JP2017185822A - Control unit, liquid discharge method, and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To satisfy both of simplification of wiring and stabilization of discharge of ink.SOLUTION: A control unit of a liquid discharge device comprises: a driving signal generation section generating a driving signal; a control signal generation section generating an original control signal including an original latch signal controlling timing for discharging liquid from nozzles and an original print data signal controlling presence/absence of discharge of the liquid; a signal conversion section converting a plurality of kinds of original control signals into one serial control signal in a serial format; a driving signal transmission section transmitting the driving signal in an analog format to a head unit; and a control signal transmission section transmitting the serial control signal. The head unit comprises: a driving signal reception section receiving the driving signal; a control signal reception section receiving the serial control signal; and a signal restoration section generating a plurality of kinds of restoration control signals including a restoration latch signal and a restoration print data signal from the serial control signal. The nozzles discharge the liquid based on the driving signal, the restoration latch signal and the restoration print data signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid ejection method.

  As a liquid ejecting apparatus, there is known a printing apparatus having a plurality of nozzle units each having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid in one head unit (see Patent Document 1). The number of nozzles and the number of nozzle units included in one head unit tend to increase as the amount of data of a printed image increases (higher image quality). In the printing apparatus, various signals for driving the nozzles are generated by a main controller (control unit) and transmitted to each nozzle unit of the head unit. For this reason, an increase in the number of nozzles and the number of nozzle units causes an increase in signals. As a result, a wiring (signal line) for transmitting a signal by connecting a control unit that generates a signal and a head unit including the nozzle unit is transmitted. Incurs an increase.

JP 2010-120328 A

  In order to deal with such a problem, for example, it is conceivable to reduce the signal by sharing the signal used in each nozzle unit. However, it is difficult to simply share a signal due to the position of the nozzle unit attached to the head unit, individual differences of the nozzle unit, and the like.

  Further, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a signal transmitted from the control unit to the head unit is converted into serial data using a SerDes (serializer / deserializer) circuit. It is conceivable to reduce wiring (signal lines) connecting the units. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the head unit performs conversion of serial data received from the control unit into parallel data and generation of a drive signal for driving the nozzle. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration of the head unit becomes complicated and the physical size becomes large. In order to simplify the configuration of the head unit, it is possible to generate a drive signal on the control unit side, convert it to serial data together with other signals, and send it to the head unit, but if you convert the drive signal to serial data, The waveform may be disturbed, and the ejection of ink from the nozzles may become unstable.

  Therefore, in a conventional printing apparatus, it is desired to achieve both suppression of an increase in signal lines between the control unit and the head unit and stabilization of ink ejection. In addition, in the conventional printing apparatus, it is desired to simplify the configuration, reduce the cost, improve the performance, and the like.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid ejection apparatus is provided. The liquid ejection apparatus is a liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a head unit having a plurality of nozzle units each having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting liquid; and a control unit for controlling ejection of the liquid; A drive signal generator for generating a drive signal having at least one waveform portion for discharging liquid from the nozzle; an original latch signal for controlling the timing of discharging liquid from the nozzle; and whether or not the liquid is discharged A control signal generation unit that generates a plurality of types of original control signals including: a signal conversion unit that converts the plurality of types of original control signals into a serial control signal in a serial format; A drive signal transmitter for transmitting the drive signal to the head unit in an analog format; A control signal transmitter for transmitting the control signal in a serial format; the head unit; a drive signal receiver for receiving the drive signal from the control unit; and the serial control signal from the control unit A control signal receiving unit; a restored latch signal that is applied to the nozzle unit from the received serial control signal and controls the timing of ejecting liquid from the nozzle; and a restored print data signal that controls the presence or absence of ejection of the liquid; And a signal restoration unit that generates a plurality of types of restoration control signals including: the nozzle ejects the liquid based on the drive signal, the restoration latch signal, and the restoration print data signal. . According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of this aspect, one serial control signal is generated from a plurality of types of original control signals and transmitted to the head unit, so the wiring (signal lines) of the liquid ejecting apparatus is increased. And the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. The drive signal is transmitted to the head unit in an analog format. Therefore, the waveform of the drive signal is not disturbed with the conversion to the serial format, so that the intended amount of liquid is stably ejected from the nozzle. In addition, since there is no delay associated with the conversion to the serial format in the drive signal, the liquid is ejected from the nozzle at the intended timing. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a circuit for generating a drive signal, for example, in the head unit, the head unit can be made small.

