EP0478781B1 - Verfahren zum orten eines temperatursensors auf einem tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopfsubstrat - Google Patents
Verfahren zum orten eines temperatursensors auf einem tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopfsubstrat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0478781B1 EP0478781B1 EP91904346A EP91904346A EP0478781B1 EP 0478781 B1 EP0478781 B1 EP 0478781B1 EP 91904346 A EP91904346 A EP 91904346A EP 91904346 A EP91904346 A EP 91904346A EP 0478781 B1 EP0478781 B1 EP 0478781B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- temperature
- discharging
- ink
- heater
- heaters
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/04528—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits aiming at warming up the head
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/04563—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits detecting head temperature; Ink temperature
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/04573—Timing; Delays
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
- B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
- B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
- B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
- B41J2/0458—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a board for an ink-jet recording head or more particularly to a board for an ink-jet recording head of the type in which an electro-thermal energy converting element or elements are used as energy generating means for ink discharging, a recording head fabricated by using the board and a recording apparatus equipped with the recording head.
- the ink-jet recording head of the type described above has been attracting special attention because discharging orifices for discharging recording ink as droplets for example can be arrayed at an extremely high density so that the recording with a high degree of resolution can be obtained; because it is rather simple to fabricate the whole recording head which is compact in size; because the IC technology which has made remarkable advance and are highly reliable in the fabrication of the semiconductor devices and microscopic components can be fully utilized in the fabrication of the recording heads so that a long array of discharging orifices and a flat array (two-dimensioned) of discharging orifices can be easily fabricated, whereby many discharging orifices can be assembled into a recording head at a high degree of density; and because the fabrication of the recording heads, therefore, can be made with a high degree of yield and at less costs.
- Fig. 1 illustrates the construction of one of the recording heads of the type described above.
- a heater board 27 which comprises electro-thermal converting elements or heaters for ink discharging (to be referred to as “discharging heaters” hereinafter) 29 and wires 28 made of aluminum for supplying the electric power to the electro-thermal converting elements 29 is fabricated on the surface of a silicon substrate by a thin film forming process.
- a top plate 30 which has a plurality of partition walls for defining a plurality of liquid paths 25 is bonded to the heater board 27, whereby an ink-jet recording head can be fabricated.
- a recording liquid (ink) is supplied through a supply inlet formed on the top plate 30 into a common liquid chamber 23 and then supplied to each liquid path 25.
- the heater 29 When the heater 29 is energized, the ink filled in each of the liquid paths 25 generates bubbles so that an ink droplet is discharged from a discharging orifice 26.
- the recording head used in the ink-jet recording system frequently becomes unable to discharge the liquid droplets.
- the thermal energy is used to discharge the liquid droplets so that the temperature of the recording head tends to rise.
- the thermal energy generated by the discharging heaters is stored within the head so that its temperature rises higher than 150°C with the result of the breakdown of the recording head.
- the top plate 30 is in general fabricated by molding a suitable resin so that the top plate 30 starts its deformation at a temperature of the order of 120 °C.
- thermal energy is accumulated at one or more portions of the discharging heaters due to a long recording period, recording conditions and the like so that the temperature of the recording head sometimes rises in excess of its normal operation temperature.
- the heater board 27 is equipped with a plurality of heating elements or discharging heaters so that in order to dissipate heat, for instance an aluminum plate is securely bonded to the heater board 27.
- the heat dissipating plate is equipped with one or more temperature sensors such as thermistors or the like in the vicinity of the heater board 27 so that in response to the outputs of the temperature sensors the temperature of the recording head is controllable.
- the difference in temperature exists between the heater board 27 and especially the portions in the vicinity of the discharging heaters 29 and the positions at which the temperature sensors are disposed, and furthermore the transmission of heat through the aluminum plate of course takes time with the result of the time delay of heat transmission so that the correct and quick countermeasure cannot be carried out.
- variations in concentration or tone of the recorded images occur.
- breakdown of the recording head may occur due to an abnormal temperature rise during the interruption of the ink discharge.
- the temperature of ink is one of the very important factors to be taken into consideration in view of attaining a high grade recording.
- the reason is that the physical properties of a recording ink such as its surface tension, a degree of viscosity and the like vary in response to its temperature and as a result the quantity of discharged ink and the supply rate of the ink vary.
- means for maintaining the temperature of the recording liquid within a predetermined range is required in addition to means used for preventing the abnormal temperature rise, so that some recording systems are equipped with suitable heating means, that is, one or more heaters for warming the recording head at the predetermined range (to be referred to as “warming heaters” hereinafter).
