamber 21, if arriving the time (Bubble formation time) that makes the printing ink boiling temperature, each heating resistor 32 equates, printing ink on two heating resistors 32 seethes with excitement simultaneously so, and ink droplet sprays on the axis direction of nozzle 20 like this.Yet if occurred the time difference of Bubble formation time between heating resistor in two 32, the printing ink on two heating resistors 32 can not seethe with excitement simultaneously so.Therefore, the axis direction of the injection direction of ink droplet and nozzle 20 is out of line, and ink droplet sprays with regard to deflection like this.Therefore, this ink droplet is with on the position of dropping on a deviation position, in this position ink droplet land without deflection.
Figure 15 A and 15B show the time difference of two heating resistors that separate, 32 bubbles of ink generations and the relation between the ink jet angle, and it comes from computer simulation.With reference to these charts, directions X (the ordinate θ of icon x, note: icon does not have abscissa) and the arranged direction of expression nozzle 20, and Y-direction (the ordinate θ y of icon notices that icon does not have abscissa) expression is perpendicular to the direction (printing paper direction of transfer) of directions X.Figure 15 C shows the measurement data under half electric current difference between these two heating resistors that separate 32, it was depicted on abscissa as the time difference that two heating resistors that separate, 32 bubbles of ink produce, and the amount of deflection (measuring when the distance between supposition nozzle 20 and landing positions is about 2mm) at the ink droplet landing positions is depicted on ordinate as ink droplet spray angle (directions X) simultaneously.In Figure 15 C, when the principal current of heating resistor 32 is made as 80mA, and deflection current carries out the deflection of ink droplet and sprays when being superimposed upon on a heating resistor 32.
When time difference that bubbles of ink produces produces between in two heating resistor 32 on the arranged direction of nozzle 20, as shown in Figure 15 A to Figure 15 C, spray angle and the vertical direction of ink droplet are out of line, the deflection angle theta of ink droplet in nozzle 20 orientations xIncrease in company with the time difference of bubbles of ink generation.
So, according to present embodiment, by utilizing these characteristics, heating resistor 32 in two is provided, wherein pass through a heating resistor 32 and the electric current by another heating resistor 32 by differentiation, produced the time difference of Bubble formation between two heating resistors that separate 32, so that the jet angle of deflected droplets (jet angle deflection component).
If the resistance of the error heating resistor 32 in two during for example due to manufacturing is not identical, because produced the time difference of Bubble formation between two heating resistors 32, so jet angle and the vertical direction of ink droplet are out of line, the landing positions of ink droplet just departs from the home position like this.Yet by changing the difference between current between heating resistor 32 in two, control the Bubble formation time of each heating resistor 32, if and the Bubble formation time of heating resistor in two 32 is identical, so the jet angle of ink droplet can with vertical direction in line.
For example, in line head 33, jet angle by injection ink droplet one or more from original jet angle deflection from whole printhead 31, in this printhead 31, error during due to manufacturing, ink droplet can not spray on the direction perpendicular to printing paper land surface, revise the jet angle in printhead 31, thereby ink droplet can spray in vertical direction.
Equally, in a printhead 31, the jet angle of the ink droplet that only sprays from concrete one or more ink jet units can be deflected.If the jet angle of the ink droplet of the ink jet unit ejection that from a printhead 31 one is concrete for example is not parallel to from the jet angle of the ink droplet of another ink jet unit ejection, so only deflection is from the jet angle of the ink droplet of this concrete ink jet unit ejection, in order to make it to be parallel to the jet angle from the ink droplet of another ink jet unit.
In addition, in the situation that line head 33, if ink jet unit or an ink jet unit that is not enough to spray ink droplet that can not spray ink droplet is arranged, ink droplet just can not or be injected on pixel column corresponding to this ink jet unit (on the direction perpendicular to the ink jet unit orientation) hardly so, so just can not form a little, vertically the informal voucher line has reduced picture quality.Yet according to this embodiment, by near another ink jet unit being positioned at, can spray ink droplet and replace being not enough to spray the described ink jet unit of ink droplet.
The degree of deflection of ink droplet jet angle is described below.Figure 16 is a sectional side view, shows the relation between ink jet unit and photographic paper P.
With reference to Figure 16, the distance H between ink jet unit (nozzle 20) edge and recording paper P generally is approximately 1 to 2mm; Here suppose H=2mm (H is essentially constant).Equally, when the resolution ratio of printhead 31 was assumed to 600dpi, the spacing between adjacent ink jet unit was 25.4 * 1000/600 ≈ 42.3 (μ m).
