JP2002240254A - Recording device and recording control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device and a recording control method, which are capable of recording stably for a long period of time even when a recording head having many simultaneous discharging number is used. SOLUTION: When the recording is effected in a driving current supplying path provided with an electrolytic capacitor between an electric power supplying unit and the recording head employing a recording head having a plurality of recording elements driven by a driving current supplied form the electric power supplying unit through the driving current supplying path, the amount of voltage reduction in a smoothing current unit between the electric power supplying unit and the electrolytic capacitor as well as the amount of voltage reduction in a pulse current unit between the electrolytic capacitor and the recording head are estimated while the pulse width of the driving current is controlled in a timing for driving the recording elements based on these estimated amounts of voltage reductions.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a recording control method, and more particularly to a recording apparatus and a recording control method for performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording apparatus used in a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile or the like records an image formed of a dot pattern on a recording medium such as paper or a plastic thin plate based on image information. Such recording apparatuses can be classified into an ink jet system, a wire dot system, a thermal system, an electrophotographic system, and the like according to the recording system. In the ink jet method, an ink droplet is ejected and ejected from an ejection port of a recording head, and is attached to a recording medium to record an image.

In recent years, a large number of recording apparatuses have been used, and high-speed recording, high resolution, high image quality, low noise, and the like are required for these recording apparatuses. As a recording apparatus that meets such a demand, there is a recording apparatus that employs the above-described inkjet system. In the inkjet recording apparatus, since the recording is performed by discharging the ink from the recording head, it is possible to perform recording without contacting the recording medium, and therefore, it is possible to generate a stable recording image on a wide range of recording media. it can.

[0004] In particular, in this ink jet recording apparatus, the method of recording by forming droplets using thermal energy has a simple structure, so that it is easy to increase the density of nozzles for ejecting ink. With the advantage that.

However, in an ink jet recording apparatus, stable recording of ink is required in order to perform recording by discharging ink from a recording head. That is, the recording head in the ink jet recording apparatus is required to have durability, adaptability to the environment, temperature change of the recording head, stable performance with respect to the number of simultaneous ejections of ink droplets, and the like.

Here, the stable ejection means stable ejection amount, ejection speed, and ejection accuracy (accuracy of the ejection position of ink droplets).

Therefore, for the purpose of stabilization, conventionally, control for changing the driving pulse applied to the recording head according to the temperature of the recording apparatus main body and the recording head has been considered.

According to the prior art, the number of ejection energy generating elements (hereinafter, printing elements) simultaneously driven by an image to be printed changes, and the current supplied from the power supply of the printing apparatus main body also changes. I will. Therefore, the amount of voltage drop due to the resistance of the wiring connecting the recording apparatus body and the recording head changes, and when a constant voltage is applied to the recording head, the voltage applied to the recording element in the recording head is recorded. This will vary for each image to be processed.

For example, in the case of a general ink jet recording apparatus, the wiring resistance between the recording apparatus main body and the recording head is set to 0.
About 2Ω, head contact resistance about 0.1Ω,
The total is about 0.3Ω. Assuming that a driving current of 100 to 200 mA flows per recording element and 54 recording elements are driven at the same time, the total current is 2.4 A to
4.8 A, voltage drop due to wiring is 0.3Ω ×
(5.4A to 10.8A) = 1.62V to 3.24V. This results in voltage fluctuation applied to the recording element.

[0010] Needless to say, the voltage fluctuation applied to the recording element is a fluctuation of the discharge energy, that is, a fluctuation of the ink discharge amount and the discharge speed. For this reason, deviations occur in the recording density unevenness and the ejection positions of the ink droplets on the recording medium, and cause ejection failures.
The recording quality is significantly deteriorated.

Further, the voltage applied to the recording element provided in each nozzle of the recording head differs due to the simultaneous ejection. However, the driving voltage and the driving pulse are set when the number of simultaneous ejections is maximum, that is, when the driving voltage is Since the ejection is determined so as to be stable even at the maximum, when the number of simultaneous ejections is small, an excessive drive voltage or drive pulse is applied to the print element, which leads to deterioration of the durability of the print head.

[0012] In order to solve these problems, various methods have been conventionally proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 58-5280 proposes a thermal dot recording apparatus in which driving pulses and driving intervals are changed in accordance with the number of simultaneously driven recording elements.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-116342 discloses that the number of dots at which ink is simultaneously ejected is determined by MPU or RPU.
There has been proposed an ink jet recording apparatus that detects a detection unit using an AM and controls a drive voltage using the detection result.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-11463 discloses that
An image signal transferred from a host or the like is temporarily held in a buffer, and is converted into a bit signal for each heating resistor in an ink jet recording head by an image processing circuit, and the number of nozzles for discharging ink, the nozzle position, and ink jet recording. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an ink jet recording apparatus that determines a driving pulse condition using a look-up table based on temperature information obtained from a thermistor provided in a head.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-11504 discloses that
An ink jet printing apparatus has been proposed which counts the number of nozzles of a simultaneously driven print head before printing one scan line, and stores and uses drive parameters in a RAM based on the count value.

[0017]

However, the above prior art has the following problems to be solved.

(1) The amount of voltage drop due to the pulse current and the amount of voltage drop due to the smooth current in the path of the power supply wiring to the recording head could not be determined independently.

(2) In a print head composed of a plurality of chips, the amount of voltage drop in the wiring area common to each chip and the amount of voltage drop in the wiring area independent of each chip could not be determined independently.

Due to such a problem, the voltage drop amount cannot be accurately determined at the timing of driving the recording element.