- the temperature sensors and the heaters must be disposed independently so that their costs and the costs for assembling them become expensive and consequently the recording heads themselves also become expensive.
- a further problem is that it is next to impossible to control the temperature gradient within the heater board once it happens.
- the temperature sensors and warming heaters for maintaining the temperature of the heater board within a predetermined temperature range be disposed integrally over the heater board.
- the temperature sensors and the heaters are disposed in the vicinity of the discharging heaters so that temperature control with a high degree of accuracy and response is expected to be carried out.
- the positional relationships between the discharging heaters, the warming heaters for warming the recording head and the temperature sensors have not been so far taken into consideration so that no countermeasure against the temperature distribution which varies rapidly within the heater board can be taken.
- the temperatures of the discharging heaters which mostly influence the recording liquid discharging characteristics are dependent upon the heat from the warming heaters which are statically controlled and the temperature changes caused by the discharging heaters themselves whose heat generation dynamically changes. That is, the temperatures of the discharging heaters are dependent upon the complicated combinations of the thermal energy generated by both the discharging and warming heaters.
- the stabilized recording liquid discharging characteristics cannot be assured only by the control for maintaining the temperature within a predetermined range in response to the outputs from the temperature sensors whose positions are not taken into consideration in design and construction.
- a primary concern of the present invention is to carry out the temperature control at a high degree of accuracy, response and stability by suitably determining the positions of temperature sensors.
- one or more temperature sensor element/s is/are suitably disposed at an optimum position/s with respect to the predetermined heat generating element and the or each heating element so that the difference in time between the time when temperature changes occur and the time when such temperature changes are detected can be eliminated or is made substantially negligible so that control can be improved.
- Fig. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment illustrating an ink-jet recording head board or heater board in accordance with the present invention which can be applied to the recording head described above with reference to Fig. 1 in practice.
- a heater board 1 comprises a substrate made of the same material (for instance, Si) and uniform in thickness and a discharging heater array 3 which has a group of discharging heaters and is formed on the substrate together with the discharging heaters 5 and their wires 6.
- reference numeral 5c represents a discharging heater disposed at the center, or most closely adjacent thereto, of the discharging heater array 3.
- Warming heaters 8a and 8b maintain the temperature of a head within a predetermined range and are disposed symmetrically about the center axis Z-Z1 of the heater board coaxial with the discharging heater 5c.
- Reference numerals 2a and 2b represent temperature sensors, respectively.
- the temperature at the center point of the heater is substantially an average temperature within the discharging heaters and the warming heaters so that in the first embodiment, the centers of the heaters 5c, 8a and 8b are defined as reference points, respectively, and the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed at the midpoints, respectively, of the lines Y-Ya and Y-Yb joining the centers of the discharging heater 5c and the warming heater 8a and between the centers of the discharging heater 5c and the warming heater 8b.
- Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate, on an enlarged scale, two examples of the temperature sensors 2a and 2b.
- the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are formed by a suitable thin film forming process used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices, so that each of them has a high degree of accuracy.
- the temperature sensor shown in Fig. 3A can be formed from a material such as aluminum, titanium, tantalum, tantalum pentaoxide, niobium and the like which are materials for forming other components and whose electric conductivity varies in response to the temperature.
- aluminum is a material used to form electrodes
- titanium is a material which can be interposed between a heat generating resistance layer and an electrode which are assembled to form an electro-thermal converting element in order to increase the bonding strength between them
- tantalum is a material which can cover a protective layer on the heat generating resistance layer in order to increase the cavitation-proof capability of the protective layer.
- their width is selected to be greater and in order to minimize the adverse influence of electric wires and the like, they are patterned in a zig-zag form, thereby increasing the resistance.
- Fig. 3B illustrates another example of the temperature sensor 2 which is a diode fabricated by a thin film forming process.
- Reference numerals 2X and 2Y represent an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, respectively.
- the diode is surrounded by an isolation zone 2Z.
- the warming heaters 8a and 8b can be fabricated by using the same material, for instance HfB2, of the heat generating resistance layer, but it is to be understood that they can also formed by using one of the materials such as aluminum, tantalum, titanium and the like which are used to fabricate the heater board.
- Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C schematically illustrate time periods required for the transmission of heat to the position of the temperature sensors on the lines joining the discharging heater array 3 and the warming heaters 8a and 8b.