(2) In the liquid ejection device of the above aspect, the drive signal is; a predetermined period before the restoration latch signal is applied to the nozzle unit, or a predetermined period after the restoration latch signal is applied to the nozzle unit. It may be kept at a predetermined potential for a period. According to the liquid ejection apparatus of this aspect, even when the restoration latch signal is delayed compared to the original latch signal, the drive signal is maintained at a predetermined potential during the delay period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being discharged from the nozzle at an unintended timing.

(3) In the liquid ejection device of the above aspect, the timing at which the potential of the original latch signal changes may be different from the timing at which the potential of the restored latch signal changes. According to the liquid ejection apparatus of this aspect, it is possible to apply to the nozzle unit a restoration latch signal having a timing at which the signal potential changes from the original latch signal.

(4) In the liquid ejection device according to the above aspect, the control signal generation unit includes: a period associated with the signal conversion unit converting the plurality of types of original control signals into the serial control signal; and the signal restoration unit The original latch signal may be generated in which the timing at which the potential changes is defined according to a period associated with generating the plurality of types of restoration control signals from the serial control signal. According to the liquid ejection device of this aspect, the original latch signal is regulated in the timing at which the signal potential changes according to the period accompanying the conversion to the serial format and the generation of the restoration latch signal. When controlling the timing of discharging the liquid, the delay associated with the conversion to the serial format and the generation of the restoration latch signal is canceled. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being discharged from the nozzle at an unintended timing.

(5) In the liquid ejection device according to the above aspect, the plurality of types of original control signals include original channel signals that define output timings of the respective waveform portions constituting the drive signal by changing the signal potential to different levels. The plurality of types of restoration control signals may include restoration channel signals that define the output timing of each waveform portion constituting the drive signal by changing the potential to a different level. According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of this aspect, a plurality of types of original control signals including the original channel signal are converted into one serial type serial control signal and transmitted to the head unit. Further, a restoration channel signal is generated from the serial control signal. Therefore, the timing for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle is determined based on the signal synchronized with the drive signal.

  A plurality of constituent elements of each aspect of the present invention described above are not indispensable, and some or all of the effects described in the present specification are to be solved to solve part or all of the above-described problems. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to appropriately change, delete, replace with another new component, and partially delete the limited contents of some of the plurality of components. In order to solve part or all of the above-described problems or to achieve part or all of the effects described in this specification, technical features included in one embodiment of the present invention described above. A part or all of the technical features included in the other aspects of the present invention described above may be combined to form an independent form of the present invention.

  For example, one embodiment of the present invention includes a drive signal generation unit, a control signal generation unit, a signal conversion unit, a drive signal transmission unit, a control signal transmission unit, a drive signal reception unit, a control signal reception unit, It is realizable as a device provided with one or more elements of a signal restoration part. That is, this apparatus may or may not have the drive signal generation unit. In addition, the control signal generation unit may or may not be included. Further, the signal conversion unit may or may not be included. In addition, the driving signal transmission unit may or may not be included. In addition, the control signal transmission unit may or may not be included. Further, the drive signal receiving unit may or may not be provided. Further, the control signal receiving unit may or may not be included. Further, the signal restoration unit may or may not be provided. Such a device can be realized as, for example, a liquid discharge device, but can also be realized as a device other than the liquid discharge device. According to such a form, it is possible to solve at least one of various problems such as downsizing, cost reduction, resource saving, ease of manufacture, and improvement in usability of the product. Any or all of the technical features of the liquid ejecting apparatus described above can be applied to this product.

