JP2004066601A - Recording head and recorder employing it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording head exhibiting a high operational reliability in which recording resolution can be varied without complicating the arrangement on the recorder side, and to provide a recorder employing that recording head. <P>SOLUTION: An M1 bit latch circuit for latching an M1 bit image signal stored in an M1 bit shift register according to an input latch signal performs latching operation when its latch signal and a first enable signal for driving a first group recording elements of (M1×N) are in reverse logic levels. An M2 bit latch circuit for latching an M2 bit image signal stored in an M2 bit shift register according to the same latch signal performs latching operation when its latch signal and a second enable signal for driving a second group recording elements of (M2×N) are in reverse logic levels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording head and a recording apparatus using the recording head, and more particularly to, for example, a recording head according to an ink-jet method for discharging ink using thermal energy and a recording apparatus using the recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A recording head according to an ink jet system that performs recording using thermal energy is provided with a heating element at a portion communicating with an ejection port for ejecting ink droplets, and energizing the heating element for about several microseconds. Bubbles are generated inside and ink droplets are ejected to perform recording. In such a recording head, it is easy to arrange a large number of discharge ports and heating elements at a high density, and thereby, it is possible to perform a high-definition recording image.
[0003]
When all the heating elements of such a recording head are simultaneously driven, the current flowing instantaneously increases. Therefore, usually, several tens to several hundred heating elements are divided into a plurality of blocks, and the driving for each block is performed. Are slightly different from each other so that the current flowing instantaneously can be kept low. Such driving is called time-division driving.
[0004]
In driving a large number of heating elements, a drive circuit for the heating elements is incorporated in the print head so that the number of wirings between the print head and a printing apparatus equipped with the same is not increased. Since this driving circuit incorporates a substrate for a heating element, a Si (silicon) wafer is widely used.
[0005]
There are various configurations of the driving circuit, and a typical configuration is as follows.
[0006]
Each heating element of the recording head is controlled by a block control signal indicating a block number of each heating element and a recording signal corresponding to the block control signal. What encodes the block number here is a block control signal. The value obtained by dividing the total number of heating elements by the total block number is the number of heating elements that can be driven simultaneously. Therefore, if printing is performed using information of one bit per pixel, the number of simultaneously driven heating elements is the number of bits of a recording signal to be input at one time.
[0007]
In order to perform such drive control, the drive circuit is provided with gates and transistors of the same number as the number of heating elements, and provided with shift registers and latch circuits for the number of bits of the input recording signal and the block control signal. Then, a series of serial data composed of the recording signal and the block control signal is serially transferred from the recording device to the shift register, and the shift register is latched. The decoding result of the latched block control signal and the latched recording The transistor is driven through the gate corresponding to the transistor one by one using the signal and the drive signal given for each block.
[0008]
It should be noted that a transistor that conducts electricity to the heating element may be either a bipolar transistor or a MOS-FET.
[0009]
On the other hand, the serial data transferred from the recording device is latched in the latch circuit in response to only the latch signal, and the corresponding serial data and the drive signal given to each block of the heating element cause the corresponding heat generation. Since the element is driven, the transfer timing of the serial data and the drive timing of the heating element can be overlapped temporally.
[0010]
In the case of performing color printing, in order to reduce the number of wires between the print head and a printing apparatus on which the print head is mounted, a black component print signal for discharging black ink and a cyan component for discharging cyan ink are used. And the latch signal for the magenta component recording signal for ejecting magenta ink and the yellow component recording signal for ejecting yellow ink are commonly used.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional driving circuit has the following problems.
