JP2002137383A - Ink jet recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an ink jet recorder in which high quality recording is ensured at all times by performing an appropriate ejection drive control depending on a replaced recording head. SOLUTION: An EEPROM 128 is provided on s substrate (PCB) 115 constituting a recording head and stored with driving conditions of the recording head or correction data of density variation. Use record data of the recording head, e.g. the number of print sheets and the number of times of ejection, is also stored and the driving conditions are updated depending on these record data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly, to an ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head can be used so as to be detachable from an apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a device of this type, when a recording head is detached, the recording head is mainly replaced. In such a case, the recording head to be mounted is a new unused one.

[0003] However, even when the recording head is replaced, the one to be mounted may already be used. For example, there is a case where a recording head used by another device of the same model is used, or a case where a recording head which has been removed while the device is not used for a long time is used again. In addition, the above-described case occurs in a printing apparatus that can print in various colors by using a plurality of print heads having different colors and densities of inks one by one.

[0004] As a configuration for relatively easily replacing the recording head as described above, there are a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrally formed, and a configuration in which the recording head and the ink tank can be separated from each other even if they are integrated. In recent years, this configuration is often adopted in an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0005]

In the case where the replaced recording head is already used as described above, depending on the previous use state of the recording head and the like, the recording head is not used by the apparatus main body side. In some cases, the ejection drive is not suitable and good ink ejection cannot be performed. For example,
The heat generation characteristics of the discharge heater that generates the thermal energy used for ink discharge may change due to the previous drive, or the characteristics of the discharge heater itself of the replaced print head may change. In such a case, if the apparatus main body drives the ejection heater with the same drive pulse as before, good ejection is not performed, and as a result,
In some cases, the quality of the recorded image was impaired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform appropriate ejection drive control in accordance with a replaced recording head, thereby achieving
An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of performing high-quality recording without always performing good ink ejection.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, a recording head detachably mounted to the apparatus, wherein drive history data, mounting state data, recovery processing data, A recording head that stores at least one of condition data and density unevenness correction data and has a memory capable of writing and retrieving the data; and writing or reading the data at a predetermined timing in the memory of the recording head. And a drive control means for driving the recording head based on the data read by the memory write / read means.

[0008]

According to the above configuration, by reading data from the replaced print head, the ejection drive can be performed based on the previous use state of the print head and the updated unique correction data. Thus, appropriate ejection can be performed.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of the construction of a recording head cartridge in which a recording head and the above-mentioned ink tank are integrally formed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge according to the present embodiment has an ink tank unit IT and a head unit IJU integrally, and these are detachable from each other. A wiring connector 102 for receiving a signal or the like for driving the ink ejection unit 101 of the head unit and outputting a remaining ink amount detection signal is provided at a position aligned with the head unit IJU and the ink tank unit IT. Therefore, in a posture which is taken when the cartridge is mounted on a carriage described later, the height H can be reduced and the thickness of the cartridge can be reduced. This makes it possible to make the carriage small when arranging the cartridges side by side as described later with reference to FIG.

When the head cartridge is mounted on the carriage, the knob 201 provided on the ink tank unit IT can be gripped and placed on the carriage with the ejection section 101 facing down. This knob 201
Engages with a lever provided on a carriage described later for performing the mounting operation of the cartridge. Then, at the time of mounting, the pins provided on the carriage side engage with the pin engaging portions 103 of the head unit IJU, and the head unit IJU is positioned.

In the head cartridge according to the present embodiment, an absorber 104 for wiping the surface of the ink ejection section 101 and cleaning a member for cleaning the same is arranged in parallel with the ink ejection section 101. Further, an air communication port 203 for introducing air with ink consumption is provided substantially at the center of the ink tank unit IT.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG. The head cartridge according to the present example includes:
It is composed of a head unit IJU and an ink tank unit IT.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The base for mounting the components of the head unit IJU is a base plate 111 made of Al or the like, on which an element group for generating energy used for ink ejection is formed. Substrate 1
12 and a printed circuit board (PCB) 115 having wiring and the like for supplying power to the element,
These are connected by wire bonding or the like. The substrate 112 is provided with an electrothermal conversion element that generates thermal energy that causes film boiling of the ink in response to energization. And in the following, this substrate 1
12 is called a heater board.

The above-described wiring connector 102 is a PCB 11
5, a drive signal from a control circuit (not shown) is received by the wiring connector 102, and the PCB 115
Is supplied to the heater board 112 via the. PCB11
Reference numeral 5 denotes a double-sided wiring board in this example, which is information unique to the head, for example, appropriate driving conditions of the electrothermal transducer, ID number, ink color information, driving condition correction data (head shading (HS) data), In addition to PWM control conditions,
An EEPROM 128 and a capacitor 1 which store history data of a recording head which will be described later with reference to the embodiment of the present invention.
29 are provided.

As shown, the EEPROM 128 and the capacitor 129 are connected to the base plate 1 of the PCB 115.
11 and at a position corresponding to the notch 111A of the base plate 111. As a result, when the height at the time of mounting the EEPROM or the like is equal to or less than the thickness of the base plate 111, the IC or the like does not protrude from the surface when the PCB 115 and the base plate 111 are joined. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider a storage mode corresponding to the protrusion in the manufacturing process.

On the heater board 112, there are provided a common liquid chamber for temporarily storing ink supplied from the ink tank unit IT side, and a concave portion for forming a liquid path group for communicating the liquid chamber with the discharge port. The top plate 113 is arranged. The top plate 113 is integrally formed with a discharge port forming member (orifice plate) 113A in which ink discharge ports are formed. 114 is the top plate 113 and the heater board 11
2 is a pressing spring for forming the discharge section 101 by bringing the discharge section 101 into close contact.

Reference numeral 116 denotes a head unit cover, which is an ink supply pipe 1 that enters the ink tank unit IT.
16A, an ink flow path 116B for communicating ink with the top plate-side ink introduction tube, and a base plate 111
Three pins 116C for three-point positioning or fixing to the
It is a member formed by integrally molding the pin engaging portion 103, the mounting portion of the absorber 104, and other necessary portions. A channel cover 117 is provided for the ink channel 116B. A filter 118 for removing bubbles and dust is provided at the tip of the ink supply pipe 116A, and an O-ring for preventing ink from leaking from the joint is provided.

In assembling the above head unit, the pins 111P projecting from the base plate are connected to the PCB.
Positioning is performed so as to be inserted into the through-hole 115P provided in 115, and both are fixed by bonding or the like. In fixing the two, precision is not so required. This is because the heater board 112 to be mounted on the base plate 111 with high accuracy is fixed separately from the PCB 115.

Next, the heater board 112 is precisely placed and fixed on the base plate 111, and necessary electrical connection with the PCB 115 is made. Then, the top plate 113 and the spring 114 are arranged, and after bonding and sealing are performed as necessary, positioning is performed by inserting three pins 116C protruding from the cover into the holes 111C of the base plate 111. Thereafter, the head unit is completed by thermally fusing these three pins 116C.