  The present invention can also be realized in various forms other than the liquid ejection device. For example, it is realized in the form of a liquid ejection method, a liquid ejection device manufacturing method, a liquid ejection device control method, a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods, devices or systems, a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, etc. can do.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration centering on a control unit and a head unit of a printer. It is a figure which shows an example of the various signals applied to a nozzle unit.

A. Embodiment:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 100 as a liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printer 100 is a line head type printer, and forms ink dots on the print medium RM by ejecting ink as a liquid according to image data supplied from the computer 200. The printer 100 includes an ink cartridge group 90, head units 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K, a control unit 50, and a transport mechanism 60. Hereinafter, the head units 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K are collectively referred to simply as the head unit 70.

  The ink cartridge group 90 is composed of a plurality of ink cartridges that respectively accommodate cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black K inks. Each ink cartridge supplies ink to the head unit 70 connected to each ink cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the head unit 70 includes a plurality of nozzle units 80. The nozzle units 80 are arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 1 so that the interval between adjacent nozzles is constant over the maximum printing width. The nozzle unit 80 includes a plurality of nozzles. The plurality of nozzles form a nozzle row arranged in a staggered manner in the medium width direction y intersecting the transport direction x of the print medium RM. This nozzle row discharges ink stored in an ink cartridge connected to each head unit 70. The nozzle unit 80 includes a piezo element in the internal ink passage leading to the nozzle. The piezo element controls the amount of ink droplets ejected from each nozzle according to the applied voltage. As described above, the printer 100 of this embodiment is a so-called line head type ink jet printer that performs printing without the main scanning of the nozzle unit 80. Note that the plurality of nozzles constituting each nozzle row need not be arranged in a staggered manner along the nozzle row direction, for example, even if arranged in a straight line along the nozzle row direction. Good. Further, the nozzle row direction is not necessarily a direction orthogonal to the print medium RM as long as the direction intersects the transport direction x of the print medium RM.

  The transport mechanism 60 includes a medium feed motor (not shown) and a transport belt (not shown). The medium feed motor drives the conveyor belt. The conveying belt conveys the printing medium RM from the upstream side to the downstream side within the maximum printing width of the head unit 70 by driving by the medium feeding motor.

  The control unit 50 includes a control unit 20 and an encoder (not shown). The encoder generates a signal indicating the transport amount of the print medium RM and inputs the generated signal to the control unit 20. In the control unit 20, a plurality of types of original control signals and drive signals COM are generated based on various data and signals acquired by the control unit 50 from the computer 200. The generated plural types of original control signals are converted into a serial format and transmitted to the head unit 70 via the signal line 41. The signal line 41 is a differential transmission line, and is used for transmitting a signal converted into a serial format. The signal line 42 is for transmitting an analog signal. Details of signals generated and transmitted by the control unit 20 and the head unit 70 will be described later. In the printer 100, the nozzle unit 80, the medium feed motor, and the conveyor belt operate based on these signals, whereby the printing process on the print medium RM is executed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration centering on the control unit 20 and the head unit 70 of the printer 100.

  The control unit 20 includes a control signal generation unit 21, a signal conversion unit 22, a control signal transmission unit 25, a drive signal (COM) generation unit 23, and a COM transmission unit 24. The head unit 70 includes a control signal receiving unit 73, a signal restoring unit 71, a clock signal (rSI_CLK) generating unit 72, a COM receiving unit 74, and a nozzle unit 80 having a plurality of nozzles. The head unit 70 includes a plurality of nozzle units 80, but for convenience of explanation, one nozzle unit 80 is shown in FIG. The nozzle unit 80 includes a shift register unit 81, a latch unit 82, a level shifter unit 83, and a selection switch unit 84. In the present embodiment, each of the head units 70C, 70M, 70Y, and 70K has the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and receives signals from the control unit 20 via the signal lines 41 and 42, respectively. The control signal receiving unit 73, the signal restoring unit 71, and the rSI_CLK generating unit 72 may be provided in common for all the head units 70 or provided for each nozzle unit 80. Also good.