- Fig. 4A illustrates a change with time of temperature (A) by the heat which is transmitted from the warming heater 8a or 8b to the temperature sensor, and a change with time of temperature (B) by the heat which is transmitted from the discharging heater to the temperature sensor 8a or 8b, when the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed in the vicinity of the warming heaters 8a and 8b, respectively.
- Fig. 4A illustrates a change with time of temperature (A) by the heat which is transmitted from the warming heater 8a or 8b to the temperature sensor
- B change with time of temperature
- FIG. 4B illustrates temperature changes (A) and (B) with time, when the temperature sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the discharging heater array 3, and
- FIG. 4C illustrates temperature changes (A) and (B) with time when the sensors are disposed at the midpoints of the lines joining the discharging heater array 3 and the warming heaters 8a and 8b.
- the temperature sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the warming heaters 8a and 8b, respectively, so that they detect the heat quickly and then detect, after a time delay of ⁇ t1, the heat transmitted from the discharging heater array which is generated at the same time when the heat is generated by the warming heaters.
- the temperature sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the discharging heater array 3 so that they first detect the heat transmitted from the discharging heater array 3 and then detect, after a time delay of ⁇ t2, the heat transmitted from the warming heaters 8a and 8b which is generated at the same time when the heat is generated by the discharging heater array 3.
- the temperature sensors are disposed at the positions where the heat from the discharging heater array 3 and the heat from the warming heaters 8a and 8b reach substantially at the same time so that the above-mentioned time delay is eliminated and consequently it becomes possible to carry out the satisfactory detection of the temperature of the head.
- more than tens to hundreds heaters like the discharging heaters 5 are arrayed on the heater board 1 as needs demand.
- Two warming heaters are disposed at the right and left sides, respectively, of the heater board 1. These heaters rise to considerably high temperatures, respectively, when they are energized.
- the temperature of the warming heater rises as high as about 90°C and the temperature of the discharging heater rises as high as about 200°C when the discharge of the ink is intercepted. Furthermore, the temperature gradient is very steep and the time constant is small.
- the recording in the case of the ink-jet recording system, in order to improve the ink discharge efficiency, it is effective that the recording is carried out in the condition that the temperature of the heater board 1 or the discharging heater array 3 is relatively high. The reason is that when the recording liquid is ejected at high temperature, the satisfactory ink discharge quantity and velocity is assured even when the power consumption is small.
- the recording is carried out while the portion of the discharging heater array or thereabout are maintained within a suitable temperature range.
- the temperature sensors are disposed in the vicinity of the discharging heater array 3, they are greatly influenced from the side of the discharging heater array.
- the temperature sensors detect such too high temperature, there is a fear that a suitable warming mode cannot be maintained.
- the temperature sensors are disposed closer to the warming heaters, they are greatly influenced by the warming heaters so that there is a fear that the temperature of the discharging heater array cannot be maintained in a stabilized state.
- the ink discharging duty of each of discharging heaters varies depending upon an image to be recorded so that local temperature differences result.
- the concentration or density difference of a recorded pattern result, thereby causing the degradation of the recorded pattern.
- the temperatures of the discharging heater array 3 is defined by the temperature of the discharging heater 5c. That is, when the temperature of the discharging heater 5c is selected as a reference temperature, in the normal recording mode, it is possible to control with less errors the temperatures of the discharging heater groups of the discharging heater array 3.
- the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed at the midpoints, respectively, of the lines joining the discharging heater 5c on the one hand and the warming heaters 8a and 8b on the other hand.
- the substrate of the heater board 1 is substantially uniform in thickness so that a time required for heat from the warming heaters 8a or 8b to reach the corresponding midpoint, when only the warming heater 8a or 8b is energized, is equal to a time required for heat from the discharging heater 5c is energized. In other words, a time which the influence of the temperature change at each of the heaters requires to reach the corresponding midpoint is equal.
- a curve A represent the temperature distribution along the axis Y-Yb (or Y-Ya) joining between the discharging heater 5c and the warming heater (or 8a).
- the temperature sensor 2b (or 2a) is disposed at the midpoint of the axis joining the portion of the discharging heater 5c at which the average temperature of the discharging heater array 3 is detected and the warming heater 8b (or 8a) so that a time required for the heat from the discharging heater 5c to reach the sensor is equal to a time required for the heat from the warming heater 8b (or 8a) to reach the sensor.