Ink tank unit In FIG. 2, reference numeral 211 denotes an ink container which forms the main body of the ink tank unit, 215 denotes an ink absorber for impregnating ink, 216 denotes an ink tank lid, and 212 denotes an electrode pin for detecting the remaining amount of ink. , 213 and 214 are pins 21
2 is a contact member.

The ink container 211 generally includes pins 212,
A portion 220 for mounting the contact members 213 and 214 and the above-described head unit IJU, a supply port 231 for receiving the ink supply tube 116A, and a knob 201 are integrally provided, and the bottom side in FIG. It has a hollow cylindrical portion 233 erected almost at the center. Such an ink container can be formed by integral molding of a resin.

The bottom side of the cylindrical portion 233 is opened in consideration of the ink filling process. After filling, the cap 217 shown in FIG. 2 is attached and closed to the atmosphere. On the other hand, a spiral or meandering groove 235 is provided on the upper end surface in FIG. 2 (vortex in the illustrated example), and a cylindrical portion 233 is formed at one end 235A of the groove (center of the spiral groove in the illustrated example). There is an opening communicating with the internal space.
The other end 235 </ b> B of the groove is located at the position of the atmosphere communication port 203 provided in the tank lid 216.

A plurality of (four in the illustrated example) grooves 237 are provided on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 233 at an equal angle, and communicate with the internal space of the cylindrical portion 233. As a result, communication between the inside of the ink tank unit and the atmosphere is made through the atmosphere communication port 203, the spiral groove 233, the internal space of the cylindrical portion 233, and the groove 237. And the cylindrical part 2
The internal space of 33 functions as a buffer unit for preventing ink leakage due to vibration or swing. In addition, since there is the spiral groove 233 that lengthens the path to the atmosphere communication port 203, ink leakage is more effectively prevented.

Further, since a plurality of grooves 237 are provided at equal angles on the side surface of the cylindrical portion 233 located substantially at the center of the ink tank as in this embodiment, the absorber 215 located around the periphery is provided. It is possible to secure a uniform state of balance with the atmosphere and prevent local concentration of ink in the absorber. This can also ensure smooth ink supply to the absorber compression area (around the supply port 231) described later.

Note that the groove 237 extends below the center of the thickness of the container and is provided over a range completely including the range A where the supply port 231 exists. In addition, it is formed in a range in which the position of the remaining amount detection pin 212 is also taken into consideration, thereby ensuring a uniform ink presence state or air communication state around the pin existing portion, and improving the accuracy of the remaining amount detection. be able to.

The ink impregnating absorber 215 according to the present embodiment is provided with a hole 215A for receiving the insertion of the cylindrical portion 233. By arranging the tubular portion 233 in the hole 215A, the absorber 215 is not compressed by the tubular portion 233, and no ink remains in the compressed portion where the negative pressure is high. On the other hand, the absorber 21 according to the present example
5 has a shape in which the portion located at the supply port 231 is slightly swelled with respect to the shape of the space formed by the ink tank lid 216 and the ink container 211 (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2). Thus, when the absorber 215 is stored in the ink tank unit, the expanded portion is in a compressed state, so that the absorber 215 has a high negative pressure at that portion, and thus supplies ink smoothly. Mouth 23
It can be introduced to one side.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus using the above recording head cartridge. This apparatus is a full-color serial printer having a replaceable ink tank integrated recording head cartridge corresponding to four black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks as described above. Type of printer. The head used in this printer has a resolution of 400 dpi, a driving frequency of 4 KHz, and has 128 ejection ports.

In FIG. 3, IJC is Y, M, C, Bk
And four recording head cartridges corresponding to the respective inks, in which a recording head and an ink tank storing ink for supplying ink to the recording head are integrally formed. Each recording head cartridge IJC is detachably mounted on the carriage by a configuration (not shown). Carriage 82
Are slidably engaged along the guide shaft 811 and
Drive belt 85 moved by a main scanning motor (not shown)
2 and a part of it. Thus, the recording head cartridge IJC can be moved for scanning along the guide shaft 811. Reference numerals 815, 816 and 817, 818 denote conveying rollers extending substantially parallel to the guide shaft 811 on the back side and the near side in the drawing of the recording area scanned by the recording head cartridge IJC. Transport rollers 815, 8
16 and 817 and 818 are driven by a sub-scanning motor (not shown) to convey the recording medium P. The transported recording medium P forms a recording surface facing the surface of the recording head cartridge IJC on which the ejection port surface is provided.

A recovery system unit is provided facing a movable area of the cartridge IJC adjacent to a recording area of the recording head cartridge IJC. In the recovery unit, reference numeral 8300 denotes a cap unit provided corresponding to each of a plurality of cartridges IJC having a recording head. The cap unit 8300 is slidable in the horizontal direction in FIG. It is possible. When the carriage 82 is at the home position, the carriage 82 is joined to the recording head and capped. In the recovery system unit, reference numeral 8401 denotes a blade as a wiping member.

Further, 8500 is a cap unit 83
This is a pump unit for absorbing ink and the like from the discharge port of the recording head and its vicinity via the reference numeral 00.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the remaining amount of ink and the measured resistance value when a constant current is applied to the residual detection pins 212 and 212 in the ink tank.

When the measured resistance value R is larger than a predetermined threshold value, the user is notified that the remaining ink amount is low by, for example, turning on a lamp assuming that the remaining ink amount is small.

The printing method of this embodiment using the above-described apparatus will be described below.

In this embodiment, the recording head driving method and the printing method are characterized. A driving method that uses a divided pulse and modulates the pulse width is used for driving the recording head.
FIG. 5 shows the divided pulses. In the figure, V _OP indicates a drive voltage, P ₁ indicates a preheat pulse, P ₂ indicates an interval time, and P ₃ indicates a main heat pulse. T ₁ ,
T ₂ and T ₃ indicate times for determining the widths of the pulses P ₁ , P ₂ and P ₃ . V _OP constitutes electric energy necessary for generating thermal energy used for ejection, and is determined by the area, resistance value, film structure of the ejection heater, and the structure of the ink path in which the ejection heater is provided.

The divided pulse width modulation driving method includes P ₁ , P ₂ , P
₃ sequentially pulsed on for mainly controlling the ink temperature within the ink path in the pre-heat pulse P _1. That is, to control the pulse width of the preheat pulse P ₁ in response to using the temperature sensor of the recording head detected temperature. However, this pulse P ₁
To prevent the foaming phenomenon from occurring. Interval time P ₂ may serve to equalize the temperature distribution for the pre-heat pulse P ₁ and a main heat pulse P ₃ is provided a predetermined time interval so as not to mutually interfere, and the ink path in the ink. The main heat pulse P ₃ generates a foaming phenomenon is for ejecting Inkku droplet from the discharge port.

The recording head of this embodiment has a structure as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
It is formed on a substrate 5 made of silicon or the like, and generates thermal energy when the above-mentioned divided pulse is applied thereto. This heat energy acts on the ink in the ink path 2 to change the temperature thereof and generate bubbles to cause the ink to be ejected from the ejection port 3.