  Based on various data and signals acquired by the control unit 50 from the computer 200, the control signal generation unit 21 of the control unit 20 performs the original print data signal sSI, the original latch signal sLAT, the original channel signal sCH, and the original data. A plurality of types of original control signals including the enable signal sDE are generated. The control signal generator 21 inputs these plural types of original control signals to the signal converter 22 in parallel format. The signal converter 22 converts a plurality of types of low-speed original control signals (parallel data) into high-speed serial control signals. The signal conversion unit 22 is also called a serializer. The serial control signal is transmitted to the head unit 70 via the signal line 41 by the control signal transmission unit 25. Specifically, the signal conversion unit 22 generates a clock signal (hereinafter, LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK) used in high-speed serial data transfer called LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling). The signal conversion unit 22 serializes the generated LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK and a plurality of types of original control signals input to the signal conversion unit 22 in parallel to generate a serial control signal. The serial control signal is transmitted to the head unit 70 by the LVDS transfer method.

  The COM generator 23 of the control unit 20 generates an analog drive signal COM based on various data and signals acquired by the control unit 50 from the computer 200. The generated drive signal COM is transmitted to the head unit 70 in an analog format via the signal line 42 by the COM transmitter 24.

  The control signal receiver 73 of the head unit 70 receives a serial control signal via the signal line 41. The signal restoration unit 71 deserializes the received serial control signal to generate a restoration control signal. The restoration control signal includes a restoration print data signal rSI, a restoration latch signal rLAT, a restoration channel signal rCH, and a restoration data enable signal rDE. The rSI_CLK generation unit 72 generates the clock signal rSI_CLK using the deserialized restored data enable signal rDE and the LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK. The clock signal rSI_CLK is a clock signal for the restored print data signal rSI. The rSI_CLK generation unit 72 generates the clock signal rSI_CLK by dividing the LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK when the restoration data enable signal DE is at a high level. The restored print data signal rSI, the restored latch signal rLAT, the restored channel signal rCH, and the generated clock signal rSI_CLK are transmitted to the nozzle unit 80. The signal restoration unit 71 of the head unit 70 is also called a deserializer.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of various signals applied to the nozzle unit 80. FIG. 3A shows an example of the drive signal COM. The drive signal COM is an analog signal that drives a piezo element for ejecting ink from the nozzles. The drive signal COM of the present embodiment includes a waveform portion P1 and a waveform portion P2 in a period T of one pixel. The leading potential of the driving signal COM in the period T (the leading potential of the waveform portion P1) is kept at the steady potential Vst. The leading potential of the waveform portion P2 is also maintained at the steady potential Vst. In this specification, the drive signal COM being maintained at the steady potential Vst allows a slight fluctuation due to noise or error, but the level of the drive signal COM is substantially (significantly) from the potential. It means no change. The “waveform part” means a part of the drive signal COM and including a voltage change.

  The rising portion of each waveform of the drive signal COM, for example, enlarges the volume of the ink chamber communicating with the nozzle, and the falling portion reduces the volume of the ink chamber to push out ink from the nozzle. The portion of the drive signal COM that is maintained at the steady potential Vst does not enlarge or reduce the volume of the ink chamber. When the drive signal COM having such a waveform portion is applied to the piezo element, ink is ejected from the nozzle and ink dots are formed at pixel positions on the print medium RM. The drive signal COM applied to the piezo element is determined by the restored print data signal rSI that controls whether ink is ejected from the nozzles. For example, when the restored print data signal rSI indicates a large dot, a drive signal COM including a combination of waveform portions that form a large dot is applied to the piezo element.