[0012]
For example, if the recording resolution of the recording head differs between inks, when the drive signal of the heating element is activated and used while the latch signal is active, the serial data to be latched is the same as the serial data being latched. Since they must be identical, the same serial data must be transferred from the recording device. In order to realize this, the configuration of the circuit that transfers serial data on the recording device becomes complicated, and the current change between ON and OFF of the drive current due to the drive signal of the heating element causes the latch signal and serial data to be output. There is a problem that noise is superimposed and a malfunction may occur.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems with the conventional example, and it is possible to make the recording resolution of the recording head different without complicating the configuration of the recording apparatus, and to improve the operation reliability. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording head having a high recording density and a recording apparatus using the recording head.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a recording head according to the present invention has the following configuration.
[0015]
That is, the (M1 × N) first group of printing elements, the (M2 × N) second group of printing elements, and the first group of printing elements are divided into N blocks each of M1. A first driving circuit for performing time-division driving, a second driving circuit for dividing the second group of recording elements into N blocks each of M2 units and performing time-division driving, and storing an M1-bit image signal. An M1 bit shift register, an M2 bit shift register for storing an M2 bit image signal, an M1 bit latch circuit for latching the M1 bit image signal stored in the M1 bit shift register in accordance with an input latch signal; An M2 bit latch circuit for latching the M2 bit image signal stored in the M2 bit shift register according to a latch signal, wherein M1> M2, and the first drive circuit And the first drive signal generated based on the M1 bit image signal latched by the M1 bit latch circuit and the first enable signal, and the first group recording is performed. The element is time-divisionally driven, and the second drive circuit is generated based on a second block selection signal, the M2 bit image signal latched by the M2 bit latch circuit, and a second enable signal. The second group of recording elements are time-divisionally driven based on the second drive signal, and the M1 bit latch circuit sets the latch signal and the first enable signal to logic levels opposite to each other. The latch operation is performed at a certain time, and the M2 bit latch circuit performs the latch operation when the latch signal and the second enable signal are at opposite logic levels with respect to each other. A recording head according to symptoms.
[0016]
The ratio between M1 and M2 is preferably 2: 1.
[0017]
Then, the M1 bit image signal and the first block selection signal are serially separated as a first data signal, and the M2 bit image signal and the second block selection signal are serially converted as a second data signal. It is desirable to be input.
[0018]
The first driving circuit includes a first decoder that generates a first selection signal for selecting one of the N blocks from the first block selection signal, a first selection signal, and a first selection signal. (M1 × N) AND circuits for calculating a logical product with one drive signal, and (M1 × N) transistors for driving the first group of printing elements in accordance with the outputs of these AND circuits. It is desirable to configure.
[0019]
Similarly, the second driving circuit includes: a second decoder that generates a second selection signal for selecting one of the N blocks from the second block selection signal; (M2 × N) AND circuits for calculating the logical product of the second drive signal and (M2 × N) transistors for driving the second group of printing elements according to the outputs of these AND circuits It is desirable to configure.
[0020]
It is preferable that the recording head is an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink, and in that case, the ink jet recording head uses ink to discharge ink by using thermal energy. It is preferable to include an electrothermal converter for generating the applied heat energy.
[0021]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus using the recording head having the above configuration.
[0022]
Further, the recording device controls the on / off timing of the first and second enable signals, and the change of the logical level of the first and second enable signals indicates the latch operation by the latch signal and the first and second enable signals. It is desirable to further include signal supply means for supplying signals so as not to overlap with the transfer of the second data signal.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
In the embodiment described below, a recording apparatus using an inkjet recording head will be described as an example.
[0025]
In this specification, “record” (sometimes referred to as “print”) refers not only to the formation of significant information such as characters and figures, but also to the perception of human beings, whether significant or insignificant. Irrespective of whether or not it is made obvious so that it is obtained, a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a case where the medium is processed is also described.
[0026]
In addition, the term “recording medium” refers to not only paper used in general recording devices, but also a wide range of materials that can accept ink, such as cloth, plastic films, metal plates, glass, ceramics, wood, and leather. Shall be.
[0027]
Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) is to be interpreted broadly as in the definition of “recording (printing)”, and when applied on a recording medium, an image or pattern , A liquid that can be used for forming a pattern or the like, processing a recording medium, or treating ink (for example, coagulation or insolubilization of a colorant in ink applied to a recording medium).