In an environment where the head temperature T _H = 25.0 (° C.), when V _OP = 18.0 (V), the width of P ₁ = 1.867.
(.Mu.sec), given a pulse width of P ₃ = 4.114 (μsec), stable ink discharge state becomes optimal driving conditions can be obtained. The discharge characteristics at this time are as follows: ink discharge amount V _D = 30.0 ng / dot, discharge speed V = 12.0
m / sec. Incidentally, the maximum driving frequency of the recording head is fr = 4.0 kHz, has a resolution of 400 dpi, and divides 128 ejection openings into 16 blocks and sequentially drives each block.

A description will now be given of the ejection amount control using the pre-heat pulse P _1.

[0040] The relationship between the preheat pulse P ₁ and the ejection amount V _D in the head temperature (T _H) certain conditions, shown in Fig.

The increase in the pulse width of the preheat pulse P ₁ as shown in figure, to the pulse width P _1LMT increases linearly, subsequent foaming of the main heat pulse P ₃ is disturbed occurs a prefoaming phenomenon After the pulse width P _1MAX , the ejection amount tends to decrease.

Next, the relationship between the head temperature T _H (environmental temperature) and the discharge amount V _{D under the} constant condition of the preheat pulse P ₁ is shown in FIG.
Shown in

The discharge amount relative to the increase in the head temperature T _H as shown in the figure shows a tendency to increase linearly.

The coefficients of the regions showing the linearity in FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively

Preheat pulse dependence coefficient of discharge amount: K _p = ΔV _DP / ΔP ₁ (ng / μs · dot) Head temperature dependence coefficient of discharge amount: K _T = ΔV _DT / ΔT _H (ng / C · dot) Is defined as

In the head structure shown in FIG. 6, K _P =
3.21 (ng / μsec · dot) · K _T = 0.3
(Ng / μsec · dot).

[0047] When these two relationships performing effectively control the pre-heat pulse P ₁ which utilizes as described below, as shown in FIG. 9, due to self heating head temperature due to the variation and the printing environment temperature It is possible to perform discharge amount control that can keep the ink discharge amount of the print head constant at all times even if it changes due to various factors such as fluctuations. Hereinafter, this will be described with reference to FIG.

The discharge amount control differs under the following three conditions. (1) When T _H ≦ T ₀ and the ejection amount compensation at low temperatures in the temperature control of the recording head. (2) When T ₀ < _TH ≦ _TL The ejection amount is controlled by the divided pulse width modulation method (hereinafter, also referred to as PWM). Carried out in a non-control by P ₁ = constant when _{(3) T L <T H} (<T C).

The condition (1) is to secure a discharge amount mainly in a low temperature environment in the temperature control region of FIG. 9, and when the environmental temperature (self-heating) is 25.0 ° C. or less, Head temperature _TH
Is maintained at a constant temperature T ₀ = 25.0 (° C.) to obtain _TH.
= T ₀ , the ejection amount V _DO = 30.0 (ng / dot) is obtained. The reason for setting T ₀ to 25.0 ° C. is to minimize adverse effects due to ink viscosity increase due to temperature control, ink fixation, temperature control ripple, and the like. The pulse width of P ₁ at this time is P ₁ = 1.867μsec.

In the state (2), the ambient temperature (self-heating) is in the range of 26.0 ° C. to 44.0 ° C. in the PWM region shown in FIG. based changes in temperature sensor detects, changing the width of the preheat pulse P ₁ per 2.0 ° C. according to the table shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 13. The control follows the sequence shown in FIG.

In this sequence, erroneous detection of the head temperature is performed.
Temperature in the past three times to prevent and perform more accurate temperature detection
(T_n-3, T_n-2, T_n-1) And the newly detected temperature T_n(S
The temperature averaged by adding step S1) is calculated as the head temperature T_n′
− (T_n-3+ T_n-2+ T_n-1+ T _n) / 4
(Step S2). In the next step, this value T_H'When
Head temperature T measured this time_H= T_nAnd compare with (
S3), T_H-T_n-1= ΔT, i) When | ΔT | <1 ° C., the temperature change is within ± 1 ° C.
Is within 1 table range₁Do not change the pulse width of
No.

Ii) ΔT ≧ 1 ° C. Since the temperature change is shifted to the higher temperature side, the table is lowered by _one to narrow the pulse width of P ₁ .

[0053] iii) ΔT ≦ -1 ℃ temperature change to increase the pulse width of P ₁ is raised one table because it is shifted to the low temperature side.

The table allows only one change even when | ΔT | ≧ 1 ° C. The control is performed while changing the table as shown in FIG. The timing for changing one table during printing (feedback time) is T _F = 20 m
every second. Therefore, one line (about 800 mse
During the printing of c), the table can be changed about 40 times,
It is possible to cope with a temperature rise of 19.0 ° C. at the maximum, thereby reducing the occurrence of density changes.

The reason why the average of four times is used for temperature detection is to prevent erroneous detection due to sensor noise or the like, smoothly perform feedback, minimize the density fluctuation by control, and change the density by serial printing. This is to make connecting streaks unobtrusive. Using this discharge amount control method, the target discharge amount V _DO = 30.0 in the above temperature range.
(Ng / dot) can be controlled within a range of ± 0.6 (ng / dot). If the variation in the ejection amount falls within this range, the density fluctuation occurring during printing of one recording sheet is suppressed to about ± 0.2, and the density unevenness and the connecting streak which are remarkable in the serial printing method are not a problem. . If the average number of temperature detections is increased, noise and the like become stronger, resulting in a smoother change. On the other hand, in real-time control, detection accuracy is impaired and accurate control cannot be performed. In addition, when the average number of temperature detections is reduced, the temperature is weakened to noise and the like, and a rapid change occurs. On the other hand, in real-time control, the detection accuracy is increased and accurate control is possible.

In the state (3), the area is a non-control area.
It is assumed that the environmental temperature (self-heating) is 44.0 ° C. or higher. In the printing state, for example, when 100% DUTY is continuously printed, the temperature reaches instantaneously, but the head structure does not always reach this temperature. The design and head drive conditions are set. In the event that this state occurs continuously, it is determined to be a high temperature abnormal state, and a countermeasure is taken by performing a recovery operation. Further, so as to minimized the self Atsushi Nobori due to the printing suppress heating by the preheating pulses the pulse width of the preheat pulse P ₁ as 0.187Myusec.

Next, the temperature control sequence in the case of the above (1) will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the control is performed on the main body side by using the sub-heaters provided on the left and right sides of the recording head and the temperature sensors located very near the sub-heaters.

FIG. 12 shows the positional relationship between the temperature sensors 10A and 10B and the sub-heaters 11A and 11B of the recording head and the discharge heater 1 used in this embodiment.

The detection of the temperature uses the average value of four times in the same manner as in the discharge amount control method in the case (2). At this time, the head temperature T _H is using the average value of the temperature T _L which is detected from the temperature T _R and the left sensor 10A which detects from the right side of the sensor _{10B (T H = (T R} + T L) / 2) . The temperature is controlled by supplying a current to the sub-heater on the head side based on the detected temperature. The temperature control method is basically an on / off method. That is, the target temperature T ₀ = 25.0
This is a method in which the maximum power (1.2 W each on the left and right sides) is applied until the temperature reaches ° C, and the current is turned off when the target temperature is reached, and the current is passed when the temperature falls. On / off timing is 40m
This is performed every second. Increasing this timing increases the width of the ripple and extends the cycle. Further, when this timing is shortened, the width of the ripple is reduced and the cycle is shortened. With this method, the temperature control ripple width at the target temperature is
Although the temperature is about 2 ° C., since temperature detection by averaging four times is used, there is almost no influence on the discharge amount control by the temperature control ripple. If necessary, an expensive control method such as PID control may be used.