- the positional relationship between each of the temperature sensors and each of the warming heaters is suitably determined so that it becomes possible to carry out the open loop control for the temperature change of the discharging heaters, and to carry out the feedback control of the warming heaters for warming the heater board.
- the ink discharging characteristics it becomes possible to control the ink discharging characteristics to be constant. It follows therefore that the problems that the recorded pattern or the like becomes too thin and the variations in tone of the recorded pattern or the like result can be made substantially negligible or almost eliminated.
- the temperature of the discharging heater 5c disposed at the center or in the vicinity thereof of the discharging heater array 3 represents the average temperature of the array 3 and the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed at the midpoints, respectively, of the lines joining the center of the discharging heater 5c on the on hand and the warming heater 8a and 8b on the other hand.
- the recording time is long, or a pattern is recorded with a high degree of resolution or a broad head with a large number of discharging orifices is used, the position of each of the temperature sensors may deviate from the above-mentioned lines joining the centers of the heaters.
- Fig. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in which the sensors are deviated from the lines.
- Fig. 6 the arrangement of the discharging heater array 3, the warming heaters 8a and 8b, and the temperature sensors on the heater board is schematically illustrated at the lower portion of Fig. 6 and the temperature distribution within the discharging heater array when the warming heaters are deenergized is also schematically illustrated in the upper half portion of Fig. 6.
- the temperature of one portion of the discharging heater array 3 rises high so that there is a fear of degradation of the recording quality and deterioration of the discharging heaters 5.
- a temperature sensor is disposed in such a way that especially the temperature at the high-temperature portion of the discharging heater array 3 can be easily detected, thereby controlling the temperature within the heater board.
- n is the number of the ink discharging orifices at the high-temperature portion
- n a is the number of the discharging orifices at the high-temperature portion on the left side from the center B of the discharging heater array 3
- n b is the number of the discharging orifices at the high-temperature portion on the right side of the center B
- P is the pitch of the discharging heaters.
- each of the temperature sensors is disposed in the vicinity of the midpoint (1/2 of the distance) of the line joining the reference points of the discharging heater array 3 and each of the warming heaters, but when the reference points of the discharging heater array 3 are defined at the left end A of the high temperature portion, the center B of the discharging heater array 3 and the right end C of the high temperature portion, the midpoints of the lines joining the reference points and the warming heater (for instance 8a) are D, E and F, respectively, as shown in Fig. 6.
- the satisfactory temperature detection can be carried out at the high temperature portion by disposing the temperature sensor at the position spaced apart from the point E in opposing relationship with the center point B of the discharging heater array 3 by the distance 1/2 P n a or 1/2 P n b , respectively, on the left or right side of the point E.
- the arrangement of the temperature sensors in the longitudinal direction (that is, the direction in which the discharging heaters are arrayed) of the discharging heater array 3 has been considered, but when the shapes of the discharging heater array 3 and the warming heaters 8a and 8b, and thermal or temperature distribution in the direction different from the longitudinal direction of the array 3 are taken into consideration, the portion in which the temperature sensors are disposed is extended in the direction different from the longitudinal direction of the discharging heater array 3.
- the result of the experiments shows that such extension is less than the extension in the longitudinal direction of the discharging heater array 3.
- the temperature sensor is disposed within a circle with the radius of at least 1/2 P n b or more preferably 1/2 P n a and the point E as the center.
- the arrangement of the temperature sensors has been considered by taking the high-temperature portion of the discharging heater array 3, but in the case that a recording is carried out with a high degree of resolution or in the case that the difference between the highest and lowest temperature within the discharging heater array 3 is large, such temperature difference must be minimized as far as possible in order to prevent unevenness or shading of a recorded image.
- the temperature sensor be disposed at a reference position within a portion in which the high and low temperature portions of the discharging heater array 3 are reflected.
- Fig. 7 illustrates an arrangement of a temperature sensor in the manner described above.
- the reference position for reflecting the high and low temperature portions is not defined at the portion in which the large changing in temperature occurs, but is defined by taking the intermediate temperature portion S1 at which the temperature is between 85-55% of the temperature difference between the highest and lowest temperatures into consideration.
- the reference position is defined in the portion defined by the lines AB and DE.
- the length FG or IJ for disposing the temperature sensor in the longitudinal direction of the discharging heater array 3 become 1/2 P n a or 1/2 P n b , respectively.
- the thermal or temperature distribution in the direction different from the longitudinal direction of the discharging heater array 3 is taken into consideration so that it suffices to dispose the temperature sensor within a circle with the radius of 1/4 P n a and the midpoint of the line FG as the center or a circle with the radius 1/4 P n b and the midpoint of the line IJ as the center.