[0028]
<Schematic description of the device body>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a recording apparatus) IJRA which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, a carriage HC that engages with a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 that rotates via driving force transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Then, it is supported by the guide rail 5003 and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b. On the carriage HC, an integrated type ink jet cartridge IJC containing a recording head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the recording paper P against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which are home position detectors for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the print head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction device that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the print head through an opening 5023 in the cap.
[0030]
Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 5021 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0031]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If the above operation is performed, any of the embodiments can be applied.
[0032]
<Description of control configuration>
Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the printer IJRA.
[0034]
In the figure showing the control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a print signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a program ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is various data (supplied to the print signal and the print head IJH). This is a DRAM for storing recording data and the like. A gate array (GA) 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head IJH, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head IJH, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.
[0035]
The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a print signal enters the interface 1700, the print signal is converted into print data for printing between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead IJH is driven in accordance with the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.
[0036]
<Embodiment of Recording Head IJH>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the recording head IJH used in the recording apparatus IJRA having the above configuration will be described.
[0037]
The recording head IJH of the embodiment described below has 128 recording elements for ejecting black ink, and these are divided into eight blocks (the number of divisions (N) is 16) by 16 each. One printing element is selected from each block (total of eight printing elements) and driven simultaneously (the number of simultaneously driven printing elements (M) is eight). Further, in order to discharge three color inks of cyan ink, magenta ink and yellow ink, each has 64 recording elements, and is divided into four blocks of 16 (the division number (N) is 16). In this configuration, one printing element is selected from each block (a total of four printing elements) and driven simultaneously (the number of simultaneously driven printing elements (M) is 4). Accordingly, the print head IJH has a total of 320 printing elements, 128 for printing with black ink and 192 for printing with color ink.
[0038]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the nozzle configuration of the print head IJH according to this embodiment.
[0039]
Various configurations of ink discharge nozzles (hereinafter, nozzles) for discharging ink using these recording elements can be considered. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. , Magenta ink, and yellow ink, each having three rows of 64 nozzles (C nozzle, M nozzle, Y nozzle), and 64 nozzles (Bk nozzles) for discharging black ink. Consider a configuration in which a total of five columns are arranged. The nozzle rows for ejecting black ink are arranged with a shift of a half pitch in the nozzle arrangement direction.
[0040]
Accordingly, in a print head using such a nozzle configuration, printing with black ink can be performed at twice the resolution of printing with color ink. For example, when performing black-and-white printing with black ink, high-resolution printing is performed using 64 × 2 rows of nozzles, and when performing color printing with black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, The same resolution printing is performed for all colors using nozzles of one row and 64 × 4 rows for each ink.
[0041]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a drive circuit of the printhead IJH according to this embodiment.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 4, drive circuits 301 and 302 are provided as drive circuits for driving 128 printing elements for printing with black ink and 192 printing elements for printing with color ink, respectively. I have.
[0043]
The drive circuit 302 includes drive circuits 303, 304, and 305 that drive 64 printing elements for printing with cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, respectively. Note that the drive circuits 303 to 305 have the same circuit configuration.
[0044]
A clock signal (CK), a latch signal (LATCH), a power supply voltage (VH) supply line, and a ground potential (GH) are connected to both of the driving circuits 301 and 302.
[0045]
In FIG. 4, DATA-BK, DATA-C, DATA-M, and DATA-Y indicate a black component, a cyan component, a magenta component, and a yellow component, respectively, of the color print data signal. , The driving circuit 303, the driving circuit 304, and the driving circuit 305. ENB-BK and ENB-CL are enable signals for performing printing with black ink and color ink, respectively. These signals are also supplied to the drive circuit 301, the drive circuit 303, the drive circuit 304, and the drive circuit 305, respectively. Is entered. An enable signal for performing printing with cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink is common as shown by ENB-CL.