On the other hand, in recent print heads, the printing speed is increased by increasing the number of printing elements, and the number of simultaneously driven printing elements tends to increase. Therefore, the necessity of accurately determining the amount of voltage drop and performing appropriate pulse control to secure the ejection stability of ink has been increasing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has as its object to provide a recording apparatus and a recording control method capable of performing stable recording for a long period of time.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a recording apparatus for performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, comprising: a power supply means for supplying a driving current for driving the plurality of recording elements to the recording head; A charge storage means provided in a drive current supply path between a power supply means and the recording head, and a voltage drop amount in a first section between the power supply means and the charge storage means in the drive current supply path A first evaluation unit for estimating a voltage drop amount in a second section between the charge storage unit and the recording head in the drive current supply path;
At the timing for driving the recording element, the first
And a control means for controlling the pulse width of the drive current based on the voltage drop amount estimated by the second evaluation means.

Here, a temporal change of the driving current in the first section is relatively small, and a temporal change of the driving current in the second section is relatively large.

[0026] The first evaluation means is a recording dot which is recorded from the recording head in a recording period in which the electric charge stored in the charge storage means can supply the electric power required for the recording operation of the recording head. May be counted, and the amount of voltage drop in the first section may be determined based on the count result, for example, using the first LUT.

On the other hand, the second evaluation means counts the number of printing elements driven simultaneously in the printing operation of the printing head, and, for example,
It is preferable to determine the amount of voltage drop in the second section using the second LUT.

In such a case, the recording head is provided with a nonvolatile memory for storing characteristic information unique to the recording head, and the first and second recording heads are stored based on the characteristic information stored in the nonvolatile memory. It is more preferable to set optimal information as the second LUT.

[0029] The control means may control the first and the second.
It is preferable to estimate the amount of voltage drop in the entire drive current supply path from the amount of voltage drop in the first and second sections estimated by each of the evaluation means, and determine the adjustment width of the pulse width based on the evaluation result.

Preferably, the recording head is an ink jet recording head, and has an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy.

The ink jet recording head includes at least a first chip having a recording element group for discharging yellow ink, a second chip having a recording element group for discharging magenta ink, and a cyan chip. A third chip having a recording element group for discharging ink, and a fourth chip having a recording element group for discharging black ink. The road includes a common section common to the first to fourth chips and a unique section unique to each of the first to fourth chips. In this case, the first evaluation means , The voltage drop amount in each of the common section and the unique section may be estimated.

The ink jet recording head may be
In the case of a configuration including a sub-heater for keeping the head warm, the control unit further includes: a determination unit configured to determine whether the sub-heater has been driven; It is preferable to control the pulse width of the drive current in consideration of the estimated voltage drop.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording control method for performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements driven by a driving current supplied from a power supply unit via a driving current supply path. A voltage drop amount in a first section between the power supply unit and the charge storage unit in the drive current supply path in which a charge storage unit is provided between the power supply unit and the recording head; A first evaluation step of estimating a voltage drop in a second section between the charge storage unit and the recording head in the drive current supply path; and driving the recording element. Controlling the pulse width of the drive current based on the amount of voltage drop estimated in the first and second evaluation steps at a timing. Equipped with a.

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, the present invention is applicable to a case where recording is performed using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements driven by a driving current supplied from a power supply unit via a driving current supply path. In the drive current supply path in which the charge storage section is provided between the charge storage section and the recording head, the amount of voltage drop in the first section between the power supply section and the charge storage section is estimated, and The voltage drop amount in the second section between them is estimated, and the pulse width of the drive current is controlled based on these estimated voltage drop amounts at the timing of driving the recording element.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Description of a Color Printing Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a color ink jet printing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a printing apparatus) which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 202 denotes a head cartridge comprising an ink tank and a recording head. The head cartridge 202 has four ink tanks in which four color inks (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) are respectively stored.
Receives ink from the respective ink tanks and ejects four color inks to perform recording. Reference numeral 103 denotes a paper feed roller, which rotates in the direction of the arrow in the figure while holding down the recording sheet 107 together with the auxiliary roller 104, and conveys the recording sheet 107 and also plays a role of holding down the recording sheet 107. Reference numeral 106 denotes a carriage, and the head cartridge 2
02 is moved in the X-axis direction in the figure according to the recording operation.

The carriage 106 is controlled so as to stand by at the home position indicated by a dotted line in the drawing when the recording apparatus is not recording or when the recording head 202 performs a recovery operation.

Before starting printing, the carriage 106 located at the home position sends a printing start command to the host (not shown).
From the recording head 20 while moving in the X direction.
The recording element provided in 1 is driven to record an area corresponding to the recording width of the recording head on the recording sheet. When the printing is completed to the end of the recording paper along the scanning direction of the carriage 106, the carriage 106 returns to the original home position and performs the printing in the X direction again. After the previous printing scan is completed, before the next printing scan starts, the paper feed roller 10
3 rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and the paper is fed in the Y direction by a required width. By repeating the carriage reciprocal scanning and paper feeding for printing in this manner, printing on the printing paper surface is completed. The recording operation for discharging ink from the recording head 201 is performed based on control from a control circuit (described later).

In order to increase the printing speed, printing is not performed only while the carriage 106 is moving in the X direction.
The recording may be performed also in the return path when the carriage 106 is returned to the home position after the recording in the X direction is completed.

The head cartridge 202 used in the above-described recording apparatus is one in which the ink tank and the recording head are held on the carriage 106 in a separable manner. It may be a cartridge. Further, a recording head in which nozzles for discharging a plurality of colors of ink capable of discharging a plurality of colors of ink from one recording head may be used.