  During the period in which the leading potential of the drive signal COM and the leading potential of the waveform portion P2 are maintained at the steady potential Vst, a plurality of types of original control signals are converted into serial format signals (serial control signals). Therefore, it is equal to or longer than the total period of the period required for generating the restoration control signal by deserializing the serial control signal. The period during which the leading potential of the drive signal COM and the leading potential of the waveform portion P2 are kept at the steady potential Vst can be determined by the performance of the signal converting unit 22 and the signal restoring unit 71. Note that the period during which the steady potential Vst is maintained can be set to be twice or more the period required for converting a plurality of types of original control signals into serial control signals. Further, the period during which the steady potential Vst is maintained can be set to be twice or more the period required for generating a plurality of types of restoration control signals from the serial control signal.

  The restoration latch signal rLAT shown in FIG. 3B1 is a signal for controlling the timing of ejecting liquid from the nozzle, and is a signal that defines the printing cycle T of one pixel. As the signal potential of the restored latch signal rLAT changes to a different level, the restored print data signal rSI held in the shift register unit 81 of the head unit 70 is latched. The restoration latch signal rLAT is at a high level in accordance with the start timing of the cycle of the drive signal COM. The restored channel signal rCH shown in FIG. 3 (C1) is a signal that defines the output timing of each waveform portion constituting the drive signal. The restoration channel signal rCH becomes high level in accordance with the start timing of the second and subsequent waveform portions (P2). When the restoration latch signal rLAT (FIG. 3 (B1)) and the restoration channel signal rCH (FIG. 3 (C1)) become high level, the drive signal COM shown in FIG. 3 (A) is maintained at the steady potential Vst. It is timing. The restored latch signal rLAT is a signal having the same signal waveform as the original latch signal sLAT but having a different timing for changing the signal potential. The restored channel signal rCH is also a signal having the same signal waveform as that of the original channel signal sCH but having a different timing for changing the signal potential. The same applies to the relationship between other restoration control signals and original control signals.

  FIG. 3B2 shows the original latch signal sLAT. FIG. 3 (C2) shows the original channel signal sCH. The voltage of the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH of this embodiment changes in voltage compared to the original latch signal sLAT and the original channel signal sCH by the time required for conversion to serial format and the time required for deserialization. Thus, a delay (latency LTC) occurs at the timing when the level becomes high. However, the timing when the restoration latch signal rLAT becomes high level is the timing when the drive signal COM shown in FIG. 3A is maintained at the steady potential Vst, similarly to the original latch signal sLAT. Similarly, the timing when the restored channel signal rCH becomes high level in the present embodiment is the timing when the drive signal COM shown in FIG. 3A is maintained at the steady potential Vst, similarly to the original channel signal sCH. That is, the drive signal COM is maintained at the steady potential Vst for the latency LTC before the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH are applied to the nozzle unit 80. Therefore, even when the latency LTC is generated in the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH, the timing at which the restoration latch signal rLAT and the channel signal rCH become high level is the rising or falling part of the waveform of the drive signal COM. Do not overlap. The original latch signal sLAT can be said to be a latch signal when conversion to serial format and deserialization are not involved. The original channel signal sCH can be said to be a channel signal without conversion to serial format and deserialization.