[0046]
Therefore, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, ten signal lines (DATA-BK / DATA-C / DATA-M) including the supply line for the power supply voltage (VH) and the signal line for the ground voltage (GH). / DATA-Y, CK, ENB-BK / ENB-CL, LATCH, VH, GH) are supplied from the head driver 1705 of the printing apparatus IJRA.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the drive circuit 301.
[0048]
The black component signal (DATA-BK) of the color recording data signal shown in FIG. 5 is an 8-bit image signal (D1 _BK ~ D8 _BK ) Followed by a 4-bit block control signal (B1 _BK ~ B4 _BK ).
[0049]
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 108 denotes a 4-bit shift register that serially inputs a black component signal (DATA-BK) according to a clock signal (CK), and reference numeral 105 denotes an image signal (D1) shifted and output from the shift register 108 according to the clock signal (CK). _BK ~ D8 _BK ) Is input serially, and 109 is a 4-bit shift register 108 stored in the 4-bit shift register 108 by a signal (LT) output from the AND circuit 111 in accordance with the latch signal (LATCH) and the enable signal (ENB-BK). Minute block control signal (B1 _BK ~ B4 _BK ), And an image signal (D1) for 8 bits stored in the 8-bit shift register 105 according to the output signal (LT) from the AND circuit 111. _BK ~ D8 _BK ) Is an AND circuit 107 for calculating the logical product of the enable signal (ENB-BK) and each bit of the 8-bit image signal latched by the 8-bit latch circuit 106.
[0050]
Reference numeral 110 denotes a 4-bit block control signal (B1) latched by the 4-bit latch circuit 109. _BK ~ B4 _BK ) Is input and decoded, and a 16-bit block selection signal (N1 _BK ~ N16 _BK ), A 4 → 16 decoder, H1 _BK ~ H128 _BK Is a heating element, T1 _BK ~ T128 _BK Is the heating element H1 _BK ~ H128 _BK Power transistor, A1 _BK ~ A128 _BK Is the power transistor T1 _BK ~ T128 _BK Is an AND circuit corresponding to.
[0051]
AND circuit A1 _BK ~ A128 _BK Is the output signal of the AND circuit 107 (D1 _BK ~ D8 _BK ) And the block selection signal (N1) output from the 4 → 16 decoder 110. _BK ~ N16 _BK ) Is calculated to determine the drive timing and pulse width of the heating element.
[0052]
In the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the enable signal (ENB-BK) operates by negative logic. That is, when the enable signal (ENB-BK) is at the “low” level, the heating element is driven.
[0053]
Next, a description will be given of a drive circuit for driving a printing element for printing with color ink. Since the three drive circuits have the same circuit configuration as described above, a cyan component signal ( Only the driving circuit 303 for inputting DATA-C) will be described.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the driving circuit 303.
[0055]
The cyan component signal (DATA-C) is a 4-bit image signal (D1) continuous for four pixels. _C ~ D4 _C ) Followed by a 4-bit block control signal (B1 _C ~ B4 _C ).
[0056]
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 208 denotes a 4-bit shift register that serially inputs a cyan component signal (DATA-C) according to a clock signal (CK), and 205 denotes an image signal (D1) shifted and output from the shift register 208 according to the clock signal (CK). _C ~ D8 _C ) Is input serially, and 209 is a 4-bit shift register 208 stored in the 4-bit shift register 208 by the signal (LT) output from the AND circuit 211 according to the latch signal (LATCH) and the enable signal (ENB-BK). Minute block control signal (B1 _C ~ B4 _C ) Latches the image signal (D1) of 4 bits stored in the 4-bit shift register 205 in accordance with the output signal (LT) from the AND circuit 211. _C ~ D4 _C ) Is an AND circuit 207 for calculating the logical product of the enable signal (ENB-BK) and each bit of the 4-bit image signal latched by the 4-bit latch circuit 206.