At the position where the above-described recovery operation is performed, capping means (not shown) for capping the front surface (discharge port face) of the recording head, or ink or bubbles having increased viscosity in the recording head when the capping means caps the ink. A recovery unit (not shown) for performing a head recovery operation such as removal of the head is provided.

A cleaning blade (not shown) or the like is provided on the side of the capping means.
The recording head is supported so as to protrude toward the recording head 01 so as to be in contact with the front surface of the recording head. Thus, after the recovery operation, the cleaning blade is protruded into the movement path of the recording head, and unnecessary ink droplets and stains on the front surface of the recording head are wiped off as the recording head moves.

(2) Description of Recording Head FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the recording head 201 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of discharge ports 300 are formed at a predetermined pitch in the print head 201, and each of the liquid paths 302 connecting the common liquid chamber 301 and each of the discharge ports 300 is formed. A recording element 303 for generating energy for ink ejection is provided along the wall surface.
The recording element 303 and its driving circuit are formed on a silicon substrate 308 by using a semiconductor manufacturing technique.

The silicon substrate 308 on which these electric wirings are formed is bonded to an aluminum base plate 307 for heat radiation. Further, the circuit connection portion 31 on the silicon substrate 308
1 and the printed circuit board 309 are connected by an ultra-fine wire 310, and a signal from the recording apparatus main body is received through a signal circuit 312.

The liquid path 302 and the common liquid chamber 301 are formed by a plastic cover 306 made by injection molding. The common liquid chamber 301 includes the ink tank (see FIG. 1), the joint pipe 304, and the ink filter 3 described above.
The common liquid chamber 301 is supplied with ink from an ink tank. The ink supplied from the ink tank to the common liquid chamber 301 and temporarily stored therein enters the liquid path 302 by capillary action,
A meniscus is formed at the discharge port 300 to keep the liquid path 302 filled.

At this time, when the recording element 303 is energized through an electrode (not shown) and generates heat, the ink on the recording element 303 is rapidly heated and bubbles are generated in the liquid passage 302, and the bubbles expand. Ink droplet 3 from the ejection port 300
13 is discharged.

(3) Description of Control Configuration FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit for controlling each section of the printing apparatus.

In the figure, a control circuit 400 is an interface for inputting a recording signal from a host, 401 is an MPU, 402 is a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 401, and 403 is various data (such as the recording signal and This is a DRAM for storing print data and the like supplied to the print head 201, and can also store the number of print dots, the number of ink print head replacements, and the like. A gate array 404 controls supply of print data to the print head 201, and includes an interface 400, an MPU 401, and a DR array.
It also controls data transfer between the AMs 403.

Reference numeral 405 denotes a carriage motor for conveying a recording head, and 406 denotes a paper feed motor for conveying a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numerals 407 and 408 denote motor drivers for driving the paper feed motor 405 and the carriage motor 406, respectively. A head driver 409 drives the recording head 201.

The recording head 201 is provided with an EEPROM 205 storing characteristic information of the recording head itself and a temperature sensor 206 for measuring the internal temperature of the recording head. When the recording head 201 is mounted on the carriage 106, , The information stored in the EEPROM 205 and the output from the temperature sensor 206 can be transferred to the MPU 401.

Next, the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration is used as a common embodiment, and several embodiments of a method for controlling the printing head will be described.

First Embodiment <Outline> In this embodiment, the voltage drop in a power supply line for supplying power to a recording head is determined independently from the voltage drop due to a pulse current and the voltage drop due to a smooth current. The total amount of voltage drop at the drive timing is accurately determined, and the recording head is driven by an appropriate drive pulse corresponding to the amount of voltage drop.

<Overview of Printhead Control> In order to eject ink, the result of calculating the logical product of print data and a heat pulse is input to the print element, and the print element is heated.
The print data determines the presence or absence of printing, and the heat pulse is involved in controlling the ejection energy. Driving all dischargeable nozzles simultaneously requires power, generated heat,
Normally, the recording element is driven in a time-division manner because the recording element becomes excessive from the ink supply side.

First, the drive circuit and drive timing of the print head according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a driving circuit of the recording head according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the driving timing of the recording head shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, this recording head
Bit shift register 103 and three block division signals (BE0, BE1, BE2), eight for each of eight nozzles.
It has 64 divided nozzles (printing elements).
The heater 101 is driven by a transistor.
When 01 is heated, film boiling occurs in the ink, and the ink can be ejected.

As shown in FIG. 5, the recording data is serially transferred from the host to the shift register 103 using the clock signal (HCLK) and the recording signal (Si), and is latched by the latch 102 by the latch signal (BG). . The block division signals (BE0, BE1, BE2) are supplied to the decoder 100.
Is decoded into eight signals and divided into eight heaters 10
1 as an enable signal (block designation signal). Then, ejection control is performed in accordance with the result of the logical product of the print signal, the selected block designation signal, and the heat pulse signal (HE).

Here, a power supply path of a general ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power supply path of a general ink jet recording apparatus.

The driving current of the recording element of the recording head is supplied to the recording head from the power supply 204 of the recording apparatus main body. As shown in FIG.
An electrolytic capacitor 203a is provided, so that temporary power can be supplied by the electric charge stored in the capacitor. Therefore, according to the recording operation, if the time change of the current passing through the power supply path for driving the recording element is also strictly observed, the electrolytic capacitor 203a
Are different between the recording head side and the recording apparatus side than the CR substrate 203 provided with.

In particular, the current changes greatly with time on the recording head side of the CR substrate 203 according to the number of recording elements that are actually driven simultaneously, but the power supply is compensated by the electrolytic capacitor 203a on the recording device side of the CR substrate 203. Therefore, the time variation of the current is relatively smooth. For this reason, in the power supply path, of the drive current of the printing element, the print head side from the CR substrate 203 is called a pulse current section, and the printing apparatus side from the CR board 203 is called a smooth current section.