(Setting of Drive Pulse) Next, a method of setting drive conditions of the recording head used in this embodiment will be described.

The apparatus of this embodiment uses a replaceable cartridge type having an integrated ink tank, so that the user can replace the head at any time. For this reason, fine adjustment by a service person or the like cannot be expected. Also, since the cartridge head is manufactured by mass production, it has characteristics peculiar to each head, and the area, resistance value,
It is necessary to provide a method for correcting a difference in the setting of driving conditions for each head due to a variation in a manufacturing process such as a film structure.

If drive conditions are not set for each recording head,
Among the ejection characteristics, ejection speed / direction (landing accuracy), ejection amount (density), ejection stability (refill frequency, uneven density, unevenness), etc. are not optimized, so that not only a stable image cannot be obtained, but also during printing. Significant image disturbances occur due to the non-ejections and deflections that occur. Further, since a full-color image is formed using, for example, four recording heads of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, if any one of the recording heads has a discharge characteristic different from the standard state, the overall balance is lost. Image quality is degraded.

A method for correcting the variation in the ejection characteristics of each head and forming an optimum image will be described below.

When the power is turned on, the table number T _A1 is read from the above-described EEPROM 128 of the recording head together with the ID number, color, and the like as drive conditions. In accordance with this number T _A1, reads the value of the width of the main heat pulse P ₃ of the divided pulse width modulation driving control method described below in the main body.

I) Determination of T ₁ The ejection characteristics of each head are measured in advance in the manufacturing process of the print head, the optimum driving conditions for each print head are determined, and the information is stored as information in the EEPROM of each print head. Keep it.

Ii) Setting of driving conditions On the main body side, in order to set each pulse, preheat pulse P ₁ , interval time P ₂ , and main heat pulse P ₃ at the time of divided pulse width driving, the time from the rise of the preheat pulse is set as follows. the value of T _1, T _2, T ₃ and to keep T ₃ as shown in FIG. 5 determines the _{P 3 (P 3 = T 3} -T 2) by the first from the fixed and advance T ₂ values on body .

[0068] As described above, it is possible to change the body side of the setting conditions by reading the drive condition setting table T _A1 of the recording head as EEPROM128 information of the recording head (driving condition), thereby each of the recording head It is possible to absorb variations in the discharge characteristics.

(Setting of HS Table) Next, setting of density unevenness correction (hereinafter, also referred to as head shading (HS)) data performed in this embodiment will be described.

In the same manner as in the setting of the drive pulse, in order to correct the density unevenness due to the variation in the ejection amount of each print head, when the power is turned on, the ID number, color, and drive conditions are stored as HS data in the table T _HS from the EEPROM of the print head.
Is read. The main body copies this table _THS to a predetermined memory.

I) Determination of T _{HS In} the head manufacturing process, the dot diameter distribution of each head is measured under standard driving conditions to calculate the HS data, and the calculation result is tabulated into the ROM information of the head. Is stored.

Ii) Read HS data.

As described above, the HS data table T _HS
Is read as information in the EEPROM 128 of the recording head, thereby correcting unevenness of each head on the main body side, thereby making it possible to absorb density unevenness due to variation in the discharge amount of each recording head.

(Setting of PWM Table) The setting of the PWM table used in the above-described PWM control is similarly performed.

That is, when the power is turned on, the R
The table number T _A3 is read as the PWM control condition together with the ID number, the color, the driving condition concerning the above two settings and the HS data as the OM information. According to the number T _A3 , the main body determines the upper limit value of the width of the preheat pulse P ₁ in the PWM control.

I) Determination of T ₃ The ejection amount of each head is measured in advance in the manufacturing process of the recording head under the standard driving conditions, and is classified according to the ejection amount and stored as information in the EEPROM 128 of the recording head. Let it be.

Ii) Determination of table for PWM control Shorter than the standard driving condition (P ₁ width = 1.867μsec) the value of the width of the preheat pulse P ₁ when the is 25.0 ° C. a discharge rate of many consisting recording head to reduce the discharge amount standard ejection amount V _Move closer to _DO .

2. 25. For a print head with a small ejection amount,
0 the value of the width of the preheat pulse P ₁ when the ℃ be longer than the standard driving condition (P ₁ = 1.867μsec) increasing the discharge amount closer to the standard ejection amount V _DO.

3. Setting the operation described above so as to always become the standard ejection amount V _DO respect to the width of the table T _A3 and the pre-heat pulse P ₁ has been determined in accordance with the ejection amount of each recording head as shown in FIG. 10 I have.

4. With this method, the standard discharge amount V _DO (30.0
ng / dot), it is possible to correct the variation in the discharge amount of ± 1.2 (ng / dot).

As described above, the PWM control table T _A3
Is read from the EEPROM of the printhead to change the control conditions on the main body side, thereby making it possible to absorb variations in the discharge amount of each printhead.

Next, a description will be given of the correction control based on the setting of the HS data, that is, the correction control of the density unevenness of the print head mainly caused by the temporal change.

The state of the recording head gradually changes as the recording operation is continued, and consequently density unevenness tends to occur. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the apparatus itself measures the density unevenness caused by such a change over time, and performs a process of newly selecting a correction curve.

FIG. 14 explains the position of the density unevenness correction processing of the recording head according to this embodiment in a flow of a series of image processing. An image signal read from the CCD sensor 50, which is one of the fixed image sensors, has its sensor sensitivity corrected by a shading correction circuit 91, and C (cyan) and M (magenta) of the three primary colors of light by a LOG conversion circuit 92. , Y (yellow) are converted into C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) of three primary colors (print colors). Next, C,
For the M and Y signals, the BK (black) portion is extracted as a common component, or a part of the common component is extracted as a part of a black component, and input to the head shading circuit 94 as C, M, Y, and BK signals. You. In the head shading circuit, when the image signal read by the CCD 50 is printed by the printer unit, γ correction (density correction) is performed according to the ejection characteristics of the print head corresponding to the image signal. The γ-conversion circuit 95 has several-stage functions for calculating output data with respect to input data, and an appropriate function is selected in accordance with the density balance of each color and the user's preference for color.

The curve function is determined according to the characteristics of the ink and the characteristics of the recording paper.

The output of the gamma conversion circuit is sent to the binarization processing circuit. In this embodiment, the average concentration dependent method (MD method) is employed. The output of the binarization circuit is sent to the printer unit 44 and recorded by the recording head.