[0057]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a 4-bit block control signal (B1) latched by the 4-bit latch circuit 209. _C ~ B4 _C ) Is input and decoded, and a 16-bit block selection signal (N1 _C ~ N16 _C ), A 4 → 16 decoder, H1 _C ~ H64 _C Is a heating element, T1 _C ~ T64 _C Is the heating element H1 _C ~ H64 _C Power transistor, A1 _C ~ A64 _C Is the power transistor T1 _C ~ T64 _C Is an AND circuit corresponding to.
[0058]
AND circuit A1 _C ~ A64 _C Is the output signal of the AND circuit 207 (D1 _C ~ D4 _C ) And the block selection signal (N1) output from the 4 → 16 decoder 210. _C ~ N16 _C ) Is calculated to determine the drive timing and pulse width of the heating element.
[0059]
Note that, also in the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the enable signal (ENB-CL) operates with negative logic. That is, the heating element is driven when the enable signal (ENB-CL) is at the "low" level.
[0060]
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the drive timing of the drive circuits 301 and 303 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.
[0061]
In FIG. 7, reference numerals 401 to 405 and 406 to 410 denote signal sequences of a black component signal (DATA-BK) and a cyan component signal (DATA-C), respectively, and an enable signal (ENB-BK) and an enable signal (ENB- CL), the drive current (IH-BK) and the drive current (IH-C) corresponding to the signal trains 401, 403, 405, and 406 to 410 are turned on and flow. Are shown, and the heating element drives the heating element.
[0062]
On the other hand, the signal strings 402 and 404 are not latched by the 8-bit latch circuit 106 and the 4-bit latch circuit 109, respectively. This is because the latch conditions in these latch circuits are that the latch signal (LATCH) is at a "low" level and the enable signal (ENB-BK) is at a "high" level. According to the time chart shown, the latch signal (LATCH) is at the "low" level and the enable signal (ENB-BK) is also at the "low" level after the input of the signal strings 402 and 404. is there.
[0063]
Therefore, a drive current corresponding to the input of these image signals does not flow to the heating element. In other words, the input of the signal sequence 402 and the signal sequence 404 becomes unnecessary from the viewpoint of the recording operation.
[0064]
Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the number of data transfers of the black component signal (DATA-BK) is half the number of data transfers of the cyan component signal (DATA-C). This can be said to be the same when the magenta component signal (DATA-M), which is another component signal, and the yellow component signal (DATA-Y) are compared.
[0065]
Therefore, even in the case of performing color printing, the printing apparatus transfers the black component signal (DATA-BK) of the color image signal in the same manner as in the case of performing black and white printing by discharging ink using all 128 Bk nozzles. In order to eject ink from each of the 64 C nozzles, M nozzles, and Y nozzles, the cyan component signal (DATA-C), the magenta component signal (DATA-M), and the yellow component signal (DATA-Y) are used. If a common latch signal is used for these four component signals, half of the black component signal (DATA-BK) is automatically thinned out on the recording head side, and only one half of the heating element is driven. . As a result, during color printing, printing is performed at the same resolution from the Bk nozzle, C nozzle, M nozzle, and Y nozzle.
[0066]
In this case, from the printing apparatus side, as the black component signal (DATA-BK), for example, all the image signals of the signal sequence 402 and the signal sequence 404 are all transmitted by dummy transmission of “0”, and other recording is performed. Since it is not necessary to consider the control and the transfer control, these controls on the recording apparatus side are not complicated, and the circuit configuration related thereto can be simplified.
[0067]
Since only the Bk nozzle and the 128 corresponding printing elements are driven during monochrome printing, the latch signal is necessarily a dedicated signal for latching the black component signal (DATA-BK). It is not necessary to be conscious of driving the heating element for recording. Then, when the latch signal (LATCH) is at the "low" level, the enable signal (ENB-BK) may be set to the "high" level to latch all the signal strings.