  The restored print data signal rSI shown in FIG. 3D is a signal indicating the dot size of each pixel and the presence / absence of a dot. The LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK shown in FIG. 3 (E) is a signal for taking the timing of each data and signal and transmitting it to the line head unit 70 by the LVDS transfer method. The restored data enable signal rDE shown in FIG. 3F is a signal for generating the clock signal rSI_CLK shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the clock signal rSI_CLK is generated by dividing the LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK when the restoration data enable signal rDE is at a high level. Although not shown in FIG. 3, the restored print data signal rSI, the restored data enable signal rDE, and the like are also converted to the serial format and deserialized in the same manner as the restored latch signal rLAT and the restored channel signal rCH. Latency LTC has occurred.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the nozzle unit 80 includes a shift register unit 81, a latch unit 82, a level shifter unit 83, and a selection switch unit 84. A restored print data signal rSI is input and held in the shift register unit 81. Thereafter, in accordance with the clock signal rSI_CLK, the position where the restored print data signal rSI is stored in the shift register unit 81 is sequentially shifted to the subsequent stage. The latch unit 82 sequentially latches the output signal of the shift register unit 81 at a timing when the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH become high level. The signal latched by the latch unit 82 is converted by the level shifter unit 83 into a voltage level that turns the selection switch unit 84 on or off. The output signal of the level shifter unit 83 is supplied to a control terminal (not shown) of the corresponding selection switch unit 84 to turn on or off each selection switch unit 84. The drive signal COM determined by the restored print data signal rSI input to the shift register unit 81 is supplied from the selection switch unit 84 thus turned on to the piezo elements connected to the selection switch. On the other hand, the drive signal COM is not supplied from the selection switch unit 84 in the off state to the piezo element connected to the selection switch unit 84. In this way, when the drive signal COM is supplied to the piezo elements, ink is ejected from the nozzles and dots are formed on the print medium RM.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, the N-charge signal sNCHG is generated by the control signal generation unit 21 of the control unit 20, and a plurality of types of original controls such as the original latch signal sLAT are provided. It is serialized with the signal and transmitted to the line head unit 70. The N-charge signal sNCHG is a signal used when the printer 100 is flushed, for example. The restored restoration N-charge signal rNCHG supplies the drive signal COM to all the piezo elements regardless of the restoration print data signal rSI.

  As described above, in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of original control signals generated by the control signal generation unit 21 are converted into one serial format serial control signal by the signal conversion unit 22. . Therefore, the serial control signal is transmitted to the head unit 70 only through the signal line 41. Therefore, in a line head printer, even when the control signal increases with the increase in the number of nozzles and the number of nozzle units, the increase in wiring (signal lines) can be suppressed and the configuration of the apparatus can be simplified. it can. Further, the drive signal COM is transmitted to the nozzle unit 80 in an analog format without being converted into a serial format. Therefore, the drive signal COM transmitted to the nozzle unit 80 does not have waveform distortion accompanying serialization. Therefore, unintentional ink ejection due to the waveform distortion of the drive signal COM is prevented, so that the liquid is stably ejected from the nozzle. Further, since the delay associated with the conversion to the serial format does not occur in the drive signal COM, the liquid is ejected from the nozzle at the intended timing. Furthermore, since the drive signal COM is transmitted to the head unit 70 in an analog format, the drive signal COM that takes into account the delay associated with the conversion to the serial format need not be generated in the control unit 20. Therefore, the processing in the control unit 50 of the printer 100 can be simplified. Therefore, suppression of increase in wiring (signal lines), simplification of the configuration of the apparatus, simplification of processing in the control unit 20, stabilization of ink ejection of the printer 100, and optimization of the timing of ejecting the liquid. And at least one of them can be achieved.

  In order to convert the drive signal COM into the serial format and optimize the timing for ejecting the liquid, the timing for canceling the delay associated with the conversion of the drive signal COM into the serial format on the head unit 70 side. Send data. It is also conceivable to provide the head unit 70 with a circuit that generates the drive signal COM with the delay canceled based on the timing data. However, when such a circuit is provided, the configuration of the head unit 70 is increased. In the printer 100 of the present embodiment, the drive signal COM is transmitted to the head unit 70 in an analog format, so that the configuration of the head unit 70 can be prevented from becoming large.

  Further, the leading potential of the drive signal COM is maintained at the steady potential Vst. During the period when the leading potential is maintained at the steady potential, the period required for the signal conversion unit 22 to convert a plurality of types of original control signals into serial control signals in the serial format, and the signal restoration unit 71 perform serial control. The period required for converting the signal into the parallel format and generating the restoration control signal is equal to or longer than the total period. That is, the period maintained at the steady potential Vst is a period equal to or higher than the latency. Therefore, even if the timing at which the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH become high level is delayed compared to the original latch signal sLAT and the original channel signal sCH due to conversion and restoration, the drive signal COM is delayed. It is kept at a steady potential for a period equal to or longer than this period. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH from going high at the rising and falling portions of the drive signal COM. In addition, since the timing at which the nozzle discharges the liquid is adjusted based on the restoration control signal converted into the parallel format, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being discharged from the nozzle at an unintended timing.