Now, the current for driving the recording head 201 causes a voltage drop due to the wiring resistance on the power supply path. Strictly speaking, the voltage drop depends on the contribution of the pulse current section and the contribution of the smooth current section. Divided into

Therefore, in this embodiment, the evaluation of the voltage drop is considered separately for the contribution by the pulse current section and the contribution by the smoothing current section.

When a voltage drop occurs, it is necessary to increase the pulse width to compensate for the drop in order to supply the same energy to the heater. Here, assuming a printing apparatus having a common power supply system and mounting a printing head of 1 nozzle 64 nozzles × 4 (color), when one chip is driven in a time-division manner into 8 blocks, the total number of simultaneous ejection nozzles becomes 0-3
2 (8 nozzles / chip × 4 chips at the same time). Assuming that the number of simultaneous ejection nozzles is equal to the nozzle position of each chip evenly and temporally, the power supply circuit when the number of simultaneous ejection nozzles is "N" has a parallel arrangement of heaters as shown in FIG. Considered a circuit.

At this time, the wiring resistance for each of the heaters 1 to N in the print head 201 fluctuates depending on the distance from the electrode of the print head to each heater. To prevent this fluctuation, the wiring resistance for the heaters is made equal. It is desirable to adjust the wiring resistance inside the recording head by adjusting the wiring width or the like.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a heat pulse used in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a double pulse configuration including a preheat pulse, a pulse interval, and a main heat pulse is employed. In the case where the ejection amount or the ejection speed of the ink does not change due to the nozzle structure of the recording head or the physical properties of the ink, a single pulse configuration including only the main pulse may be used.

In FIG. 8, a time interval PT00 has a pulse margin of about 0.1 μs from a block trigger signal (Trig) for normal latching. t = PT0
In the case of 0 to PT01, power is supplied to the heater by the preheat pulse. Subsequently, a period from t = PT01 to PT02 is a pause time (pulse interval). Then, the time interval P
The ink is discharged by applying the TM00 main heat pulse. However, it is desirable to optimize the preheat pulse, the pulse interval, and the main heat pulse according to the conditions such as the heater resistance of the recording head and the ON resistance of the transistor to optimize the ink discharge amount or the discharge speed.

PTK00 is a pulse for compensating for a voltage drop accompanying an increase in the number of simultaneous heats.

When the voltage drop caused by simultaneous ejection is compensated for by the drive pulse width (main heat pulse width), the relationship between the number of simultaneous ejections and the drive pulse is shown in FIG.

<Compensation of Voltage Drop> FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining a conventional compensation process using a heat pulse for a voltage drop.

According to this conventional example, the number of simultaneously driven printing elements at the timing when the block trigger signal (Trig) is input is counted (1000 in FIG. 10), and an appropriate compensation pulse amount is calculated according to the counted value. Is determined (1005 in FIG. 10).

According to the conventional example, the amount of voltage drop due to the contribution of the pulse current portion described above can be accurately determined.
However, since the amount of voltage drop by the smoothing current unit has not been determined and the accurate amount of voltage drop as a whole has not been estimated, in order to maintain the quality of the recording operation, the state where the maximum voltage drop occurs, That is, assuming a state where the maximum number of simultaneously driven recording elements is continuously maintained, the pulse is set so that stable ink ejection is possible.

With such a pulse setting, the drive pulse width becomes relatively long, and when continuous printing is performed with a small number of simultaneously driven printing elements, excessive energy is supplied to the heater. Is done. In such a case, unnecessarily excessive power is supplied to the recording element, and as a result, the durability of the recording element is impaired.

In this embodiment, the voltage drop is more accurately estimated so that driving with an optimum pulse width can be realized in order to eliminate such inconvenience.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining a compensation process by a heat pulse for a voltage drop according to this embodiment.

According to FIG. 11, the block trigger signal (Tr
ig) is counted (1000 in FIG. 11) at the timing of inputting (ig), and the amount of voltage drop in the pulse current portion is determined from the count (FIG. 1).
1 of 1002). On the other hand, the number of recording dots in a predetermined number of columns is counted at the count timing (FIG. 11).
1001), the amount of voltage drop in the smooth current portion is determined from the counted number of recorded dots (10 in FIG. 11).
03).

Then, the total voltage drop in the power supply wiring of the entire system at the block selection timing is determined from the voltage drop in the pulse current section and the smoothing current section (1004 in FIG. 11), and compensation is made from the total voltage drop. A pulse to be determined is determined (1005 in FIG. 11).

The column described here refers to a recording cycle in which all recording elements of the recording head are given one recording opportunity. Since the printhead is mounted on the carriage and performs printing while moving in the carriage movement direction (main scanning direction), the number of columns is the number of printing cycles when the printhead performs printing while moving in the main scanning direction. Point. The predetermined number of columns in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
Is determined depending on the capacity of the electrolytic capacitor 203a mentioned in the above. That is, the predetermined number of columns is determined by the recording amount that can be covered by the electric power stored in the electrolytic capacitor 203a. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is set to 10 columns. However, this number does not limit the present invention, and other numbers (for example, 2) may be used depending on the characteristics of the recording head and the capacity of the electrolytic capacitor 203a.
0, 32, etc.).

<Determination of Voltage Drop and Compensation Pulse Control>
The determination of the amount of voltage drop and the control of the compensation pulse, which have been schematically described with reference to FIG. 11, are realized by the following processing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process at an encoder signal output timing of a resolution of 600 dpi, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process at a timing at which a block trigger signal (Trig) is input.