- the method for determining the position of the left temperature sensor has been explained as an example, but it is quite apparent to those skilled in the art that the same method can be used to determine the position of the right temperature sensor. Furthermore, so far the arrangement of two temperature sensors has been described, but when the temperature control is carried out especially with reference to one portion within the discharging heater array, only one temperature sensor can be used.
- the construction, type, shape, size, characteristics and the like of the temperature sensors, the warming heaters and the discharging heaters and the control characteristics may be taken into consideration. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the center of each temperature sensor is coincident with the midpoint explained above.
- the temperature sensor may be disposed not only at such midpoint but also another position which is spaced apart from the discharging and warming heaters by substantially the same distance; that is, a position on a perpendicular bisector, or a position in the vicinity thereof, of a line joining the discharging and warming heaters.
- the substrate of the heater board 1 is not uniform in thickness so that the influences of the temperature changes at the discharging and warming heaters do not reach at the same time the position spaced apart from the discharging and warming heaters by the same distance, a suitable position which satisfies the above-mentioned condition can be selected.
- the discharging heater at the above-mentioned point can be selected as one reference heater.
- the senor 2 may be a transistor if the transistors can be formed simultaneously with the thin film processing of the heater board and it is not needed to form them simultaneously with the other devices.
- Fig. 8 schematically illustrates an electric circuit pattern defined on the board for the recording-head (the heater board) in accordance with the present invention.
- each of the temperature sensors 2a and 2b is disposed at the position which is equally spaced apart from a suitable discharging heater (for instance, the discharging heater 5c) and each of the warming heaters 8a and 8b in terms of the heat transmission time described above, or at the position at which the temperature control of the discharging heaters can be satisfactorily controlled.
- a suitable discharging heater for instance, the discharging heater 5c
- the warming heaters 8a and 8b in terms of the heat transmission time described above, or at the position at which the temperature control of the discharging heaters can be satisfactorily controlled.
- laterally extended wires as upper circuits of Al disposed on lower circuits of Al(not shown) with an insulating layer interposed therebetween.
- the temperature sensors 2a and 2b described in detail with reference to Figs.
- 3A or 3B are formed by the same fabrication step in such a way that the temperature sensors 2a and 2b do not interfere with the upper laterally extended circuit wires 9 of Al with result that they are disposed at the desired positions, respectively. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the temperature sensors 2a and 2b can be disposed at their desired positions, respectively, without forming an insulating layer over the laterally extended circuit wires as a result, it becomes possible to detect the temperature of the heater board with a higher degree of accuracy.
- reference numeral 10 represents a driving unit which has diodes or the like for driving the discharging heaters 5.
- the driving unit 10 and the wires 6 for the discharging heaters are connected to a matrix circuit consisting of the upper wires 9 and the lower wires.
- the heater board 27 instead of the heater board 27 described above with reference to Fig. 1, the heater board with the above-described construction is used to fabricate a recording head, and by using such the recording head, an ink-jet recording apparatus is constructed shown in Fig. 9.
- reference numeral 14 denotes a head cartridge which is a unitary construction comprising the recording head fabricated by using the heater board 1 in accordance with the present invention and an ink supply source or tank.
- the head cartridge 14 is securely mounted on a carriage 15 by a retaining member 41 and is reciprocally movable on shafts 21 in the lengthwise direction.
- the ink discharged from the recording head flies to reach the surface of a recording medium 18 which is spaced apart from the recording head by a very small distance and whose recording surface is maintained by a platen 19 so that a pattern is recorded on the recording medium 18.
- the discharge signals are transmitted from a suitable data supply source depending upon a pattern to be recorded through a cable 16 and terminals of the driving unit 10 to which is connected the cable 16.
- the outputs representative of the detected temperatures are delivered from the recording head to a control unit to be described, below through the terminals of the temperature sensors 2a and 2b, and through the cable 16.
- the temperature control signal are transmitted from the control unit through the cable 16 to terminals of the warming heaters 8a and 8b.
- reference numeral 17 indicates a carriage motor for reciprocally moving the carriage 15 along the shafts 21; 22, an endless wire for transmitting the driving force produced by the carriage motor 17 to the carriage 15; and 20, a feed motor connected to a platen roller 19 so as to transport the recording medium 18.