Be used for deflection from the injection direction of the ink droplet of an injection unit ejection according to the injection direction deflection component of this embodiment, ink droplet is with dropping on a position or near this position like this, at this place from the ink droplet that is positioned near another ink jet unit this ink jet unit land without deflection.
According to this embodiment, the control signal from the injection direction of the ink droplet of each injection unit ejection by having J (J is positive integer) position is 2 JThe different directions upper deflecting, simultaneously will be with 2 JThe direction separately spacing setting between maximum two landing points of ink droplet becomes (2 of distance between adjacent ink jet unit (nozzle 20) J-1) doubly.So, when spraying ink droplet from this ink jet unit, select 2 JAny of direction.
For example when two signals (J=2) when the control signal, the quantity of control signal is 4 i.e. (0,0), (0,1), (1,0) and (1,1), the injection direction of ink droplet is 4 (2 J=4).During deflection two separately the distance between maximum point be 3 times (2 of spacing between two adjacent ink jet units J-1)=3.So, when control signal is (0,0), (0,1), (1,0) and (1,1) when changing each time, the landing positions of ink droplet (point) moves by the spacing between adjacent ink jet unit.In above-mentioned example, if when during deflection, separately the distance between maximum two points is assumed to 3 times of spacings (42.3 μ m) between two adjacent ink jet units, 126.9 μ m namely, deflection angle theta (degree) is:
Tan2θ＝126.9/2000≈0.0635
So, θ ≈ 1.8 (degree).
The below describes the method that is used for the deflected droplets injection direction in detail.
Figure 17 is a schematic diagram, shows to set the structure of the time difference of Bubble formation between two heating resistors that separate 32.In this example, use one two control signals (J=2), the difference between current of four kinds of forms by flow through resistor Rh-A and resistance R h-B is set the injection direction of ink droplet in four steps.
With reference to Figure 17, resistor Rh-A and resistor Rh-B are respectively 32 two resistance that separate of heating resistor; According to this embodiment, set resistor Rh-A less than resistor Rh-B.From the interface channel between resistor Rh-A and resistor Rh-B (intermediate point), electric current can flow out.And three resistance R d are used for the injection direction of deflected droplets.In addition, transistor Q1, Q2 and Q3 are as the switch of resistor Rh-A and resistor Rh-B.
An input block C is used for binary control signal of input (being only " 1 ") when by electric current.In addition, symbol L1 and L2 represent binary system input AND door, and symbol B1 and B2 represent respectively the input block for input AND door L1 and L2 binary signal (" 0 " or " 1 ").In addition, for AND door L1 and L2, provide electric power from a power supply VH.In the case, when input C=1 and (B1, B2)=(0,0), only transistor Q1 work, and transistor Q2 and Q3 do not work (electric current is by these three resistor Rd).At this moment, resistor Rh-A and resistor Rh-B if electric current is flowed through, the resistor Rh-A that flows through respectively is identical with the electric current of resistor Rh-B.Therefore, the heat value of resistor Rh-A is less than the heat value of resistor Rh-B, because the resistance of resistor Rh-A is less than the resistance of resistor Rh-B.Under this state, the ink droplet land are at high order end.This moment, the landing positions of ink droplet was set as from the not deflection of ink droplet that is positioned at ink jet unit before unit, left side secondary series and near the position of land (comprising this position).
When input C=1 and (B1, B2)=(1,0), electric current also passes through two the resistor Rd (electric current is without the resistor Rd that is connected with transistor Q2) that are connected in series with transistor Q3.As a result, the electric current of the resistor Rh-B that flows through reduces, and less than the electric current when inputting (B1, B2)=(0,0).Yet equally in the case, the heat value of resistor Rh-A is less than the heat value of resistor Rh-B.
This moment, the landing positions of ink droplet was set as from the not deflection of ink droplet of the adjacent ink jet unit of on the left side and the position of land.
And then, when input C=1 and (B1, B2)=(0,1), electric current is through the resistor Rd that is connected with transistor Q2 (electric current is without two resistor Rd that are connected in series with transistor Q3).As a result, the electric current of the resistor Rh-B that flows through reduces, and less than the electric current when inputting (B1, B2)=(1,0).In the case, the heat value of resistor Rh-A is identical with the heat value of resistor Rh-B.Therefore, ink droplet sprays without deflection in the case.
