JP2009143171A - Driving circuit, driving device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a driving circuit restrained from its heat generation by dispersing the driving timing of a recording element, and a driving device and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A basic driving waveform signal AMP with continuous basic waveform is output from an amplifier 54. A shift register 24 for ENA transfer is a 16-bit register corresponding to nozzles 150 for every bit. 256 nozzles 150 are driven while shifting at timing of clock signals CLK<1> for every block (16 blocks). A multiplexer 26 selects and outputs one of driving waveform selection signals ENA<3:0> transferred from the shift register 24 for ENA transfer, based on an image data signal DATA<1:0>. A driver circuit 30 is configured to put output in a high impedance state when the logic of the driving waveform selection signal ENA selected and output in the multiplexer 26 is "0" and to output the basic driving waveform signal AMP as it is when the logic is "1". <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a drive circuit, a drive device, and an image forming apparatus.

  Generally, there are an analog driving method and a digital driving method for driving the print head of the image forming apparatus. In the case of an analog drive method, one or more recording element drive waveforms are generated by an amplifier or the like provided outside the print head, and a drive circuit (drive IC) provided in the print head selects a drive waveform or the like. And applied to the recording element.

  On the other hand, in the digital drive system, the control circuit can be made smaller and more multifunctional than the analog drive system.

As a digital drive method, a technique for selecting a waveform corresponding to the weight of an ink droplet ejected from a drive signal including a different waveform is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Also, a drive signal is generated by connecting a plurality of types of drive pulses whose waveforms are optimized for each recording block set for each type of ink, and a drive pulse is selected from the drive signal, and the corresponding recording is performed. A technique for supplying the block is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2). In addition, a drive signal including a plurality of drive waveforms having the same waveform shape with different drive timings is generated, and a drive waveform determined so as to correspond to each of a plurality of groups is selected and input to nozzles of nozzle rows included in the group. The technique to do is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 3). Furthermore, a technique is disclosed in which a plurality of types of basic waveform data are generated and the basic waveform voltage boosted to different voltage levels is switched in accordance with an input selection signal (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
JP 2000-52560 A JP 2001-219558 A JP 2001-246738 A JP 2006-88428 A

  In the digital driving method, due to heat generation of the driving circuit, there is a case where a change occurs in image formation due to destruction of the driving circuit itself or a change in temperature characteristics of a recording element in the vicinity.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a drive circuit, a drive device, and an image forming apparatus that can suppress heat generation of the drive circuit by dispersing drive timings of recording elements.

  In order to achieve the above object, the drive circuit according to claim 1 has a continuous basic waveform for driving a recording element for ejecting recording droplets onto a recording medium in order to form an image based on image data. A delay means for outputting a drive waveform selection signal for selecting at least a part of the basic waveform at a plurality of different timings, and the drive waveform selection signal output from the delay means and the drive waveform And control means for controlling the drive of the recording element based on the above.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the driving circuit according to the first aspect, the control means controls the driving of the recording element based on a logical product of the driving waveform selection signal and the driving waveform. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the driving circuit according to the first or second aspect, the driving waveform selection signal includes a plurality of types of driving waveform selection signals, and the plurality of types of driving waveforms selected from the delay means. Selecting means for selecting any one of the drive waveform selection signals based on the image data, the control means of the recording element based on the drive waveform selection signal selected by the selection means and the drive waveform; The drive is controlled.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the driving circuit according to the third aspect, the selection unit is configured based on the image data so that the number of recording elements driven by the same basic waveform is reduced. The drive waveform selection signal is selected.

  A drive circuit according to a fifth aspect is the drive circuit according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising storage means for storing the drive waveform selection signal.

  The driving device according to claim 6 generates a driving waveform in which basic waveforms for driving recording elements for discharging recording droplets onto a recording medium in order to form an image based on image data are continuously formed. 6. The drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the recording element is driven based on a waveform generation unit, the drive waveform selection signal, and a drive waveform generated by the drive waveform generation unit. And prepared.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a recording element for discharging recording droplets onto a recording medium to form an image based on image data, and the recording element are driven. The drive device according to claim 6, comprising the drive circuit according to claim 5.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the drive timing of the recording elements can be dispersed, there is an effect that heat generation of the drive circuit can be suppressed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the control is performed based on the logical product of the drive waveform selection signal and the drive waveform, there is an effect that the control can be performed easily and accurately.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that heat generation can be further suppressed as compared with a case where a plurality of types of drive waveform selection signals are not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the number of recording elements that are driven simultaneously is minimized, the current concentration can be further suppressed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the driving speed can be further increased as compared with a case in which a storage unit is provided outside.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a drive device including a drive circuit that can suppress heat generation of the drive circuit by dispersing the drive timing of the recording elements.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus including a driving device including a driving circuit that can suppress heat generation of the driving circuit by dispersing the driving timing of the recording elements. Have