[0068]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the enable signal changes from the "low" level to the "high" level, or when the enable signal changes from the "high" level to the "low" level, the image latched. If the signal input and the latch signal do not overlap with the "low" level, a change in the drive current of the heating element does not affect the image signal and the latch signal, preventing malfunction of the print head. And reliability is improved.
[0069]
For this reason, in the MPU 1701 of the printing apparatus, the change in the logic level of the enable signal (ENB-BK) and the enable signal (ENB-C) should not overlap with the latch operation by the latch signal (LATCH) or the transfer of color image signal data. The signal is supplied.
[0070]
In any case, in printing using a black component signal (DATA-BK) that can be printed at two resolutions, no special data transfer circuit considering the difference in these resolutions is required on the printing apparatus side, and the enable signal is not required. It is only necessary to control the on / off timing and the setting of the content of the image signal to be different. For this purpose, the MPU 1701 of the printing apparatus controls the ON / OFF timing of the enable signal (ENB-BK). In the case of color printing, it goes without saying that on / off timing control of the enable signal (ENB-C) is performed.
[0071]
Further, according to the time chart shown in FIG. 7, since the transfer timing of the image signal and the drive timing by the enable signal overlap in time, the transfer timing interval and the drive timing interval can be shortened by that much, and the recording apparatus IJRA Recording speed can be improved.
[0072]
In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the color image data signals (DATA-BK, DATA-C) are generated at both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal (CK). , 8-bit shift register 105, 4-bit shift register 108, 4-bit shift register 205, and 4-bit shift register 208, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a color image data signal may be captured in synchronization with only the rising edge or the falling edge of the clock signal (CK). Further, the configuration of the shift register may be configured by a flip-flop circuit that operates in synchronization with the edge of the clock signal (CK) to a latch circuit configured by a through latch.
[0073]
Similarly, the configuration of the 8-bit latch circuit 106, the 4-bit latch circuit 109, the 4-bit latch circuit 206, and the 4-bit latch circuit 209 may be changed from a latch configuration to a flip-flop configuration. The latch condition may be synchronized with the rising edge or falling edge of the latch signal if a flip-flop circuit configuration is employed.
[0074]
Further, instead of the AND gates 107 and 207 described in the above embodiments, the block selection signal (N1) output from the 4 → 16 decoders 110 and 210 is used. _BK ~ N16 _BK , N1 _C ~ N16 _C ) And an enable signal (ENB-BK, ENB-CL) may be provided with an AND gate, and a block selection signal (N1) output from the 4 → 16 decoders 110 and 210 may be provided. _BK ~ N16 _BK , N1 _C ~ N16 _C ) And an enable signal (ENB-BK, ENB-CL) and the output of the 8-bit latch circuit 106 and the 4-bit latch circuit 206 are ANDed with the AND circuit A1. _BK ~ A128 _BK , A1 _C ~ A64 _C May be calculated by using a three-input circuit configuration.
[0075]
Further, the assignment of the image signal and the block control signal to the color image data signal described in the above embodiment may be configured in any manner other than the described configuration.
[0076]
Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the description has been made assuming that the liquid droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and the liquid contained in the ink tank is ink, but the contained matter is limited to ink. Not something. 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 a recorded image or to improve the image quality.
[0077]
The above-described embodiment includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for causing ink to be ejected, particularly in an ink jet recording system. By using a method that causes a change in the state, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.
[0078]
Regarding the typical configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the nucleate boiling, to generate heat energy in the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the recording head to emit heat energy. This is effective in that film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. 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 in 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.
[0079]
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 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.
[0080]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid flow path or the right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit, may be adopted.
[0081]
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 satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either the configuration or the configuration as one recording head integrally formed may be used.
[0082]
In addition, not only the cartridge-type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, but also the electric connection with the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head that can supply ink from the apparatus main body may be used.
[0083]
Further, 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 sucking 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.
[0084]
Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The device may be provided with at least one of the full colors.