And when input C=1 and (B1, B2)=(1,1), electric current passes through three resistor Rd that are connected with Q3 with transistor Q2.As a result, the electric current of the resistor Rh-B that flows through reduces, and less than the electric current when inputting (B1, B2)=(0,1).In the case, the heat value of resistor Rh-A is identical greater than the heat value of resistor Rh-B.
This moment, the landing positions of ink droplet was set as from the not deflection of ink droplet of adjacent on the right ink jet unit and the position of land.
As mentioned above, the resistance value of resistor Rh-A, Rh-B can be set like this, namely each as input value (B1, B2) as being (0,0), (1,0), (0,1) and (1, when 1) changing, the landing positions of ink droplet (point) moves by the spacing between adjacent ink jet unit.
Therefore, the landing positions of ink droplet can be transformed into following four positions: except not deflection of ink droplet landing positions (perpendicular to the land surface of printing paper); From the ink droplet of the ink jet unit that is positioned at secondary series front, unit, the left side position of land without deflection; The ink droplet that comes from the adjacent ink jet unit in the left side is the position of land without deflection; And from the ink droplet of the adjacent ink jet unit in the right side position of land without deflection.According to input value (B1, B2), ink droplet may land on arbitrary position in these four positions.
(jet controling part spare)
According to this embodiment, provide a kind of jet controling part spare.When using above-mentioned injection direction deflection component, point forms like this by the land of a plurality of drops, be at least part of land zones overlap each other (modulation of counting), jet controling part spare is controlled injection like this, namely one of adjacent two points are to form by a plurality of drops that spray from a liquid ejection unit on the direction perpendicular to the liquid ejection unit orientation, and on the other hand form by a plurality of drops that spray from other liquid ejection unit that is different from this liquid ejection unit.
Location of pixels during 18 Description Images form below with reference to accompanying drawings and execution ink droplet regularly spray.
With reference to Figure 18, ordinate represents a time shaft arbitrarily, and abscissa represents a distance arbitrarily.Time shaft is carried out injection regularly corresponding to the ink droplet that sprays according to number of levels arbitrarily, and distance is corresponding to the location of pixels according to the ink jet unit orientation arbitrarily.Namely, Figure 18 shows at each location of pixels and forms the necessary ink droplet injection of some number (namely, being used for forming necessary time of point in each pixel).
With reference to Figure 18, the row in each pixel in the ink jet unit orientation is defined as pixel column.In this pixel column, show on ordinate M capable and one (M+1) OK.In each pixel, for example can spray nearly P ink droplet.Therefore, the ink droplet that each pixel has the timing carried out sprays 1 to P, illustrates with the time slot in Fig. 8.Namely, in each pixel, form point with maximum P ink droplets.In other words, on abscissa, location of pixels illustrates with pixel count first to N.Therefore, the ink jet unit number is N in orientation.
With reference to Figure 18, on capable and location of pixels 1, ink droplet sprays four times, in order to formed a little by four ink droplets at location of pixels 1 at M.On (M+1) row and location of pixels 1, ink droplet sprays three times in order to formed a little by three ink droplets at location of pixels 1 equally.
The location of pixels 1 of the location of pixels 1 that M is capable and (M+1) row is basically on identical straight line.The one other pixel position is also identical.
When the point that forms on M is capable with one or more ink droplets with when basically being arranged in by this way on same straight line with the point that one or more ink droplets form on M+1 is capable, namely, when point is adjacent on the direction perpendicular to the orientation of ink jet unit, control like this injection according to the jet controling part spare of present embodiment, be about to be used for forming the ink jet unit of a point and distinguish for the ink jet unit that forms a point on the capable specific pixel location of M+1 on the capable specific pixel location of M.
(liquid ejection unit alternative pack)
Comprise ink jet unit alternative pack (being equal to liquid ejection unit alternative pack of the present invention) according to the jet controling part spare of present embodiment, be used for selecting an ink jet unit to spray ink droplet from a plurality of ink jet units.
When selecting ink jet unit by the ink jet unit alternative pack, can be a kind of method according to a preassigned pattern or a random method of selecting.
The ink jet unit of a printing head 31 is numbered 1,2 ..., N-1 and N, and from ink jet unit 1,2 ..., the location of pixels numbering of N-1 and the N ink droplet land of spraying is respectively 1,2 ..., N-1 and N.