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a paper feed cassette 102, a feed roll 104, a first transport path 106, a first transport path pair 108, a second transport path 110, a second transport path pair 112, a discharge tray 113, The reversing conveyance path 114, the driving roll 120, the driven roll 122, the conveyance belt 124, the nip roll 126, the recording head 130, the ink tank 132, and the driving device 50 are provided.

  The paper feed cassette 102 accommodates the recording medium P. A feed roll 104 is disposed at the upper end of the front end side (left end side in FIG. 1) of the paper feed cassette 102, and the recording medium P is taken out from the paper feed cassette 102 by being pressed against the front end side of the upper surface of the recording medium P. .

  The first transport path 106 is for transporting the recording medium P from the paper feed cassette 102 to the recording head 130 for forming an image, and a plurality of first transport roll pairs for nipping and transporting the recording medium P. 20 is provided.

  The discharge tray 113 accommodates the recording medium P on which the image has been formed, and the second transport path 1100 is for transporting the recording medium P on which the image has been formed to the discharge tray 113. The second transport path 110 is provided with a plurality of second transport roll pairs 116. In the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the reverse conveyance path 114 for performing double-sided printing is connected from the second conveyance path 110 to the first conveyance path 106.

  With the above configuration, the recording medium P taken out from the paper feed cassette 102 by the feed roll 104 is transported through the first transport path 106 by the plurality of first transport roll pairs 110, and image formation is performed by the recording head 130. The recording medium P on which the image is formed is transported through the second transport path 110 by a plurality of transport roll pairs 116 and is discharged to the discharge tray 113. When performing double-sided printing, the recording medium P on which single-sided printing has been performed is transported from the second transport path 110 to the first transport path 106 via the reverse transport path 114, and image formation is performed again by the recording head 130. .

  The endless transport belt 124 is wound around a drive roll 120 disposed on the upstream side in the paper transport direction and a driven roll 122 disposed on the downstream side. The conveyor belt 124 is circulated and driven (rotated) in the direction of arrow A (clockwise) in FIG. A nip roll 126 is disposed on the drive roll 120.

  The recording head 130 is disposed above the transport belt 124. In the present embodiment, as an example, a length in which an effective recording area is equal to or greater than the width of the recording medium P (the length in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction). Although it is a scale, it is not limited to this, and may be a short one. The recording head 130 is transported by four recording heads 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K that respectively eject four colors of ink of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (black, K). Arranged along the direction, a full-color image can be recorded.

  The recording head 130 faces the flat portion 124F of the conveyance belt 124, and this facing area is an ejection area where ink droplets and processing liquid are ejected from the recording head 130. The recording medium P transported through the first transport path 106 is held by the transport belt 124, reaches this discharge area, and faces the recording head 130, and ink droplets and processing according to image information from the recording head 130. Liquid is attached.

  In each of the recording heads 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K, ink tanks 132Y, 132M, 132C, and 132K that supply the respective inks are disposed above.

  A specific example of the recording head 130 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the recording head 130. As an example, the recording head 130 includes 256 recording elements (nozzles 150) (details will be described later). In the recording head 130 shown in FIG. 2, the nozzles 150 are arranged in a line. Not limited to this, the nozzles 150 are alternately arranged in a two-dimensional array in a zigzag manner, or short recording heads (module, not shown) including a plurality of nozzles 150 are arranged in a two-dimensional array in an alternating manner. It may be what has been done. The number of recording elements is not limited to this embodiment.

  Further, a plurality of recording heads 130 may be provided for each of C, M, Y, and K colors. Further, each recording head 130 may include each nozzle 150C, M, Y, and K that ejects ink of each color of C, M, Y, and K.