According to FIG. 12, in the interrupt processing for each resolution of 600 dpi, the number of dots to be printed corresponding to 10 columns is counted (step S101).

According to FIG. 13, in the interrupt processing at the timing when the block trigger signal (Trig) is input, first, the number of simultaneously driven recording elements is counted (step S201). Subsequently, the voltage drop amount (Bit_Vdown) in the pulse current portion is obtained from the look-up table (LUT) from the counted number of simultaneously driven recording elements (step S202).

Subsequently, the amount of voltage drop (Ave_Vdown) in the smooth current portion is obtained from the LUT from the dot counts for 10 columns counted at the output timing of the encoder signal with a resolution of 600 dpi (step S203). Next, the amount of voltage drop (Bit_Vdow)
n) and (Ave_Vdown) are added to the timing (P
T02) is determined (step S204).

Finally, the voltage drop amount (Bit_Vdow)
n) and (Ave_Vdown) are added to determine the pulse width (PTK00) of the compensation pulse from the total voltage drop amount (step S204).

The reason why PT02 is determined at the same time as block selection timing at the same time as PTK00 is to adjust the ejection amount and the ejection speed of the ink given by the pulse change by the pulse compensation by changing PT02.

<Setting of Basic Pulse and Various Tables> FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing pulse setting and table setting processing according to the internal temperature of the print head every 40 ms.

By changing the pulse conditions according to the internal temperature of the recording head, it is possible to stabilize the discharge characteristics such as the ink discharge amount and the discharge speed.

According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, first, the pulse No. is obtained from the information stored in the EEPROM 205 built in the recording head (step S).
301). As described above, the pulse number is a value measured in advance for driving with an appropriate pulse according to the heater resistance value of the recording head, the ON resistance value of the transistor driving the recording element, and the wiring resistance value. It is desirable to store it in a memory in advance. However, in addition to reading information from an EEPROM incorporated in the recording head, when the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus, such information may be input from, for example, a host connected to the recording apparatus.

Next, the internal temperature of the recording head is obtained from the temperature sensor 206 (step S302).

The pulse No. and the internal temperature of the recording head serve as key information for searching the LUT stored in the ROM provided in the control circuit of the recording apparatus. This L
The UT stores information for determining a pre-pulse width, a main pulse width, and a pulse interval in association with a plurality of temperature ranges and a plurality of pulse numbers. Therefore, the optimum pulse width and pulse interval for the mounted print head can be selected from the pulse number and the measured internal temperature of the print head. The LUT is composed of three tables as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a temperature pulse number table for determining a key number for determining a pre-pulse width, a main pulse width, and a pulse interval from the pulse numbers and the internal temperature of the recording head. Are PT00, PT01, PTM corresponding to the temperature pulse number (No.)
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a table defining 00, and FIG. 17 shows a voltage drop amount (Vdo for 30 ranks) corresponding to the temperature pulse No.
PT02 corresponding to wn0, Vdown1,..., Vdown29)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a table in which is defined.

This selection is made as follows.

First, the pulse No. obtained by searching the table shown in FIG. And a temperature pulse number corresponding to the internal temperature of the recording head (step S303). Next, the table shown in FIG. 16 is searched using the obtained temperature pulse number as a key, and PT00, PT01, and PTM00 are determined (step S304). Finally, the table shown in FIG. 17 is searched using the obtained temperature pulse No. as a key, and PT02 for 30 ranks is selected.
Set as selection table. Here, the set table is used when PT02 is determined at the timing when the block trigger signal (Trig) is input.

As described above, PT00, PT01,
PT02 and PTM00 are determined, but the compensation pulse (P
TK00) is determined as follows when the recording head is mounted on the carriage.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a compensation pulse (PTK00) setting process when the recording head is mounted.

Here, various tables are set for judging an appropriate voltage drop amount and determining a drive pulse in accordance with the heater resistance of the print head, the ON resistance of the transistor for driving the print element, the wiring resistance, and the like.

According to the flowchart shown in FIG. 18, first, the pulse No. is obtained from the information stored in the EEPROM 205 built in the recording head (step S).
401).

This pulse number becomes key information for searching the LUT stored in the ROM provided in the control circuit of the recording apparatus. The LUT stores information for determining the compensation pulse (PTK00) in association with each of the plurality of pulse numbers. Therefore, this pulse N
The optimum compensation pulse (PTK00) can be selected from o. Note that this L
The UT is composed of three tables as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a table defining the voltage drop amounts of 14 ranks of the pulse current portion corresponding to each pulse No., and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the 11 ranks of the smoothing current portion corresponding to each pulse No. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a table defining a voltage drop amount per minute, and FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a table defining a compensation pulse (PTK00) corresponding to a voltage drop of 30 ranks corresponding to each pulse No. In these figures, it is desirable that the number of ranks of the table be appropriate according to the configuration of the print head and the configuration of the printing apparatus.

The optimal compensation pulse (PTK00) is selected as follows.

First, by searching the table shown in FIG.
A Bit_Vdown table for determining the voltage drop amount of the pulse current portion according to the acquired pulse No. is set (step S402). Subsequently, the table shown in FIG. 20 is searched, and Ave_Vdow for determining the amount of voltage drop of the smoothing current unit according to the acquired pulse No.
An n table is set (step S403). Finally,
The pulse N obtained by searching the table shown in FIG.
o. Set the PTK00 table according to.

As described above, the table to be set is changed according to the pulse number determined by the heater resistance or the like peculiar to each recording head. With such a change, the voltage drop amount is accurately determined based on information unique to each recording head.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, the amount of voltage drop due to the pulse current and the amount of voltage drop due to the smooth current can be determined independently, and the total amount of voltage drop at the drive timing can be accurately determined. Appropriate pulse control according to the amount of drop, that is, the pre-pulse width, the main pulse width, the pulse interval, and the width of the compensation pulse can be determined.