Reference numeral 97 in FIG. 14 denotes a density unevenness measuring section. The actual configuration of a portion 100 combining the head shading circuit 94 and the density unevenness measuring section 97 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. FIG. 16 shows a detailed processing block of FIG. Here, the portions surrounded by the dashed line are the density unevenness measuring unit 97 and the head shading circuit 94, respectively. In this embodiment, the density unevenness temporary storage memory 134 and the γ correction memory 136 are shared by one RAM 152. The EEPROM 126 stores 64 types of γ correction curves shown in FIG. 17 in an arrangement shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of the density unevenness correction processing.

When the user first determines that density unevenness has occurred in the print image, the user presses an unevenness correction button in an operation unit (not shown) (step S201). Then the main body is Fig.2
A non-uniformity measurement pattern as shown in FIG. 0 is printed out (step S201). Next, the user places the recording sample on the document table as shown in FIG. 20 so that the moving direction of the recording head when printing and the moving direction of the CCD 50 are perpendicular to each other (step S203).

Then, when the unevenness correction button is pressed again (step S204), the original reading scanner scans the black sample pattern first (from the second time onward, cyan and cyan).
The result is stored in the SRAM 136 shown in FIG. 16 directly or through predetermined processing (step S205).

Here, the predetermined process is a process of the averaging circuit 133 shown in FIG. 16, and the number of sampling data can be arbitrarily selected as shown in FIG. That is, in this example, an average value for the number of samplings of the density data of dots formed by ink ejection from each ejection port is obtained, and the result is stored in the SRAM 136.

Next, as shown in FIG. 22, a moving average D _{n of} three pixels including one pixel before and after the other for each discharge port by the CPU.
Is obtained (step S206). However, the averaging method in this case may be, for example, an average of a total of nine pixels including four pixels before and after, and further, each pixel may be weighted. Next, an average value of the three pixel averages obtained in step S206 is obtained (step S207). Next, step S2
The ratio α _n [%] (where n is an ejection port number of 1 to 128)
The following is obtained (step S208).

The processing from step S206 to step S208 described above is performed for patterns 1 to 4 in FIG. 20 (step S209).

Next, the average value α _n of α _n in each pattern
(Ave) is obtained (step S210), and the obtained α
_{From n} (ave) and the current density correction table number T _i , a new correction table number T _i +1 is obtained as follows (step S211).

T _{i + 1} (n) = T _i (n) + (α _n (ave) −100) The newly obtained table number T _{i + 1} (n) is stored in the SRAM 13
6 (step S212).

The processing from step S205 to step S212 described above is performed for each color (step S2).
13). At this time, when sampling, green, red, green, and blue filter outputs having a correction relationship are sampled corresponding to the black, cyan, magenta, and yellow patterns, respectively. Possible).

However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, if non-ejection has occurred in the recording head of any of the ink colors of the sampling data taken in the SRAM 136, the following arithmetic processing is performed. Several types of abnormalities have been detected, such as canceling.

As is clear from the above, in this embodiment, when the recording head is replaced, the EEP in the recording head is replaced.
The HS data (γ correction data) of the ROM is transferred to the SRAM 136
, And the data in the SRAM 136 is updated in accordance with the above-mentioned operation with respect to a change with time thereafter. Further, the data in the EEPROM 128 of the head is updated. Therefore,
In this embodiment, the latest HS data is stored in the R in the printer control unit so that the updated data is stored even when the power is turned off.
AM (not shown), and the RAM is backed up by a battery.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment for performing the data processing and the printing processing as described above, a recording apparatus (copier) for performing full-color printing by mounting four (four-color) recording head cartridges to the main body. , FAX and other printers)
It is about.

As described above, the recording head cartridge is provided with the EEPROM 128, in which various data as described above are stored in advance. These data are peculiar to the recording head and are automatically read at a predetermined timing such as when the main body is turned on.

Based on this data, the driving of the main body and the recording head is optimally controlled, thereby enabling stable and high-quality recording.

However, by using these heads, the initial state of the heads changes every moment. Therefore, the contents to be controlled change accordingly.
Therefore, according to the present invention, by updating and adding head data at a predetermined timing, optimal control of the recording head at that time can be performed.

The contents of the data, the writing timing and the effects thereof will be listed below in a table.

[0104]

[Table 1]

All of the above data may be written,
One may be sufficient. Some combinations may be used, and the status of the head cartridge can be more accurately determined from a plurality of data.

The data to be written will be described below. (Number of prints) The life of the printhead, the remaining amount of ink, the timing of the HS processing due to the change in the density unevenness of the printhead, and the like can be determined from the total number of prints.

The life of the recording head can be roughly estimated from the total number of printed sheets. Actually, the life of the heater based on the total number of discharges is closer to the life of the print head, but counting all the total number of discharges for each discharge port imposes a load on the hardware and software of the apparatus body.
By estimating the number of printed sheets, the life can be sufficiently estimated without imposing a load.

Further, since the ink consumption can be estimated from the total number of printed sheets, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank can be estimated. Since the remaining amount of ink can be detected by measuring the electric resistance of the ink in the ink tank, it is possible to more accurately detect the remaining amount of ink.

When the recording head is used, the discharge amount for each discharge port changes slightly, so that when a certain number of sheets are printed, the printing becomes uneven. Therefore, after printing a certain number of sheets, head shading (HS) is promoted to eliminate density unevenness and maintain stable image quality.

It is to be noted that head shading can be automatically performed instead of being performed by the user.
Further, if the number of printed sheets after the HS is known, it is possible to further predict the density unevenness characteristics of the recording head. The timing of writing data to the recording head may be performed once after printing is completed.

As described above, by making the recording head record the data of the number of prints, various judgments can be made. In particular, when there is a case where the recording head is replaced, the state of the recording head can be grasped and optimum control can be performed regardless of the device difference.

(Number of ejections) If the number of ejections of the recording head is known, the state of the recording head can be grasped fairly accurately. More specifically, the information includes the life of the recording head, the change in the density unevenness characteristic, the ink consumption, and the like.

It is not preferable that the timing of inputting data to the recording head is performed during printing. It is preferable to count the number of ejections during printing one sheet in the memory of the main body once and add the number to the previous ejection number after printing. And rewrite it.

The number of discharges referred to here is preferably the number of discharges for each discharge port, since it is possible to more accurately grasp the state of the print head, but it is the number of discharges for the entire print head. However, the state can be grasped relatively accurately, and an unnecessary memory area is not consumed. Further, if the number of ejections after the HS processing is known, the timing for prompting the HS processing can be easily predicted.

(Number of suctions) If the number of suctions is known, the amount of consumed ink and the distribution of ink in the ink tank can be estimated.

Since the amount of ink consumed by one suction operation is known, it is possible to know how much ink has been consumed by knowing the number of ink operations. Thus, the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank can be determined by considering the amount of ink consumed by printing in combination with the amount of ink consumed.

By the way, since the ink flow is relatively fast in the suction, the distribution of the ink in the ink tank changes as compared with the normal printing. That is, when sucking air from the air communication port at the same time as drawing ink from the discharge port at the time of suction,
Since air has a smaller flow path resistance than ink, air is mixed into the ink absorber in the ink tank, and the amount of ink that can be used is slightly reduced. Therefore, the actual remaining amount of the ink can be known by knowing the number of times of suction, so that the remaining amount can be detected more accurately. The writing may be performed after the suction operation.