  A specific example of the recording element 140 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the recording element 140. In the present embodiment, a piezo element (PZT) is used as an example of the recording element 140. The recording element 140 includes an ink storage chamber 142 that stores ink, an ink pressure chamber 146 that communicates with the ink storage chamber 142 via the ink supply path 144, a vibration plate 148 that constitutes a part of the wall surface of the ink pressure chamber 146, A piezoelectric element 152 bonded to the vibration plate 148 and a nozzle 150 communicating with the ink pressure chamber 146 are included.

  The ink pressure chamber 146 is filled with ink supplied from the ink storage chamber 142 via the ink supply path 144. When a driving voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element 152, the piezoelectric element 152 is deformed to vibrate the diaphragm 148, and the vibration of the diaphragm 148 propagates in the ink pressure chamber 146 as a pressure wave. As a result, the ink in the ink pressure chamber 146 is ejected as ink droplets from the nozzle 150 communicating with the ink pressure chamber 146.

  Each of the recording heads 130Y, 130M, 130C, and 130K is connected to the driving device 50.

  A specific example of the driving device 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the driving device 50. The drive device 50 of the present embodiment includes a drive waveform output unit 52, a controller 56, a storage unit 58, and a drive IC (drive circuit) 10.

  The drive waveform output unit 52 includes an amplifier 54, and generates and outputs a basic drive waveform (basic drive waveform signal AMP, which will be described later in detail) in which the basic waveform is continuous. The controller 56 outputs an image data signal DATA, a control signal for the drive IC 10 (clock signal CLK and latch signal LAT, details will be described later), and a drive waveform selection signal ENA (details will be described later). The storage unit 58 stores a control signal for the drive IC 10, a drive waveform selection signal ENA, and the like. The drive IC 10 generates and outputs a desired drive waveform to the nozzle 150 of each recording element 140 based on the basic drive waveform signal AMP and the output signal of the controller 52.

Next, specific examples and operations of the drive IC 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration inside the drive IC 10. The drive IC 10 includes an image data signal DATA transfer shift register (DATA transfer shift register) 20 _{1 to 256} , latches 22 _{1 to 256} , a drive waveform selection signal ENA transfer shift register (ENA transfer shift) that is a 16-bit shift register. Registers) 24 _{1 to 16} , multiplexers 26 _{1 to 256} , level shifters 28 _{1 to 256} , driver circuits 30 _{1 to 256} , and pads 32 ₁ to ₂₅₆ .

  Each pad 32 is connected to the nozzle circuit of the recording element 140, and outputs a drive signal to each recording element 140. In this embodiment, as an example, 256 recording elements 140 (nozzles 150) are provided, so that the DATA transfer shift register 20, the latch 22, the multiplexer 26, the level shifter 28, the driver circuit 30, and the pad 32 are each provided. 256 are provided. Since the ENA transfer shift register 24 is a 16-bit shift register, it has 16 (details will be described later).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a drive sequence of the drive IC 10 of the present embodiment. Although FIG. 6 shows up to the third block, in the present embodiment, there are 16 blocks (details will be described later).

  During one printing cycle, when the latch signal LAT is “1”, the clock signal CLK <0> is input from the controller 56 256 times. The image data signal DATA <1: 0> is a 2-bit signal and is input to the DATA transfer shift register 20 using both rising and falling edges of the clock signal CLK <0>. When the latch signal LAT is “0”, the image data signal DATA input to each DATA transfer shift register 20 is input to the LAT 22. As a result, the image data signal DATA serially input from the controller 56 to the drive IC 10 is converted in parallel.

  The basic drive waveform signal AMP is a signal having a continuous basic waveform, and is periodically output from the amplifier 54.

  The drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0> is a 4-bit signal and is input to the ENA transfer shift register 24 using the falling edge of the clock signal CLK <1>. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the clock signal CLK <1> is input from the controller 56 outside the drive IC 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the clock signal CLK <0> is divided. It may be generated inside the drive IC 10 by going around. There is no limitation as long as the clock signal is synchronized with the basic drive waveform signal AMP.

Since the drive waveform selection signals ENA <3: 0> are 4-bit signals, the ENA transfer shift register 24 has four columns. Each ENA transfer shift register 24 is a 16-bit (16-stage) shift register, and 16 nozzle circuits are connected to each bit (stage) as shown in FIG. Therefore, 16 multiplexers 26 are connected to one ENA transfer shift register 24. More specifically, multiplexers 26 _{1 to} 26 ₁₆ are connected to the ENA transfer shift register 24 _1. Yes.