At this moment, in the method according to preassigned pattern, when when the ink droplet with the capable location of pixels identical with (M+1) line number word of M sprays, can be set as and select different ink jet units.
For example, for the capable location of pixels x of M (x be 1 to N any one the number) ink droplet of land, ink jet unit x can be used, and for the ink droplet of location of pixels x land at (M+1) row, ink jet unit (x+1) can be used.
Equally, at ink droplet of location of pixels x land, can use the ink jet unit contiguous with this ink jet unit x, namely ink jet unit (x+1) or ink jet unit (x-1).Except these ink jet units, also can use ink jet unit (x+2), ink jet unit (x-2), ink jet unit (x+3) or ink jet unit (x-3).
In addition, at the location of pixels x of every row land ink droplet: at the capable location of pixels x of M, use ink jet unit x; At the location of pixels x of (M+1) row, use ink jet unit (x+1); At the location of pixels x of (M+2) row, use ink jet unit x; Can be used alternatingly ink jet unit x and ink jet unit (x+1) at the location of pixels x of every row like this.
In addition, at the capable location of pixels x of M, use ink jet unit x; At the location of pixels x of (M+1) row, use ink jet unit (x+1); At the location of pixels x of (M+2) row, use ink jet unit (x-1); At the location of pixels x of (M+3) row, use ink jet unit x; Like this at the location of pixels x of every row, three ink jet units of arranging continuously are ink jet unit x, ink jet unit (x+1), ink jet unit (x-1), in other words, except the ink jet unit x that is located immediately at location of pixels x top, can reuse the ink jet unit (x+1), the ink jet unit (x-1) that are positioned at its both sides.
In addition, at the capable location of pixels x of M, use ink jet unit (x-1); At the location of pixels x of (M+1) row, use ink jet unit (x+1); At the location of pixels x of (M+2) row, use ink jet unit (x-1); At the location of pixels x of every row, can not use the ink jet unit x that is located immediately at location of pixels x top like this.
(injection direction determining means)
Jet controling part spare according to present embodiment comprises the injection direction determining means, for determining from the injection direction of the ink droplet that is sprayed by the selected ink jet unit of ink jet unit alternative pack.
This injection direction determining means is determined from the injection direction of the ink droplet of selected ink jet unit and the location of pixels of ink droplet land.
For example, at ink droplet of location of pixels x land, when selecting ink jet unit x, control described ink droplet in the situation that not deflection land.During in the upper land of location of pixels x and location of pixels (x-1), control like this injection direction when ink droplet, Jimo drop in location of pixels x land or by with described ink droplet to injection unit x deflection land in its vicinity.Similarly, at ink droplet of location of pixels x land, when selecting ink jet unit (x+1), control like this injection direction, Jimo drop in location of pixels x land or by with described ink droplet to injection unit x deflection land in its vicinity.
If spray by this way ink droplet, even image has a plurality of grades, a pixel is often formed by a plurality of ink droplets that spray from an injection unit.Therefore, it is minimum that the skew of ink droplet landing positions can be reduced to, thereby improved picture quality.
Equally, at (on same straight line) on the direction perpendicular to the ink jet unit orientation, two adjacent pixels are often formed by mutual different injection unit.
Therefore, the fluctuation of ink jet unit inherence can not be arranged on same straight line, has improved the quality of general image.Therefore, if a specific ink jet unit if use identical ink jet unit, at the location of pixels of this row, just can not form all the time a little, yet in said method, such situation can be avoided such as not spraying ink droplet owing to stopping up to wait.
Equally, being used for spraying according to this embodiment the signal of carrying out in this technology processes uncomplicated, it illustrates in the application's description of related art, advise in Japanese patent application 2002-161928, it has transferred the application's same assignee, can simplify so signal is processed.
In addition, if its injection direction of ink jet unit in advance with other ink jet unit not point-blank, like this when arranging when having the pixel of a plurality of grades, even not deflection of the injection direction correction of ink jet unit, departing from of some landing positions is also to allow and imperceptible.
Figure 19 A to 19C shows when the arrangement that was formed time point at o'clock by three ink droplets.
Two Figure 19 A and 19B show and are arranged in three pixels that ink droplet forms that (are arranged on the direction perpendicular to the ink jet unit orientation) on same straight line by from same ink jet unit.For example, in the accompanying drawings, the whole pixel on the leftmost side is formed by the ink jet unit that is positioned on the leftmost side.In other words, two Figure 19 A and 19B show the example that does not have to use according to the jet controling part spare of present embodiment.