(Number of Wipings) Wiping is necessary for clearing the wet state of the print head surface and for performing stable discharge from the discharge ports. However, as the number of times increases, the discharge direction changes as a disadvantage. . Actually, this is a subtle change. However, if the number of printed sheets increases considerably and wiping increases accordingly, the density unevenness in the recording head changes due to the increase in skew. Therefore, if the number of times of wiping is known, the timing of HS (head shading) can be estimated.

Also, as one of the causes of the increase in the skew, when the number of times of wiping increases, the recording head surface (orifice surface)
It is known that the water repellency of the recording head deteriorates, and the life of the recording head can be known. The timing of writing data to the recording head may be after wiping.

(Remaining Ink) This data is written by subtracting the previous data when printing or recovery operation is performed. The remaining amount of ink in the ink tank can be ascertained, and the time for replacing the cartridge can be notified.

(Remaining ink detection value) Since the remaining detection value depends on the electrical resistance of the ink, the value generally increases as the temperature decreases. Therefore, the remaining ink level is detected by changing the threshold voltage value of the residual detection according to the temperature of the ink. Therefore, the remaining amount can be detected more accurately by comparing with the previous residual value at the time of the residual operation. The writing may be performed after the residual detection operation.

(HS Data) Head shading is
This is performed to correct the density unevenness characteristic of the recording head and improve the image quality. Initially, it is performed at the time of printhead shipping inspection, and is written into the EEPROM in the printhead. If density unevenness changes during use, HS processing is appropriately performed by the user. At this time, the HS data is newly written in the EEPROM of the recording head.

The timing of the HS processing is the last HS processing.
Judgment may be made based on the number of times after the processing, the number of discharges, or the number of suctions, and the user may be prompted or automatically performed.

(Main unit mounting time) When the head cartridge is mounted on the main unit for the first time, the time in the main unit is written. The time difference from the timer on the main body side is appropriately calculated, and the user can be notified when the time limit of the cartridge is exceeded.

The total time of the attached main body may be written in a timely manner. As a result, data does not change even if the time in the timer in the main body becomes defective for some reason.

(Last printing time) If the last printing time is known, it is possible to know how long the recording head has been left without printing. If the standing time is known, it is possible to appropriately change the conditions of the recovery operation such as preliminary ejection and suction. The timing for writing to the recording head may be after the end of printing. This may be performed after the end of the preliminary ejection. In this case, writing may be performed after the preliminary ejection is completed. However, performing writing after preliminary ejection during printing has adverse effects such as delaying the printing time. Therefore, it is preferable not to perform writing.

(Driving Conditions) The driving conditions are as follows. When the ink is ejected from the recording head, the pulse width applied to the recording head and the optimum value for each recording head are inspected and written in the head when the recording head is shipped. . However, the driving conditions may change depending on the use state of the recording head. For example, when the remaining amount of ink is small, the negative pressure due to the absorber of the ink tank becomes large, so that the ejection amount is somewhat reduced. Therefore, the discharge amount can be increased by increasing the pulse width.

In this case, the data of the recording head can be rewritten after printing, after suction, or after residual operation. In addition, it may change even when it is not used for a long time. When the HS process is performed, not only the density unevenness of the recording head but also the absolute value of the density can be known. Then, since the ejection amount can be estimated from the density, it can be rewritten during the HS processing.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment describes a case where a print head and an ink tank are separable cartridges.

When the recording head is separated from the ink tank as described above, the tank is replaced when the ink runs out, and
Since the ink tank can be used many times by one print head and can be used for the life of the print head, the running cost is reduced.

In the case of such a head cartridge, it is preferable to provide the above-mentioned memory on both the recording head side and the ink tank side, but it is necessary to provide at least the recording head side.

First, the case where both have recording memories will be described.

In this case, the data relating to the ink contact of the data described in the first embodiment may be separately recorded in the ink tank side, and the data relating to the recording head may be recorded separately in the recording head side. There can be common data.

In this case, if only the ink tank is replaced while the recording head remains, the data on the recording head side is changed according to the data in the tank. For example, the driving condition of the recording head is changed according to the data of the remaining amount of ink. Hereinafter, the contents of writing data to the EEPROM of the recording head, the timing, and the respective effects are listed in a table.

[0135]

[Table 2]

All of the above data may be written,
One may be sufficient. Some combinations may be used, and the status of the head cartridge can be more accurately determined from a plurality of data. For the number of prints and the number of discharges, the total number of the print head is written.

The contents of writing data to the EEPROM provided in the ink tank, the timing, and the respective effects are listed below as a table.

[0138]

[Table 3]

All of the above data may be written,
One may be sufficient. In addition, some combinations may be used, and the status of the ink tank cartridge can be more accurately determined based on a plurality of data. Data to be written into the ink tank is written independently of the head. That is, the data of the number of prints and the number of discharges are added to the memory in the tank and written.

As described above, in the cartridge in which the head and the ink tank are separable and function integrally, the recording head side and the ink tank side are provided with the respective storage memories, and are independent from the main body of the recording apparatus at a predetermined timing. Write data to

This makes it possible to appropriately control the ejection of the main body and the recording head and to replace the ink tank in accordance with the histories of the recording head and the ink tank, and to print a stable high-quality image. .

Further, even if the ink tank is not made too large, the ink tank can be replaced and used many times within the life of one recording head, so that the running cost can be reduced. In addition, by reducing the size of the ink tank, the weight of the head cartridge can be reduced, so that the head carriage can be made lighter.The torque of the motor that is the power source of the carriage can be reduced, and the motor and power supply can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the size.

Embodiment 3 This embodiment is different from Embodiment 2 in that a memory is provided only on the recording head side and not on the ink tank side.

The contents and timing of writing data to the EEPROM of the recording head and their effects will be listed below.

[0145]

[Table 4]

All of the above data may be written,
One may be sufficient. In addition, some combinations may be used, and a more accurate head cartridge status can be determined from a plurality of data.

(Number of prints) The total number of prints of the recording head is written. When a new ink tank is replaced, the number of prints at that time is written to the memory of the main body.
By doing so, the number of printed sheets in the ink tank can be determined from the difference between the data on the number of printed sheets on the recording head side and the number of printed sheets on the main body side, and the history can be determined even if there is no memory in the ink tank side.

However, if the cartridge in which the recording head and the ink tank are integrated is temporarily replaced with another head, the history of the tank will be different. It is more preferable that the number of prints when the new tank is replaced is written in the memory of the recording head instead of the memory.

The determination as to whether or not the ink tank has been replaced with a new ink tank can be made based on the residual detection value of the ink tank.

(Number of ejections) Data is written based on the same concept as the number of printed sheets.

(Number of times of suction) When the ink tank is replaced with a new one, the data is initialized and thereafter added.

As described above, since the history of the ink tank can be grasped and controlled only by the memory on the recording head side without providing a storage memory on the ink tank side, the cost of the ink tank can be reduced. However, the memory capacity on the recording head side is larger than the case where the ink tank has independent memory, and in order to perform more reliable control, the recording head and the ink tank as in the second embodiment are required. Preferably have individual memories.