  That is, 256 nozzles 150 (recording elements 140) form 16 blocks as shown in FIG. 7, and are time-division driven for each block while shifting at the timing of the clock signal CLK <1>.

  Note that the image data signal DATA input in the nth print cycle is applied in the (n + 1) th print cycle. In the first printing cycle, only the DATA signal necessary in the second printing cycle is input. The second print cycle includes input of the image data signal DATA necessary for the third print cycle, input of the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0>, transfer of the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0>, and drive waveform. Then, printing (image formation) is performed using the generated driving waveform. Thereafter, in the nth print cycle, the input of the image data signal DATA necessary for the (n + 1) th print cycle, the input of the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0>, and the transfer of the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0>. And generation of a drive waveform. In the final print cycle, for example, an input of an image data signal DATA indicating that there is no image to be formed (no image is formed) and a drive waveform selection for performing printing using the image data signal DATA input in the previous print cycle. Input of signals ENA <3: 0>, transfer of drive waveform selection signals ENA <3: 0>, and generation of drive waveforms are performed.

  In the nth print cycle (n ≧ 2), the image data signal DATA <1: 0> for the nth print cycle, which is input in the previous print cycle and stored in the latch 22, is the control terminal of the multiplexer 26 shown in FIG. To enter. In this embodiment, since the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0> is a 4-bit signal, the 4to1 multiplexer 26 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the multiplexer 26 is a bit of the drive waveform selection signal ENA. Anything that matches the number is acceptable.

  The multiplexer 26 selects one of the drive waveform selection signals ENA <3: 0> transferred from the ENA transfer shift register 24 according to the selection logic shown in FIG. 9 and the image data signal DATA <1> and the image. Select and output based on the data signal DATA <0>.

  The level shifter 28 boosts the voltage level of the drive waveform selection signal ENA selected and output by the multiplexer 26 and outputs it to the control terminal of the driver circuit 30.

  The driver circuit 30 is an analog switch circuit, and examples thereof include a transmission gate. The input terminal of the driver circuit 30 is connected to the amplifier 54, the output terminal is connected to the pad 32, and the logic is as shown in FIG.

  When the logic of the drive waveform selection signal ENA selected and output by the multiplexer 26 is “0” (the output of the multiplexer 26 is “0”), the driver circuit 30 is in an off state, that is, the output is in a high impedance state, and driving When the logic of the waveform selection signal ENA is “1” (the output of the multiplexer 26 is “H (high)”), the driver circuit 30 is in an on state, that is, the basic drive waveform signal AMP is output as it is. In this way, the driver circuit 30 can extract a necessary portion (a desired number of basic waveforms) from the basic drive waveform signal AMP by the logic of the drive waveform selection signal ENA.

A specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC 10 is shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 11, the drive waveform selection signal ENA <1> is a signal that is “1” for three basic waveforms in the clock signal CLK <1> (not shown). No. 1, no. 17, no. 33, and no. When the image data signal DATA <1> of ₄₉ nozzles 150 (nozzles 150 ₁ , 150 ₁₇ , 150 ₃₃ , and 150 ₄₉ ) is “0” and the image data signal DATA <0> is “1”, the multiplexer In 26, the drive waveform selection signal ENA <1> is selected and output according to the logic shown in FIG. That is, the nozzles 150 ₁ , 150 ₁₇ , 150 ₃₃ , and 150 ₄₉ select the same drive waveform selection signal ENA.

The nozzle 150 ₁ The first block, the nozzle _{150 17} Second block, because the nozzle _{150 33} belonging to the third block, the nozzle _{150 49} belong respectively to the fourth block, the different blocks, FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, a drive waveform is generated and output at a timing shifted by one clock signal CLK <1>, and driven by this.

  In this way, in the specific example of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11, even when the same drive waveform selection signal ENA is selected, the drive timing is shifted between the nozzles 150 belonging to different blocks, so that the current flows timing. Is distributed. Therefore, heat generation of the drive IC 10 can be suppressed. 11 is a mask period in which the output of the driver circuit 30 is in a high impedance state, and therefore no current flows.

  FIG. 12 shows another specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC 10. In the case shown in FIG. 12, the drive waveform selection signals ENA <0> and ENA <3> are large droplets and three-shot (driving three times), and the drive waveform selection signal ENA <1> is small and single-shot ( Drive waveform selection signal ENA <2> is a medium droplet, and is a signal that fires twice (drives twice). The drive waveform selection signals ENA <0> and ENA <3> are both three-shot (3 times drive), but the drive waveforms are different as shown in FIG. 12, and the drive timing is different.