[0085]
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid.However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or below, an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Alternatively, in the ink jet system, 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 if the ink is sometimes in a liquid state.
[0086]
In addition, to prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating, the ink solidifies in a standing state. Alternatively, ink that liquefies by heating 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, 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.
[0087]
In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may include, as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, an integrated or separate apparatus, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception function. It may take the form of a facsimile machine.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, only by changing the on / off timing of the first enable signal from the printing apparatus, the printing elements to be driven among the (M1 × N) printing elements belonging to the first group. And the recording resolution can be easily changed.
[0089]
Further, by controlling the change in the logical level of the first and second enable signals from the recording apparatus so as not to overlap with the latch operation by the latch signal and the transfer of the first and second data signals, the latch signal and the No noise is superimposed on the image signal, and malfunction of the recording head is prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an outline of a configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus IJRA according to a typical embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the inkjet recording apparatus IJRA.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a nozzle configuration of a print head IJH.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive circuit of a printhead IJH.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a drive circuit 301.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a driving circuit 303.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing drive timings of the drive circuits 301 and 303 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively.
[Explanation of symbols]
1700 interface
1701 MPU
1702 ROM
1703 RAM
1704 Gate array (GA)
1705 Head driver
IJH recording head

Claims (10)

(M1 × N) first group of recording elements;
(M2 × N) second group of recording elements;
A first driving circuit that divides the first group of printing elements into N blocks each of M1 pieces and performs time-division driving;
A second drive circuit that divides the second group of print elements into N blocks each of M2 pieces and performs time-division driving;
An M1 bit shift register for storing an M1 bit image signal;
An M2-bit shift register that stores an M2-bit image signal;
An M1 bit latch circuit for latching the M1 bit image signal stored in the M1 bit shift register according to an input latch signal;
An M2 bit latch circuit for latching the M2 bit image signal stored in the M2 bit shift register according to the input latch signal;
M1> M2,
The first drive circuit includes a first block selection signal, a first drive signal generated based on the M1 bit image signal latched by the M1 bit latch circuit, and a first enable signal. Based on the time-division driving of the first group of recording elements,
The second drive circuit includes a second block select signal, a second drive signal generated based on the M2 bit image signal latched by the M2 bit latch circuit, and a second enable signal. Based on the time-division driving of the second group of recording elements,
The M1 bit latch circuit performs a latch operation when the latch signal and the first enable signal are at logic levels opposite to each other,
The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the M2-bit latch circuit performs a latch operation when the latch signal and the second enable signal are at logic levels opposite to each other. 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between M1 and M2 is 2: 1. The M1 bit image signal and the first block selection signal are serially as a first data signal, and the M2 bit image signal and the second block selection signal are serially as a second data signal. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is input separately. The first drive circuit includes:
A first decoder for generating a first selection signal for selecting one of the N blocks from the first block selection signal;
(M1 × N) AND circuits for calculating the logical product of the first selection signal and the first drive signal;
2. The printhead according to claim 1, further comprising (M1 * N) transistors for driving the first group of print elements according to an output of the AND circuit. The second driving circuit includes:
A second decoder for generating a second selection signal for selecting one of the N blocks from the second block selection signal;
(M2 × N) AND circuits for calculating the logical product of the second selection signal and the second drive signal;
2. The printhead according to claim 1, further comprising (M2 * N) transistors for driving the second group of print elements according to an output of the AND circuit. The printhead according to claim 1, wherein the printhead is an inkjet printhead that performs printing by discharging ink. 7. The recording head according to claim 6, wherein the inkjet recording head includes an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to discharge the ink using thermal energy. . A recording apparatus using the recording head according to claim 1. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising control means for controlling on / off timings of said first and second enable signals. Signal supply means for supplying a signal so that a change in a logical level of the first enable signal and the second enable signal does not overlap with a latch operation by the latch signal or transfer of the first and second data signals. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

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