As a result, an appropriate pulse is applied to each recording head, and it is possible to improve the durability of a recording head having a large number of recording elements which are greatly affected by a voltage drop.

[Second Embodiment] <Summary> Here, in a recording head having a plurality of chip configurations and having independent wiring regions and a common wiring region, the amount of voltage drop of each chip due to a pulse current is determined independently. Then, an example in which appropriate pulse control is performed will be described.

In particular, here, a recording head in which a recording element group for ejecting each of four color inks (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) and its logic circuit is composed of four independent chips is exemplified. To explain.

<Power Supply Path and Voltage Drop> FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a power supply path of the recording head according to this embodiment. Here, the chips used for discharging the black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink are referred to as K chip, C chip, M chip, and Y chip, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the recording head, an independent wiring portion A-
There is a common wiring section B commonly provided for four chips, namely, K, AC, and AMay. In the independent wiring section A, a voltage drop occurs as many as the number of simultaneously driven recording elements of each color chip. On the other hand, in the common wiring section B, a voltage drop occurs by the number of simultaneously driven recording elements of all four chips.
Therefore, when the number of simultaneously driven recording elements differs between the four chips, the amount of voltage drop generated up to each chip differs.

<Compensation of Voltage Drop> FIG. 23 is a block diagram for explaining a process of compensating for a voltage drop by a heat pulse according to this embodiment.

According to FIG. 23, the number of simultaneously driven recording elements at the timing when the block trigger signal (Trig) for each chip is input is counted (300 in FIG. 23).
0), the voltage drop amount in the independent pulse current portion for each chip is determined from the count (300 in FIG. 23).
2). On the other hand, the number of recording elements that simultaneously drive all four chips at that timing is counted (300 in FIG. 23).
1) Then, the amount of voltage drop in the common pulse current portion for all chips is determined from the count (300 in FIG. 23).
3).

At the count timing, the number of recording dots in a predetermined number of columns of the four chips is counted (3004 in FIG. 23), and the amount of voltage drop in the smooth current portion is determined from the counted number of recording dots. (3005 in FIG. 23).

Then, the total voltage drop in the power supply wiring of the entire system at the block selection timing is determined from the voltage drops in the independent pulse current section, the common pulse current section and the smoothing current section (3006 in FIG. 23). The pulse to be compensated is determined from the voltage drop amount (FIG. 23)
3007).

<Determination of Voltage Drop and Compensation Pulse Control>
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the processing at the timing when the block trigger signal (Trig) is input.

According to FIG. 24, the block trigger signal (Tr
In the interrupt processing at the timing when ig) is input, first, the number of recording elements simultaneously driven for one chip is counted (step S501). Further, the number of recording elements simultaneously driven over all four chips is counted (step S502).

Subsequently, the amount of voltage drop (Bit_Vdown) in the pulse current portion is obtained from the look-up table (LUT) from the number of recording elements simultaneously driven by one chip counted in step S501 (step S503). Further, the amount of voltage drop (Bit) caused by the pulse current unit is determined based on the number of recording elements simultaneously driven over all four chips counted in step S502.
_All_Vdown) in a lookup table (LU)
T) (step S504).

Subsequently, the voltage drop amount (Ave_Vdown) in the smooth current section is obtained from the LUT based on the dot count of 10 columns counted at the encoder signal output timing of the resolution of 600 dpi (step S505). Next, the amount of voltage drop (Bit_Vdow)
n), (Bit_All_Vdown) and (Ave_V)
Then, the timing (PT02) of applying the main heat pulse is determined from the total voltage drop amount obtained by adding (down) and (down) (step S506).

Finally, the amount of voltage drop (Bit_Vdown)
n), (Bit_All_Vdown) and (Ave_V)
down) is determined from the total voltage drop amount obtained by adding the (Pdown) to the compensation pulse width (PTK00) (step S).
507).

By repeating the above processing for the number of chips, the compensation pulse width (PTK00) and the timing of inputting the main heat pulse (PT02) for each chip are determined.

<Setting of basic pulse and various tables> First
As compared with the embodiment, this embodiment is characterized in that the voltage drop amount (Bit_All_Vdown) due to the pulse current unit is obtained from a look-up table (LUT) from the number of recording elements simultaneously driven over all four chips. , The voltage drop (Bit_Vdown) or (A
In this case, as a process when the recording head is mounted on the recording apparatus, a table for determining the voltage drop amount (Bit_All_Vdown) of the common pulse current portion corresponding to the pulse No. Only the setting will be described.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a table in which the voltage drop amounts of 14 ranks of the common pulse current portion corresponding to each pulse No. are defined.

When the pulse number is obtained from the recording head, a table corresponding to the number is set.

As described above, the table to be set is changed in accordance with the pulse number determined by the heater resistance or the like specific to each recording head. With such a change, the voltage drop amount is accurately determined based on information unique to each recording head.

Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, even when a recording head including a plurality of chips and having an independent wiring portion and a common wiring portion is used, the voltage drop amount in the independent pulse current portion and the common pulse current portion The voltage drop amount and the voltage drop amount in the smoothing current section common to all chips can be accurately determined, and the pulse width to be compensated for each chip can be appropriately determined.

[Third Embodiment] Here, a case will be described in which this recording medium is used during recording using a recording head having a recording medium such as a sub-heater for keeping the temperature separately from the heater for discharging ink.

<Compensation of Voltage Drop> FIG. 26 is a block diagram for explaining a process of compensating for a voltage drop by a heat pulse according to this embodiment. In FIG. 23,
The same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Here, only the elements unique to this embodiment will be described.