In the nozzles 150 1 to ₁₆ belonging to the first block, No. No. ₁ nozzle 150 ₁ and No. ₁ If 4 and the nozzle 150 ₄ performs both 3 fire driven by select nozzles 150 _1, drive waveform selection signal ENA <0>, for selecting the nozzles 150 ₄ driving waveform selection signals ENA <3>, Fig. As shown in FIG. 12, the drive timing is shifted.

  In this way, in the specific example of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 12, even when the same three consecutive shots are performed, the drive timing is shifted by selecting different drive waveform selection signals ENA, so the current flowing timing is dispersed. Is done. Therefore, heat generation of the drive IC 10 can be suppressed.

  Note that the driving timing of the drive waveform selection signal ENA is set to be different from the others even in the single shot and the double shot, so that the drive timing is shifted.

Furthermore, another specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC 10 is shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 13, the drive waveform selection signal ENA <0> is a signal for two shots (driving twice), and the drive waveform selection signal drive waveform selection signal ENA <1> is a one shot (driving once). As shown in FIG. 13, the drive timings are set differently. No. belonging to the first block. No. ₁ nozzle 150 ₁ and No. ₁ The second nozzle 150 _2, since the drive waveform selection signal ENA for selecting mutually different, but belong to the same block, the drive timing is driven offset.

In addition, No. belonging to the first block. No. ₁ nozzle 1501 and No. ₁ belonging to the second block. Since the 17 nozzles 150 and ₁₇ belong to different blocks, they are driven at a timing shifted by one clock signal CLK <1>. No. belonging to the first block. 2 of nozzles 150 ₂ as belonging to the second block No. Similarly, the ₁₈ nozzles 150 and ₁₈ are driven at different timings.

  As described above, in the specific example of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 13, by combining the drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0> and the block to which the nozzle 150 belongs, for example, droplet diameter modulation for each nozzle 150 (or , Variation correction) and the like, and the drive timing can be shifted, so that the timing of current flow is dispersed. Therefore, heat generation of the drive IC 10 can be suppressed.

  Note that FIG. 13 illustrates, as an example, only the case where the drive waveform selection signals ENA <0> and ENA <1> are combined with the first block and the second block. In the present embodiment, by combining four drive waveform selection signals ENA (drive waveform selection signals ENA <3: 0>) and 16 blocks, the drive timing can be further shifted, and the timing at which current flows is further increased. Distributed. Therefore, the heat generation of the drive IC 10 is further suppressed.

  By shifting the drive timing, the position of the ink droplets ejected on the recording medium P is also shifted, but the image formed because the drive timing is shorter than the movement time of the recording medium P. There will be no problem.

In the present embodiment, the case where the drive waveform selection signal ENA is 4 bits (drive waveform selection signal ENA <3: 0>) has been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other numbers of bits may be used. Even in the case of an increase over the present embodiment, since it is digital data, the signal storage capacity may be small.
[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In the present embodiment, nozzles that are driven (droplet ejection from the nozzles 150) at the same time (same basic waveform) by the combination of the image data signal DNA <1: 0> and the block division shown in FIG. By selecting the drive waveform selection signal ENA so as to suppress the number 150, it is possible to prevent current from being concentrated due to the same drive timing. Since the configuration is the same as that of the drive IC 10, the drive device 50, and the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, only the operation thereof will be described in detail here.

A specific example is shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 14, the drive waveform selection signal ENA <0> is a signal that is fired twice (dried twice). No. No. ₁ nozzle 150 ₁ and No. ₁ Second nozzle 150 ₂ are both, if you want to 2 fire drive, when both select the drive waveform selection signal ENA <0>, the drive waveform generated as shown in FIG. 14 becomes the same, the same Since it is driven at the timing (the same basic waveform), the current is concentrated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as an example, based on the combination of the image data signal DNA <1: 0> and the block division shown in FIG. 7, the drive waveform selection that deviates from the drive waveform selection signal ENA <0> and the drive timing is selected. Generate and set signal ENA <1>. Then, the nozzle 150 ₂ by changing to select the drive waveform selection signals ENA <1>, the drive timing is deviated, a current is dispersed.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the maximum number of consecutive shots is three consecutive shots to make a large droplet. Therefore, when all 256 nozzles 150 are driven by three consecutive shots, the drive timing overlaps most, current is concentrated, and power consumption is maximized. According to the block division of FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 16A, 16 (block) × 3 = 48 nozzles 150 are driven at the same timing in one driving timing.