Figure 19 A shows the example that does not use the injection direction deflection component, and wherein the injection direction of the 4th ink jet unit deflects into the left side Fig. 8 from the left side.In the case, between left side the 4th and the 5th, one does not have the zone of image with the form of an informal voucher line.Yet in Figure 19 B, utilize the injection direction deflection component, deflect into the right side of accompanying drawing from the injection direction of left side the 4th ink jet unit ink droplet.By controlling by this way the landing positions from the 4th ink jet unit ink droplet, can eliminate the informal voucher line.
Yet Figure 19 C shows the example that under not deflection yawing moment from left side four ink jet unit ink droplet utilize ejection control device the same as example in Figure 19 B.
In the example of Figure 19 C, utilize left side the 4th ink jet unit to form left side the 4th point in the first row.In the second row below, utilize the 4th ink jet unit to form left side the 5th point.In addition, in the third line, form the second point in left side with it.
Then, in the pixel that is formed by Unit the 4th, although compare with other pixel and produced the position skew because the pixel that is formed by the 4th ink jet unit can not continuous arrangement on the direction perpendicular to the ink jet unit orientation, so do not produce informal voucher line in Figure 19 A example.
The present invention is not limited to above-mentioned embodiment, for example can carry out following various modifications.
(1) according to embodiment, two two pixels adjacent on perpendicular to the ink jet unit orientation are often sprayed by the ink droplet from different ink jet units; The present invention is not limited thereto, in two adjacent pixels, can exist a pixel to be formed by same ink jet unit.For example, capable and (M+1) capable location of pixels x at M, pixel can be formed by ink jet unit x, and at the location of pixels x at (M+2) row and (M+3) row, pixel can be formed by ink jet unit (x+1).
Selectively, capable and (M+2) capable location of pixels x at M, pixel can be formed by ink jet unit x, and at (M+3) row and (M+5) capable location of pixels x, pixel can be formed by ink jet unit (x+1).
(2) according to embodiment, with the control signal of J=2 as a J position; Selectively, can use J=3 or larger control signal.Figure place by increasing control signal is in order to form a loop, and yawing moment further increases.
(3) according to embodiment, thereby because the electric current of one of heating resistor 32 by will be in two and another difference are come and produced the time difference of ink droplet boiling (Bubble formation); The present invention is not limited thereto, arranges to have the heating resistor in two 32 of same resistance, and can distinguish the timing by electric current.For example, can be individually in two heating resistor 32 arranges switch, and by open switch with the time difference, so just can produce the time difference of the Bubble formation of each heating resistor 32 curing ink.In addition, also can accomplish to distinguish the combination of passing through the timing of electric current by electric current and the differentiation of each heating resistor 32.
(4) according to embodiment, heating resistor 32 dichotomous is set ink chamber 21 is interior; The present invention is not limited thereto, in an ink chamber 21, can arrange three or more heating resistors 32 (power generation parts).Equally, a heating resistor is made by a undivided main body, it is essentially one " it " word (switch-back) shape (being essentially U-shaped) in top view, an electric conductor (electrode) is connected to the fold back portion of "the" shape shape, and the fold back portion of major part by the "the" shape shape of be used for spraying like this power generation unit of ink droplet is divided at least two; With in major part at least one power generation and another major part at least one difference come, thereby control the deflection of ink droplet injection direction.
(5) according to embodiment, as pattern of fever power generation parts, heating resistor 32 is as example; Selectively, a heater block can be formed by the material except resistor.Equally, can use any other power generation parts, be not limited to heating member.For example, can be an electrostatic spraying system and a piezoelectric system.
Electrostatic spraying type power generation parts are provided with an oscillating plate and two electrodes that are positioned on this oscillating plate and an interval is arranged betwixt.A voltage is applied between two electrodes, in order to deflect down oscillating plate, then, voltage is adjusted to 0V, so that release electrostatic.At this moment, by the elastic force that utilizes one to produce, thereby spray ink droplet when oscillating plate returns to initial position.
In the case, because provide power generation poor between the power generation parts, so when oscillating plate returns to initial position (by voltage is adjusted to 0V and release electrostatic), can provide the time difference between two power generation parts, or magnitude of voltage can be different and impose on two power generation parts.