- Fig. 10 illustrates one of the examples of the temperature control systems which operates in response to the outputs from the temperature sensors 2a and 2b, and controls the heaters 8a and 8 described above with reference to Fig. 2.
- the components connected to the temperature sensors 2a and 2b and the warming heaters 8a and 8b may be disposed on a control board of the recording apparatus and connected to the terminals (not shown) of the heater board 1 through the cable 16.
- Reference numeral 11 represents a CPU in the form of a microcomputer in order to execute a control sequence to be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 11 and includes a ROM storing therein predetermined data such as a program for carrying out the control sequence.
- the CPU 11 can be provided in order to independently execute the temperature control of the recording head in accordance with the present invention. Alternately, it can be also used as a main control unit not only in the apparatus shown in Fig. 9 but also in apparatus as to be described hereinafter with reference to Fig. 13 or 14.
- Reference numeral 31 denotes an input unit which energizes selectively the temperature sensors 2a and 2b under the control of CPU 11 so as to derive therefrom the outputs representative of the detected temperatures and convert the outputs thus obtained into the signal which CPU 11 can process; and 32 , a heater driver for selectively energizing the warming heaters 8a and 8b.
- the heater board 1 has a large number of heat generating elements so that it is made into close contact with a plate made of aluminum or the like. But there are differences in temperature among the discharging heaters 5, other portions (for instance, the positions of the temperature sensors 2a and 2b) and the aluminum plate. In addition, the temperature changes of these components and portions are different in time and a time delay occurs on the aluminum plate during the transient period of the temperature rise curve.
- the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed on the heater board 1 as shown in Fig. 2, 6 or 7 so that the temperature detection with a higher degree of accuracy becomes possible.
- Fig. 11 illustrates one example of the temperature control process in accordance with the present invention.
- the warming heaters 8a and 8b are individually and independently controlled in response to the outputs from the temperature sensors 2a and 2b respectively, in such a way that the temperatures at the positions at which the temperature sensors 2a and 2b are disposed can be maintained within the range from T 1 - T 2 (T 1 ⁇ T 2 ), so that the discharging heater array 3 can be maintained within the optimum ink discharging temperature; that is, within the control range shown in Fig. 12.
- Fig. 12 illustrates the temperature distributions of a portion between the discharging heater array 3 and the warming heater 8a or 8b in the case of the recording mode. The temperature is so controlled that the discharging heater array 3 can be maintained within predetermined temperature range.
- the ON/OFF operations of the warming heaters 8a and 8b are so controlled that the temperatures of the sensors which are dependent upon the temperature A which in turn is dependent on the heat produced by the discharging heaters, can be maintained within the temperature range (T 1 - T 2 ).
- the heat produced by the discharging heaters can be detected in accordance with the driving outputs given to them.
- the control sequence shown in Fig. 11 can be started at a suitable timing.
- the control sequence is started, the output from the sensor 2a is detected in Step S1 and the detection whether the detected temperature T is higher than or equal to the temperature T 2 or not takes place in Step S3.
- the control process proceeds to the Step S5.
- Step S5 detects whether the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 2a is lower than or equal to the temperature T 1 .
- Step S5 When the result of the detection made in Step S5 is No or when the result of the detection made in Step S3 is YES, the heater 8a is deenergized in Step S7. When the result of the detection made in Step S5 is YES, the heater 8a is energized in the Step S9.
- Step S11 in which in response to the output from the temperature sensor 2b, the ON/OFF operation of the heater 8b is carried out in a manner substantially similar to steps from S1 to S9 described above.
- the present invention achieves distinct effect when applied to a recording head or a recording apparatus which has means for generating thermal energy such as electrothermal transducers or laser light, and which causes changes in the ink by the thermal energy so as to eject ink. This is because such a system can achieve a high density and high resolution recording.
- the on-demand type apparatus has electrothermal transducers, each disposed on a sheet or liquid passage that retains liquid (ink), and operates as follows: first, one or more drive signals are applied to the electrothermal transducers to cause thermal energy correspondent to recording information; second, the thermal energy induces sudden temperature rise that exceeds the nucleate boiling so as to cause the film boiling on heating portions of the recording head; and third, bubbles are grown in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signals. By using the growth and collapse of the bubbles, the ink is expelled from at least one of the ink ejection orifices of the head to form one or more ink drops.
- the drive signal in the form of a pulse is preferable because the growth and collapse of the bubbles can be achieved instantaneously and suitably by this form of drive signal.
- a drive signal in the form of a pulse those described in U.S. patent Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are preferable.