  In this case, by applying the above-described algorithm, the drive waveform selection signals ENA <3: 0> are generated at different timings, and are selected for each nozzle, for example, FIG. ), The drive timing can be shifted. In the case shown in FIG. 16B, since the number of nozzles 150 driven at the same drive timing is reduced from 3 blocks to 2 blocks, the number of nozzles 150 driven at the same timing is 2/3. Therefore, the concentration of current is suppressed and the power consumption is also reduced to 2/3.

The drive waveform selection signal ENA may be appropriately generated by the driver IC 11 or the controller 56 based on the combination of the image data signal DNA and the block division of the nozzle, or may be generated in the storage unit 58 or the like determined in advance. It may be set and stored, or may be input from the outside of the driving device 50.
[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Since the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the drive device and the drive IC, only the configuration of the different parts will be described in detail.

  A drive device 51 shown in FIG. 16 includes a drive waveform output unit 52, a controller 57, a storage unit 59, and a drive IC (drive circuit) 11. The drive IC 11 stores a drive waveform selection signal ENA. Part 59 is included. That is, the drive IC 11 stores the drive waveform selection signal ENA. The storage unit 59 is, for example, a memory. In the present embodiment, the drive waveform selection signal ENA is extracted from the storage unit 59 every print cycle. Since other drive sequences are the same as those in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, when environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity change, the drive waveform selection signal ENA stored in the storage unit 59 is rewritten, and the rewritten drive waveform selection signal ENA is used. Good.

  By using the drive waveform selection signal ENA stored in the storage unit 59 included in the drive IC 11, it is possible to drive faster.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a recording head according to a first embodiment of the invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic internal structure of a recording element according to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the drive device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure inside the drive IC based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining an example of the drive sequence of drive IC based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating block division of the nozzle (printing element) which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the operation | movement of the multiplexer based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the logic of the multiplexer based on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of logic of the driver circuit according to the first embodiment of the invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the other specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating a specific example of the drive waveform signal output from the drive IC which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the case where 3 continuous shooting is performed as a specific example of the drive waveform signal output from drive IC. It is a block diagram which shows an example of schematic structure of the drive device which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 11 Drive IC
20 Image data signal DATA transfer shift register 24 Drive waveform selection signal ENA transfer shift register 26 Multiplexer 30 Driver circuit 50, 51 Drive device 54 Amplifier 56 Controller 58, 59 Storage unit 100 Image forming device 140 Recording element 150 Nozzle

Claims (7)

Drive for selecting at least a portion of the basic waveform from the drive waveform consisting of a series of basic waveforms that drive the recording elements for ejecting the recording droplets onto the recording medium to form an image based on the image data Delay means for outputting a waveform selection signal at a plurality of different timings;
Control means for controlling the drive of the recording element based on the drive waveform selection signal and the drive waveform output from the delay means;
A drive circuit comprising:   The drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the drive of the recording element based on a logical product of the drive waveform selection signal and the drive waveform. The drive waveform selection signal includes a plurality of types of drive waveform selection signals, and includes a selection unit that selects any of the plurality of types of drive waveform selection signals output from the delay unit based on the image data,
3. The drive circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls driving of the recording element based on a drive waveform selection signal selected by the selection unit and the drive waveform.   4. The drive according to claim 3, wherein the selection unit selects the drive waveform selection signal based on the image data so that the number of recording elements driven by the same basic waveform is reduced. circuit.   The drive circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising storage means for storing the drive waveform selection signal. Drive waveform generating means for generating a drive waveform comprising a continuous basic waveform for driving a recording element for ejecting recording droplets on a recording medium to form an image based on image data;
The drive circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive element is driven based on the drive waveform selection signal and the drive waveform generated by the drive waveform generation unit;
A drive device comprising: A recording element for ejecting recording droplets on a recording medium to form an image based on the image data;
The driving apparatus according to claim 6, comprising the driving circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which drives the recording element.
An image forming apparatus.

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