Hereinafter, an example of the recording head and the ink tank according to this embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show a recording head cartridge on the ink tank integrated side according to this embodiment. This recording head cartridge is an integrated recording cartridge in which an ink tank serving as an ink supply source and a recording head chip are detachably attached to each other, and only the ink tank can be replaced.

In FIG. 24, reference numeral 301 denotes a recording head chip as a recording head main body. This head chip 301
Of these, 302 is an ink ejection unit that ejects ink,
It has an ink discharge port and an energy generating element for generating energy for discharging ink droplets. Similarly, reference numeral 303 denotes a liquid chamber, which communicates with a liquid path provided with an energy generating element of the ink discharge unit 302. Here, as the ink ejection unit 302, one having an electrothermal converter or an electromechanical converter as an ejection energy generating element is used, but the manufacturing cost is low and the high density of the ejection ports is high. Since the former is possible, the former is preferably used. 304 is a liquid chamber 303 directly from the ink tank 307.
This is a flow path for sending ink to the printer. Reference numeral 305 denotes a filter formed of a fine mesh, which is provided to remove bubbles, dust, and the like mixed in the ink when ink is sent from the ink tank 307, which is a recording liquid storage unit, to the recording head chip 301. Can be

It is to be noted that an EEPROM 30 described later is provided in a part of the head chip 1.

Reference numeral 306 denotes an ink absorber provided in the ink tank 307, which can be formed of, for example, a porous body, a fibrous substance, or a continuous porous body. The ink tank 307 is provided with remaining amount detecting electrodes 308A and 308B for detecting the remaining amount of the ink, and can be used to detect the remaining amount of the ink in the ink tank 307. A hook 310 provided on the head chip 301 is hooked on a predetermined portion of the ink tank 307 to connect the head chip 301 to the ink tank 307.

Reference numerals 309 denote release buttons provided on both sides of the ink tank 307. When the release buttons are depressed, the hook 310 bends inward, thereby causing the recording head chip 301 and the ink tank 307 to be bent as shown in FIG.
And can be easily separated and removed. on the other hand,
When the ink tank 307 is newly installed, the ink tank 307 is aligned with a predetermined position of the recording head chip 301 and is pressed. When the ink tank 307 is pressed, the hook 310 bends toward the predetermined portion of the ink tank 307 while bending inward. After that, when the recording head chip 301 reaches the predetermined portion, the recording head chip 301 and the ink tank 307 are connected by returning to the original state by the spring force to be in the latched state.

At the time of this connection, the portion of the ink absorber 306 indicated by the symbol A (see FIG. 24) is compressed.
The ink absorber 306 and the mesh filter 305 are in close contact with each other. By being compressed in this way, this part A
Strengthens its capillary action and can suck the ink absorbed by the ink absorber 306 into this portion. As a result, the recording head 30 remains without leaving the ink in the ink tank.
It can be supplied to one side. Reference numeral 311 denotes an air communication hole for guiding air to the ink tank 307.

Next, a case where the ink tank 307 is replaced will be described. When the amount of ink in the ink tank 307 decreases, air is taken in from the atmosphere communication hole 311 provided in the ink tank 307, and bubbles gradually enter the absorber 306. When the ink in the ink tank 307 is almost exhausted, bubbles enter the portion A of the absorber 306, which is the highest density portion.

On the other hand, the remaining amount detecting electrodes 308A and 308A
8B, the remaining amount of the ink is detected by measuring the electric resistance between the electrodes 308A and 308B. When air bubbles enter the portion A of the absorber 306, the electric resistance between the electrodes 308A and 308B is detected. Increase rapidly. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the amount of remaining ink is small by this increase. When it is detected that the remaining amount of the ink is small, a warning lamp provided in, for example, the recording apparatus main body is turned on in order to prompt the replacement of the ink tank 307.

Even after a message prompting the user to replace the ink tank 307 is displayed, there is a case where printing can be performed using the ink remaining inside for a while. However, all of the ink is consumed, but the mesh filter 305
Does not allow air bubbles to pass through, and when the air bubbles fill the portion A of the absorber 306, recording cannot be suddenly performed.
At this time, the recording head chip 301 is filled with ink. However, since no air bubbles can be taken in from the filter 305 and the meniscus of the ink is held in the vicinity of the ejection port of the ink ejection unit 302, the ink does not leak from the ink ejection unit 302. Even when the ink tank 307 is removed,
The ink tank 307 is formed by the capillary force of the ink absorber 306.
Does not leak from the ink.

FIG. 26 shows a recording apparatus which performs recording using the recording cartridge shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.
In this recording apparatus, since the cartridge is small, the scanning space of the recording head is narrowed, so that the entire apparatus can be downsized.

In FIG. 26, reference numeral 314 denotes an ink jet cartridge in which the recording head chip 301 and the ink tank 307 are combined. The ink jet cartridge 314 is fixed on the carriage 315 by a pressing member 341.

The carriage 315 is driven by a motor 317 constituted by a stepping motor or the like, and can reciprocate in the longitudinal direction along the shaft 321. A carriage 315 and a line for sending a signal and a power supply voltage to the print head chip 301 are connected via a flat cable 316.

A wire 322 transmits the driving force of the motor 317 to the carriage 315. A feed motor 329 is coupled to the platen roller 319 to convey the recording medium 318.

When the ink in the ink tank 307 is exhausted,
If the light indicating that there is no ink is lit,
The pressing member 341 is released, the inkjet cartridge 314 is removed from the carriage 315, and the recording head chip 301 and the ink tank 307 are separated. By replacing the ink tank 307 with a new one, and connecting the ink tank 307 to the print head chip 301,
It is easy to supply the ink to 1 again.

After the ink tank 307 is replaced, the recording head chip 301 is full of ink, and no air bubbles are taken in by the filter 305. Therefore, the recording operation can be started immediately. There is no.

However, the portion A (FIG. 24) of the ink absorber 306 stored in the new ink tank 307 is used.
In some cases, it is desirable to supply ink to the portion A by performing a recovery operation by suction with a constant force or the like. It should be noted that the remaining amount detection lamp may be turned on when air bubbles are accumulated in the portion A, so it is desirable to detect the remaining amount of ink when replacing the ink tank 307.

If the remaining amount detection lamp is not lit, that is, if the ink ejection becomes defective despite the ink remaining in the ink tank 307, and the ejection failure does not recover even after the recovery operation, the recording is stopped. Head chip 3
The recording head chip 301 is replaced because the trouble on the 01 side or the life of the head 301 has occurred.

In this embodiment, the recording head chip mainly includes the ink discharge section 302 and the liquid chamber 303, and the ink is supplied directly from the ink tank 307 into the liquid chamber 303. Therefore, the recording head chip is usually provided on the head chip. Since the sub-tank is not used, the configuration is small and simple, and the entry of air bubbles into the head chip 301 according to the present example is reliably prevented by the filter 305.

However, in this embodiment, the ink tank 307 is used as the ink supply source. However, the ink tank 307 may function as a sub-tank, and a main ink supply source may be further provided.