According to FIG. 26, it is determined whether or not power is being applied to the sub-heater (4002 in FIG. 26), and the amount of voltage drop of the pulse current portion by the sub-heater is determined (4003 in FIG. 26). The total amount of voltage drop in the power supply wiring of the entire system at the block selection timing is determined from the determined voltage drop amount in the pulse current portion and the smoothed current portion (4006 in FIG. 26), and pulses to be compensated from the total voltage drop amount Is determined (4007 in FIG. 26).

<Determination of Voltage Drop and Compensation Pulse Control>
In this embodiment, in addition to the processing in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the sub-heater is currently ON,
The amount of voltage drop by the sub-heater is determined, and the compensation pulse width (PTK) is determined based on the amount of voltage drop by the sub-heater and the amount of voltage drop in the pulse current section and the smooth current section accompanying ink ejection.
00) and the timing of applying the main heat pulse (PT0
2) is determined.

<Setting of Basic Pulse and Various Tables> First
In addition to the processing according to the embodiment, in this embodiment, the processing when the print head is mounted on the printing apparatus includes a pulse
Set the voltage drop amount of the pulse current part by the sub heater according to No.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a table defining the amount of voltage drop of the pulse current portion by the sub-heater corresponding to the pulse number.

According to this figure, the pulse N
When o. is obtained, the voltage drop amount of the pulse current part by the sub heater corresponding to the number is set.

In this way, the amount of influence by the sub-heater is changed according to the pulse number determined by the heater resistance or the like specific to each recording head. With such a change, the voltage drop amount is accurately determined based on information unique to each recording head.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, the voltage drop amount in the pulse current portion caused by the discharge heater and the voltage drop amount in the pulse current portion caused by the sub-heater are accurately determined, and the pulse width to be compensated is appropriately determined. Can be determined.

In particular, when the recording head according to the present embodiment is used, stable discharge can be performed by keeping the temperature of the sub-heater other than the discharge heater in a low-temperature environment or the like, and when such a sub-heater is used. Also, the amount of voltage drop due to its use is reflected in the pulse width control.

In the above embodiments, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and the liquid contained in the ink tank is ink. It is not limited. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixability and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.

The above-described embodiment is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink even in an ink jet recording system. By using a method in which a change in the state of the ink is caused by energy, 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 can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling to an electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. 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 the 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 a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, not only the recording head of the cartridge type in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment but also the main body of the apparatus can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus. A replaceable chip-type recording head, which enables a simple connection and supply of ink from the apparatus main body, may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above, since the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, and the recording head may be integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of recording heads. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with at least one of full colors by color mixture.

In the above-described embodiment, the description is made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid. However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or lower, it is possible to use an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature. Or, in the ink jet method, generally, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled 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.
It is sufficient that the ink is in a liquid state when the use recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching 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, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may be provided not only as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer but also integrally or separately, a copying apparatus combined with a reader, etc. It may take the form of a facsimile machine having functions.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device comprising one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine) Etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or a computer) of the system or the apparatus. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that this is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0152]

As described above, according to the present invention, when recording is performed using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements driven by a drive current supplied from a power supply unit via a drive current supply path. And estimating a voltage drop amount in a first section between the power supply unit and the charge storage unit in the drive current supply path in which the charge storage unit is provided between the power supply unit and the recording head. Since the amount of voltage drop in the second section between the head and the print head is estimated and the pulse width of the drive current is controlled based on the estimated amount of voltage drop at the timing of driving the printing element, the printing operation is performed. Has an effect that the pulse drop amount of the recording element can be accurately determined, and accordingly, appropriate pulse control can be performed on the recording element.

As a result, the recording element is always driven by being supplied with a drive current having an appropriate pulse width, and an unnecessary excessive current is supplied to the recording element, thereby impairing the durability of the recording element. This contributes to extending the life of the recording element. As a result, a recording device capable of performing stable recording for a long period is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a configuration of a color inkjet recording apparatus that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the recording head 201 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit for controlling each unit of the printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a drive circuit of the recording head according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing drive timings of the recording head shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power supply path of a general inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a parallel circuit which is an equivalent circuit of a power supply circuit voltage when the number of simultaneous ejection nozzles is “N”;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a heat pulse used in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the number of simultaneous ejections and a drive pulse.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional compensation process using a heat pulse for a voltage drop.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a compensation process using a heat pulse for a voltage drop according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing at an encoder signal output timing of a resolution of 600 dpi;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process at a timing when a block trigger signal (Trig) is input.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating pulse setting and table setting processing according to the internal temperature of the print head every 40 ms.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a temperature pulse number table.

FIG. 16 shows PT0 corresponding to a temperature pulse number (No.).
It is a figure showing the table which defined 0, PT01, and PTM00.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a table defining PT02 according to a voltage drop amount for 30 ranks corresponding to a temperature pulse No.

FIG. 18 shows a compensation pulse (PTK0) when the recording head is mounted.
0) It is a flowchart which shows a setting process.

FIG. 19 shows 14 of the pulse current section corresponding to each pulse No.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a table defining voltage drop amounts for ranks.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a table defining voltage drop amounts for 11 ranks of a smoothing current portion corresponding to each pulse No.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a table defining a compensation pulse (PTK00) corresponding to a voltage drop of 30 ranks corresponding to each pulse No.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram illustrating a power supply path of a recording head according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a compensation process using a heat pulse for a voltage drop according to the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process at a timing when a block trigger signal (Trig) is input.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a table defining voltage drop amounts for 14 ranks of a common pulse current portion corresponding to each pulse No.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a compensation process using a heat pulse for a voltage drop according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a table defining a voltage drop amount of a pulse current portion by a sub-heater corresponding to a pulse No.