- the rate of temperature rise of the heating portions described in U.S. patent No. 4,313,124 be adopted to achieve better recording.
- U.S. patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 disclose the following structure of a recording head, which is incorporated to the present invention: this structure includes heating portions disposed on bent portions in addition to a combination of the ejection orifices, liquid passages and the electrothermal transducers disclosed in the above patents. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to structures disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 123670/1984 and 138461/1984 in order to achieve similar effects.
- the former discloses a structure in which a slit common to all the thermoelectric transducers is used as ejection orifices of the electrothermal transducers, and the latter discloses a structure in which openings for absorbing pressure waves caused by thermal energy are formed corresponding to the ejection orifices.
- the present invention can be also applied to a so-called full-line type recording head whose length equals the maximum length across a recording medium.
- a recording head may consist of a plurality of recording heads combined together, or one integrally arranged recording head.
- the present invention can be applied to various serial type recording heads: a recording head fixed to the main assembly of a recording apparatus; a conveniently replaceable chip type recording head which, when loaded on the main assembly of a recording apparatus, is electrically connected to the main assembly, and is supplied with ink therefrom; and a cartridge type recording head integrally including an ink reservoir.
- a recovery system or a preliminary auxiliary system for a recording head as a constituent of the recording apparatus because they serve to make the effect of the present invention more reliable.
- the recovery system are a capping means and a cleaning means for the recording head, and a pressure or suction means for the recording head.
- the preliminary auxiliary system are a preliminary heating means utilizing electrothermal transducers or a combination of other heater elements and the electrothermal transducers, and a means for carrying out preliminary ejection of ink independently of the ejection for recording. These systems are effective for reliable recording.
- the number and type of recording heads to be mounted on a recording apparatus can be also changed. For example, only one recording head corresponding to a single color ink, or a plurality of recording heads corresponding to a plurality of inks different in color or concentration can be used.
- the present invention can be effectively applied to an apparatus having at least one of the monochromatic, multi-color and full-color modes.
- the monochromatic mode performs recording by using only one major color such as black.
- the multi-color mode carries out recording by using different color inks, and the full-color mode performs recording by color mixing.
- inks that are liquid when the recording signal is applied can be used: for example, inks can be employed that solidify at a temperature lower than the room temperature and are softened or liquefied in the room temperature. This is because in the ink jet system, the ink is generally temperature adjusted in a range of 30°C - 70°C so that the viscosity of the ink is maintained at such a value that the ink can be ejected reliably.
- the present invention can be applied to such apparatus where the ink is liquefied just before the ejection by the thermal energy as follows so that the ink is expelled from the orifices in the liquid state, and then begins to solidify on hitting the recording medium, thereby preventing the ink evaporation: the ink is transformed from solid to liquid state by positively utilizing the thermal energy which would otherwise cause the temperature rise; or the ink, which is dry when left in air, is liquefied in response to the thermal energy of the recording signal.
- the ink may be retained in recesses or through holes formed in a porous sheet as liquid or solid substances so that the ink faces the electrothermal transducers as described in Japanese Patent Application Laying-open Nos. 56847/1979 or 71260/1985.
- the present invention is most effective when it uses the film boiling phenomenon to expel the ink.
- the ink jet recording apparatus can be employed not only as an image output terminal of an information processing device such as a computer, but also as an output device of a copying machine including a reader, as an output device of a facsimile apparatus having a transmission and receiving function, and as an output device of an optical disc apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information into and/or from an optical disc.
- These apparatus require means for outputting processed information in the form of hand copy.
- Fig. 13 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a utilizing apparatus to which the ink jet recording system shown in Fig. 9 is equipped as an output means for outputting processed information.
- reference numeral 10000 schematically denotes a utilizing apparatus which can be a work station, a personal or host computer, a word processor, a copying machine, a facsimile machine or an optical disc apparatus.
- Reference numeral 11000 denotes the ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA) shown in Fig. 9.
- the ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA) 11000 receives processed information from the utilizing apparatus 10000 and provides a print output as hand copy under the control of the utilizing apparatus 10000.
- Fig. 14 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a portable printer to which a utilizing apparatus such as a work station, a personal or host computer, a word processor, a copying machine, a facsimile machine or an optical disc apparatus can be coupled.
- a utilizing apparatus such as a work station, a personal or host computer, a word processor, a copying machine, a facsimile machine or an optical disc apparatus can be coupled.
- reference numeral 10000 schematically denotes such a utilizing apparatus.