Embodiment 4 This embodiment shows a case where tank cartridges of different colors are used while being exchanged, and is an embodiment in which only one recording head is mounted on the main body.

In the case where the ink tank is configured to be separable from the recording head unit, the ink tanks of a plurality of colors may be exchanged for use. At this time, if the color of the ink before the replacement is different from the color of the new ink, it is necessary to perform suction and preliminary discharge more than in the case of the same color in order to prevent color mixing of the ink.

Therefore, by writing the color of the ink before the replacement into the recording head, appropriate recovery processing can be performed, and it is possible to prevent the consumption of extra ink and the mixing of ink.

In this case, it is necessary to provide color data on the ink tank side as well, but it is not necessary to rewrite the data. With such a configuration, it is sufficient that the color of the ink tank can be recognized on the main body side.

(Others) It should be noted that the present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. An excellent effect is obtained in a recording head and a recording apparatus of a type in which the state of ink is changed by the thermal energy. This is because according to such a method, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method is a so-called on-demand type,
Although it can be applied to any type of continuous type, in particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it can be applied to a sheet holding liquid (ink) or an electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the liquid path. By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the recording head. Liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis.
This is effective because air bubbles inside can be formed. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of a liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 44,558 which disclose a configuration in which a heat acting portion is arranged in a bending region.
A configuration using the specification of Japanese Patent No. 59600 is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slit is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, and an aperture for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided. The effect of the present invention is effective even if the configuration is based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to a discharge unit. That is, according to the present invention, recording can be reliably and efficiently performed regardless of the form of the recording head.

Furthermore, the present invention can be effectively applied to a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum width of a recording medium on which a recording apparatus can record. Such a recording head may have a configuration that satisfies the length by a combination of a plurality of recording heads, or a configuration as one integrally formed recording head.

In addition, even in the case of the serial type as described above, the recording head fixed to the apparatus main body or the electric connection with the apparatus main body or the ink from the apparatus main body is attached to the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. The present invention is also effective when a replaceable chip-type recording head that can be supplied or a cartridge-type recording head in which an ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself is used.

It is preferable to add a recording head ejection recovery unit, a preliminary auxiliary unit, and the like as the configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically mentioned, the recording head is heated using capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, an electrothermal transducer, another heating element or a combination thereof. Pre-heating means for performing the pre-heating and pre-discharging means for performing the discharging other than the recording can be used.

The type and number of recording heads to be mounted are not limited to those provided only for one color ink, for example, and for a plurality of inks having different recording colors and densities. A plurality may be provided. That is, for example, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, but may be any of integrally forming a printing head or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus provided with at least one of the recording modes of full color by color mixture.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower and which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. In general, the ink jet method generally controls the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. Sometimes, the ink may be in a liquid state. In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy by using it as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, or to prevent evaporation of the ink, the ink is solidified in a standing state and heated. May be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start solidifying when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink
JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-7
As described in Japanese Patent No. 1260, a mode may be adopted in which the liquid sheet or the solid sheet is held as a liquid or solid substance in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet so as to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

Further, the form of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention is not limited to those used as image output terminals of information processing equipment such as computers, copying apparatuses combined with readers and the like, and facsimile apparatuses having a transmission / reception function. It may take a form.

[0186]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by reading data from the replaced recording head, the previous use state of the recording head and the updated unique correction data can be obtained. And discharge can be performed based on the above, and appropriate discharge can be performed.

As a result, stable high-quality recording can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the head cartridge shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet recording apparatus using the head cartridge shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of ink remaining amount detection used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic waveform diagram showing divided pulses for driving a head used in the first embodiment.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are a schematic longitudinal sectional view and a schematic front view showing the structure of the recording head used in the first embodiment, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the width of a pre-pulse of the divided pulse and the ejection amount of a recording head.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between an environmental temperature and a discharge amount in the print head of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining ejection amount control in the first embodiment, and is a diagram mainly showing a relationship between a print head temperature and an ejection amount.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a table defining a relationship between the width of the preheat pulse and the temperature of the recording head used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a discharge amount control described in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a substrate constituting a recording head used in the first embodiment.

13 is a schematic waveform diagram showing a relationship between the table shown in FIG. 10 and divided pulses.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of image data processing in the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a circuit block diagram showing a specific configuration of a density unevenness measuring section shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a process of the circuit illustrated in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a γ correction table used in the processing shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a memory showing a specific arrangement of the table.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of density unevenness correction processing performed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining reading of a print pattern in the density unevenness correction processing.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram for explaining processing of read data in the reading.

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram for explaining processing of read data in the reading.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the read data.

FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional view showing a head cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a schematic sectional view showing a state where the head cartridge is separated into a recording head and an ink tank.

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an ink jet recording apparatus using the head cartridge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Discharge heater 2 Ink path 3 Discharge port 5 Substrate 10A, 10B Temperature sensor 11A, 11B Insulation heater 314, IJC head cartridge 301, IJU recording head 307, IT ink tank 150 Control unit 151 CPU 152 RAM 126 EEPROM

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 21, 2001 (2001.11.
21)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an appropriate ejection drive control in accordance with a replaced recording head and an ink tank mounted at that time. The object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of always performing good ink ejection and performing high quality recording by performing the above relation.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0007

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided:
In an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium by discharging ink supplied from an ink tank from a recording head, the recording head having a head storage unit for storing information on a state of the recording head A carriage for mounting an ink tank having an ink tank storage unit that is detachably connected to the print head and stores information on a state of the ink tank, and a head storage unit of the print head; An information writing unit for writing information to the ink tank storage unit; and a control unit for writing information independently to the head storage unit of the recording head and the ink tank storage unit at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by the following.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0008]

According to the above arrangement, by reading information from the replaced print head, for example, the ejection drive can be performed based on the previous use state of the print head and updated unique correction data. At this time, the ejection drive can be appropriately performed in relation to the ink tank to be mounted at that time.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0143

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Reference Example Different from the second embodiment, this example shows a case where the memory is provided only on the recording head side and not provided on the ink tank side.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0173

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Embodiment 3 This embodiment shows a case where tank cartridges of different colors are used while being exchanged, and is an embodiment in which only one recording head is mounted on the main body.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 24 is a schematic sectional view showing a head cartridge according to a reference example of the present invention.

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Sugimoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Miyuki Matsubara 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Numata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2C056 EB07 EB59 FA03 HA01 KC05 KC11 KC22

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging ink on a recording medium, comprising: a recording head detachably mounted on the apparatus;
A recording head having at least one of driving history data, mounting state data, recovery processing data, driving condition data and density unevenness correction data of the recording head, and having a memory capable of writing and calling the data; Memory write / read means for writing or reading the data at a predetermined timing in the memory of the recording head; drive control means for driving the recording head based on the data read by the memory writing / reading means An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: 2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head integrally includes an ink tank storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. 3. The printhead according to claim 1, wherein the printhead includes an ink tank storing ink to be supplied to the printhead, integrally and separably, and the memory provided at least in the printhead. Ink jet recording device. 4. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head uses thermal energy to generate bubbles in the ink, and discharges the ink based on the generation of the bubbles. Ink jet recording device.