[Explanation of symbols]

 103 Paper feed roller 104 Auxiliary roller 106 Carriage 107 Recording paper 201 Recording head 202 Head cartridge 203 CR substrate 203a Electrolytic capacitor 205 EEPROM 206 Temperature sensor 400 Interface 401 MPU 402 ROM 403 DRAM 404 Gate array 405 Carriage motor 406 Paper feed motor 407 , 408 Motor driver 409 Head driver

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, comprising: a power supply unit configured to supply a driving current for driving the plurality of recording elements to the recording head; Charge storage means provided in a drive current supply path between a power supply means and the recording head; and a voltage drop amount in a first section between the power supply means and the charge storage means in the drive current supply path A first evaluation unit for estimating a voltage drop; a second evaluation unit for estimating a voltage drop amount in a second section between the charge storage unit and the recording head in the drive current supply path; and driving the recording element. In the timing, the first
And a control means for controlling the pulse width of the drive current based on the voltage drop amount estimated by the second evaluation means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a temporal change of the driving current in the first section is relatively small, and a temporal change of the driving current in the second section is relatively large. Recording device. 3. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first evaluation unit performs recording performed by the recording head in a period in which the electric charge stored in the charge storage unit can supply power required for a recording operation of the recording head. A first counting means for counting the number of dots; and a first determining means for determining a voltage drop amount in a first section based on a count result counted by the first counting means. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first determination unit determines the amount of the voltage drop using a first LUT. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second evaluation unit includes: a second counting unit that counts the number of printing elements that are simultaneously driven in the printing operation of the printing head; and a count result counted by the second counting unit. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second determination unit configured to determine an amount of voltage drop in a second section based on the information. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second determination unit determines the amount of voltage drop using a second LUT. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording head includes a nonvolatile memory for storing characteristic information unique to the recording head. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising setting means for setting optimum information as said first and second LUTs based on characteristic information stored in said nonvolatile memory. Recording device. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit estimates a voltage drop amount in the entire drive current supply path from a voltage drop amount in the first and second sections estimated by the first and second evaluation units, respectively. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a third evaluation unit; and a determination unit that determines an adjustment width of a pulse width based on an evaluation result by the third evaluation unit. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the inkjet recording head includes an electrothermal converter that generates thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to eject the ink using thermal energy. apparatus. 12. The ink jet recording head is a recording head for performing color recording, and includes at least a first recording element group for ejecting yellow ink.
And a second chip having a recording element group for discharging magenta ink, and a third chip having a recording element group for discharging cyan ink.
The recording apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a first chip having a first chip and a fourth chip having a recording element group for discharging black ink. 13. The driving current supply path includes a common section common to the first to fourth chips and the first to fourth chips.
13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first evaluation means estimates a voltage drop amount in each of the common section and the unique section. 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ink jet recording head includes a sub-heater for keeping the head warm. 15. A control device, further comprising: determining means for determining whether the sub-heater has been driven; and fourth evaluating means for estimating a voltage drop due to driving of the sub-heater in accordance with a result of the determination by the determining means. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the means further controls the pulse width of the drive current in consideration of the amount of voltage drop estimated by the fourth evaluation means. 16. A recording control method when performing recording using a recording head having a plurality of recording elements driven by a driving current supplied from a power supply unit via a driving current supply path, wherein A first evaluation for estimating a voltage drop in a first section between the power supply unit and the charge storage unit in the drive current supply path in which a charge storage unit is provided between the unit and the recording head; A second evaluation step of estimating a voltage drop amount in a second section between the charge storage unit and the recording head in the drive current supply path; and a timing of driving the recording element.
And a control step of controlling the pulse width of the drive current based on the voltage drop amount estimated in the second evaluation step. 17. The recording method according to claim 1, wherein the first evaluation step includes: recording performed by the recording head in a recording period that is sufficient for the electric charge stored in the charge storage unit to supply power required for the recording operation of the recording head. A first counting step of counting the number of dots; and a first determining step of determining a voltage drop amount in a first section based on a count result counted in the first counting step. 17. The recording control method according to claim 16, wherein: 18. The second evaluation step includes: a second counting step of counting the number of recording elements that are simultaneously driven in the recording operation of the recording head; and a count result counted in the second counting step. 17. The recording control method according to claim 16, further comprising: a second determination step of determining a voltage drop amount in a second section based on the first and second conditions. 19. The control step comprising: estimating a voltage drop amount in the entire drive current supply path from a voltage drop amount in the first and second sections estimated by the first and second evaluation steps, respectively. 17. The recording control method according to claim 16, comprising: a third evaluation step; and a determining step of determining a pulse width adjustment width based on an evaluation result in the third evaluation step. 20. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is a color inkjet recording head, and at least a first recording element group for discharging yellow ink is provided.
And a second chip having a recording element group for discharging magenta ink, and a third chip having a recording element group for discharging cyan ink.
And a fourth chip including a recording element group for discharging black ink, wherein the drive current supply path includes a common section common to the first to fourth chips, 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a unique section unique to each of the first to fourth chips, wherein the first evaluation step estimates a voltage drop amount in each of the common section and the unique section. 18. Recording control method. 21. When the recording head is an ink jet recording head having a sub-heater for keeping the head warm, a discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the sub-heater is driven; and a discriminating result in the discriminating step. A fourth evaluation step of estimating a voltage drop due to the driving of the sub-heater, wherein the control step further takes into account the voltage drop estimated in the fourth evaluation step. 17. The recording control method according to claim 16, wherein the pulse width is controlled.