- Reference numeral 12000 schematically denotes a portable printer having the ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA) 11000 shown in Fig. 9 is incorporated thereinto and interface circuits 13000 and 14000 receiving information processed by the utilizing apparatus 10000 and various controlling data for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus 11000, including head shake and interruption control from the utilizing apparatus 10000 Such control per se is realized by conventional printer control technology.
- IJRA ink jet recording apparatus
- the temperature sensors are disposed at suitable positions, respectively, from the standpoint of the heat transmission not only from the discharging heaters but also the warming heaters so that the temperature control with a high degree of accuracy and response can be carried out in a stabilized manner.
Landscapes
- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Claims (5)
- Verfahren zum Positionieren eines Temperatursensors auf der Leiterplatte eines Tintenstrählaufzeiehnungskopfes, wobei die auf dem Substrat des Aufzeichnungskopfes angeordnete Leiterplatte aufweist:eine Vielzahl Wärme erzeugende Elemente (5) zur Erzeugung der für das Ausstoßen von Tinte aus Ausstoßöffnungen (26) erforderlichen Wärmeenergie,einen Temperatursensor (2a) zum Erfassen der Substrattemperatur undein Heizelement (8a) zum Erwärmen des Substrats, wobei das Verfahren durch folgende Schritte gekennzeichnet ist:(a) Auswahlen eines vorbestimmten Wärme erzeugenden Elements aus der Vielzahl Wärme erzeugender Elemente, welches während des Wirkens der Wärme erzeugenden Elemente die durchschnittliche Temperatur, den höchsten Temperaturbereich oder den mittleren Temperaturbereich repräsentiert, und(b) Positionieren des Temperatursensors (2a) an einer Stelle, an welcher dieser die von dem vorbestimmten Heizelement (5c) beim Erregen verursachte Temperaturänderungeh und die vom Heizelement beim Erregen verursachte Temperaturänderung im wesentlichen zum gleichen Zeitpunkt erfaßt.
- Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das ausgewählte Element in der Mitte der Reihe Wärme erzeugender Elemente (5) oder nahe dieser angeordnet ist.
- Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Temperatursensor (2a) im wesentlichen im gleichen Abstand zum ausgewählten Wärme erzeugenden Element und zum Heizelement (8a) angeordnet ist.
- Verfahren gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Temperatursensoren und die Heizelemente in gleicher Anzahl vorhanden sind.
- Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 4, wobei paarig angeordnete Temperatursensoren (2a, 2b) und paarig angeordnete Heizelemente (8a, 8b) verwendet werden.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP4252790 | 1990-02-26 | ||
JP42527/90 | 1990-02-26 | ||
JP4252790 | 1990-02-26 | ||
PCT/JP1991/000251 WO1991012966A1 (en) | 1990-02-26 | 1991-02-26 | Ink-jet recording head, substrate for said head, and ink-jet recording device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0478781A1 EP0478781A1 (de) | 1992-04-08 |
EP0478781A4 EP0478781A4 (en) | 1992-06-24 |
EP0478781B1 true EP0478781B1 (de) | 2005-12-07 |
Family
ID=35427502
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91904346A Expired - Lifetime EP0478781B1 (de) | 1990-02-26 | 1991-02-26 | Verfahren zum orten eines temperatursensors auf einem tintenstrahlaufzeichnungskopfsubstrat |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP0478781B1 (de) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATE191883T1 (de) * | 1993-05-27 | 2000-05-15 | Canon Kk | Verfahren und vorrichtung zur steuerung einer druckoperation |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0195056A (ja) * | 1987-10-07 | 1989-04-13 | Canon Inc | 記録装置 |
EP0353925A2 (de) * | 1988-07-26 | 1990-02-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Farbstrahlaufzeichnungsträgerschicht, Aufzeichnungskopf und damit versehene Vorrichtung |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS58220757A (ja) * | 1982-06-18 | 1983-12-22 | Canon Inc | 液体噴射記録装置 |
-
1991
- 1991-02-26 EP EP91904346A patent/EP0478781B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0195056A (ja) * | 1987-10-07 | 1989-04-13 | Canon Inc | 記録装置 |
EP0353925A2 (de) * | 1988-07-26 | 1990-02-07 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Farbstrahlaufzeichnungsträgerschicht, Aufzeichnungskopf und damit versehene Vorrichtung |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0478781A4 (en) | 1992-06-24 |
EP0478781A1 (de) | 1992-04-08 |
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