Same piezoelectric energy production part is the laminar product of a piezoelectric elements, and it has and is formed on two lip-deep electrode and an oscillating plate.When voltage imposes on two lip-deep electrodes of piezoelectric elements, produce a bending moment by piezo-electric effect, so that the deflection oscillating plate on oscillating plate.By utilizing this deflection, spray ink droplet.
Equally in the case, in the same manner as described above, because provide power generation poor between the power generation parts, so when a voltage imposes on two lip-deep electrodes of piezoelectric elements, can provide the time difference between two power generation parts, or magnitude of voltage can be distinguished mutually and it is imposed on two power generation parts.
(6) according to embodiment, be used for printhead 31 and the line head 33 conduct demonstrations of printer; Yet the present invention is not limited to printer, can be applied on various liquid injection apparatus.For example, can be applied to a kind of injection apparatus, this device is used for spraying a kind of device that contains the solution of DNA for detection of biomaterial.
As mentioned above, according to embodiment, it is minimum that the skew on the ink droplet landing positions can be reduced to, thereby improved picture quality.Equally, the signal processing that is used for the injection execution is also uncomplicated, and signal is processed and can be simplified like this.
In addition, if its injection direction of ink jet unit in advance with other ink jet unit not point-blank, like this when arranging when having the pixel of a plurality of grades, even not deflection of the injection direction correction of this ink jet unit, departing from of some landing positions is also to allow and imperceptible.

Claims (6)

1. liquid jet method comprises following steps:
Replenish a liquid chamber with liquid, this chamber forms corresponding to the nozzle of atomizing of liquids; With
By a pulse signal being provided for the injection power generation parts be positioned at described chamber, the liquid that is contained in described liquid chamber is ejected from nozzle with the form of a continuous drop group,
Wherein, the emitted dose of each drop the described drop group by described pulse signal from described nozzle to a landing point continuous injection be fix or be approximately a constant, it is corresponding to the predetermined frequency band of a 1KHz to the pulse signal of 10KHz, and be controlled at changeably in described frequency band by the driving frequency with described pulse signal and come atomizing of liquids, and
The vacuum degree that the surface of the liquid in the vacuum degree that imposes on the liquid in described liquid chamber in the predetermined frequency band of described pulse signal and described nozzle is not pulled described liquid chamber is identical.
2. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, the amount of liquid of additional described liquid chamber is identical with the drop amount that the predetermined frequency band with described pulse signal ejects from described nozzle.
3. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, the drop group that ejects from described nozzle is promoted by the bubble that the liquid in the described liquid chamber of heating produces.
4. liquid injection apparatus comprises:
A jet element has one and is used for from wherein ejecting the nozzle of liquid;
A liquid chamber that forms corresponding to described nozzle;
Spray the power generation parts, it is positioned at described liquid chamber, be used for producing the liquid that will be contained in described liquid chamber with the form of drop group from described nozzle ejection energy out; With
Pulse signal generating means, for generation of a pulse signal that offers described injection power generation parts,
Wherein, the emitted dose of each drop the described drop group from described nozzle to a landing point continuous injection be fix or be approximately a constant, it is corresponding to the predetermined frequency band of a 1KHz to the pulse signal of 10KHz, and be controlled at changeably in described frequency band by the driving frequency with described pulse signal and come atomizing of liquids, and
Described liquid injection apparatus also comprises the negative pressure production part, and its vacuum degree that applies is identical with the vacuum degree that the surface that makes the liquid in described nozzle in the predetermined frequency band of described pulse signal is not pulled described liquid chamber.
5. device according to claim 4, is characterized in that, the height of described liquid chamber forms and can replenish the identical liquid of drop emitted dose that ejects with predetermined frequency band with described pulse signal from described nozzle.
6. device according to claim 4, is characterized in that, described injection power generation parts are used for producing bubble and promoting and atomizing of liquids from described nozzle by the liquid that heating is contained in described liquid chamber.
CN 200610059638 2002-11-13 2003-11-13 Liquid-ejecting method and liquid-ejecting apparatus Expired - Fee Related CN1824504B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

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JP2002329853A JP4036082B2 (en) 2002-11-13 2002-11-13 Liquid ejection device
JP329853/2002 2002-11-13
JP348147/2002 2002-11-29
JP2002348147A JP4318448B2 (en) 2002-11-29 2002-11-29 Liquid ejection method and liquid ejection apparatus

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