  The drive signal COM is generated not at the head unit 70 side but at the control unit 20 of the printer 100. The COM generation unit 23 generates a drive signal COM having a relatively high voltage. For this reason, a signal generated by a circuit arranged around the COM generation unit 23 may generate noise due to generation of the drive signal COM. However, on the control unit 20 side of the printer 100, unlike the head unit 70 side where ink is actually ejected, the degree of freedom in design is relatively high, so a space for noise countermeasures is provided around the COM transmission unit 24. It can be secured or a member can be installed. Therefore, with the printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the head unit 70 can be configured to be small while sufficiently taking measures against noise.

  Note that the clock signal SI_CLK can be transmitted to the head unit 70 by generating the clock signal SI_CLK in the control signal generation unit 21 of the control unit 20 and providing another line for the clock signal SI_CLK different from the signal line 41. . However, in this embodiment, the rSI_CLK generation unit 72 generates the clock signal rSI_CLK by dividing the LVDS clock signal LVDS_CLK when the restored data enable signal rDE is at a high level. Therefore, the wiring between the control unit 20 and the head unit 70 can be simplified. Further, when the clock signal SI_CLK is generated on the control unit 20 side, the clock signal sSI_CLK and the drive signal COM that are not changed to the serial format, the restored latch signal rLAT that is changed to the serial format, and the restored print data signal rSI. There is no need to separately adjust the timing. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the design of the printer 100 from becoming complicated.

B. Variations:
The embodiment described above can be variously modified as follows.
・ Modification 1:
In the above-described embodiment, the drive signal COM has a start time equal to or longer than the sum of the period required to convert the original control signal to the serial format and the period required to convert to the parallel format and generate the restoration control signal. Is maintained at the steady potential Vst. On the other hand, the drive signal COM may be maintained at the steady potential Vst at the end potential instead of the top potential for the period required for these conversions. That is, the drive signal COM may be maintained at the steady potential Vst for a predetermined period after the restoration latch signal rLAT is applied to the nozzle unit 80.

Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, the drive signal COM transmission unit 24 of the control unit 20 has the steady potential at the leading potential for a period equal to or longer than the period required for serializing the control signal and the period required for deserialization. A drive signal COM maintained at Vst is transmitted. This prevents ink from being ejected from the nozzles at unintended timing. On the other hand, the control signal generation unit 21 may generate the original control signal in which the timing at which the voltage changes to a different level is defined according to the period accompanying the conversion of the original control signal into the serial control signal. For example, the control signal generation unit 21 may transmit the original control signal in which the timing at which the signal becomes high level is shifted (coming earlier) by the period required for serialization and deserialization of the original control signal. In this way, when the restoration control signal restored by the signal restoration unit 71 controls the timing at which the liquid is discharged from the nozzle, the delay associated with the conversion to the serial format is canceled in the restoration control signal. It will be. By doing this as well, the restoration latch signal rLAT and the restoration channel signal rCH become high level during the period in which the drive signal COM is kept at the steady potential Vst. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid from being discharged from the nozzle at an unintended timing.

・ Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the printer 100 is a line head type printer. On the other hand, the present invention may be applied to a serial scanning type printer that performs printing while a print head having nozzles moves in the main scanning direction.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments and the modifications corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the summary section of the invention are to solve some or all of the above-described problems, or In order to achieve part or all of the effects, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Control unit 21 ... Control signal generation part 22 ... Signal conversion part 23 ... COM generation part 24 ... COM transmission part 25 ... Control signal transmission part 41, 42 ... Signal line 50 ... Control unit 60 ... Conveyance mechanism 70, 70C, 70M , 70Y, 70K ... head unit 71 ... signal restoration unit 72 ... rSI_CLK generation unit 73 ... control signal reception unit 74 ... COM reception unit 80 ... nozzle unit 81 ... shift register unit 82 ... latch unit 83 ... level shifter unit 84 ... select switch Part 90: Ink cartridge group 100 ... Printer 200 ... Computer P1, P2 ... Waveform part T ... Printing cycle COM ... Drive signal sLAT ... Original latch signal sCH ... Original channel signal sDE ... Original data enable signal s I ... Original print data signal LVDS_CLK ... LVDS clock signal rLAT ... Restore latch signal rCH ... Restore channel signal rDE ... Restore data enable signal rSI ... Restore print data signal rSI_CLK ... Clock signal for restore print data signal Vst ... Steady potential RM ... Print media

The present invention relates to a control unit, a liquid ejection method, and a liquid ejection apparatus .

Claims (6)

A head unit having a plurality of nozzle units each having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid;
A liquid ejection apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling ejection of the liquid,
The control unit is
A drive signal generation unit that generates a drive signal having at least one waveform portion for discharging liquid from the nozzle;
A control signal generation unit that generates a plurality of types of original control signals including an original latch signal that controls the timing at which liquid is ejected from the nozzle, and an original print data signal that controls whether or not the liquid is ejected;
A signal converter that converts the plurality of types of original control signals into a serial control signal in a single serial format;
A drive signal transmitter for transmitting the drive signal to the head unit in an analog format;
A control signal transmitter for transmitting the serial control signal to the head unit in a serial format,
The head unit is
A drive signal receiving unit for receiving the drive signal from the control unit;
A control signal receiver for receiving the serial control signal from the control unit;
From the received serial control signal, a plurality of types including a restoration latch signal that is applied to the nozzle unit and controls the timing at which the liquid is ejected from the nozzle, and a restoration print data signal that controls whether or not the liquid is ejected. A signal restoration unit for generating a restoration control signal,
The nozzle ejects the liquid based on the drive signal, the restoration latch signal, and the restoration print data signal.
Liquid ejection device. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1,
The drive signal is
A liquid ejection apparatus, which is maintained at a predetermined potential for a predetermined period before the restoration latch signal is applied to the nozzle unit or for a predetermined period after the restoration latch signal is applied to the nozzle unit. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The liquid ejection device, wherein a timing at which the potential of the original latch signal changes and a timing at which the potential of the restored latch signal change are different. The liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
The control signal generator is
A period of time for the signal conversion unit to convert the plurality of types of original control signals into the serial control signal, and for the signal recovery unit to generate the plurality of types of recovery control signals from the serial control signal; A liquid ejecting apparatus that generates the original latch signal in which a timing at which a potential changes is defined in accordance with the accompanying period. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The plurality of types of original control signals include original channel signals that define the output timing of each waveform portion constituting the drive signal by changing the signal potential to a different level,
The liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the plurality of types of restoration control signals include a restoration channel signal that defines an output timing of each waveform portion constituting the driving signal by changing the potential to a different level. A head unit having a plurality of nozzle units each having a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid;
A liquid discharge method by a liquid discharge device comprising a control unit for controlling the discharge of the liquid,
The control unit is
Generating a drive signal having at least one waveform portion for discharging liquid from the nozzle;
Generating a plurality of types of original control signals including an original latch signal for controlling timing of ejecting liquid from the nozzle and an original print data signal for controlling presence or absence of ejection of the liquid;
The plurality of types of original control signals are converted into one serial format serial control signal,
Sending the drive signal to the head unit in analog form;
Sending the serial control signal to the head unit;
The head unit is
Receiving the drive signal from the control unit;
Receiving the serial control signal from the control unit;
From the received serial control signal, a plurality of types including a restoration latch signal that is applied to the nozzle unit and controls the timing at which the liquid is ejected from the nozzle, and a restoration print data signal that controls whether or not the liquid is ejected. Generate a restoration control signal,
The liquid ejection method, wherein the nozzle ejects the liquid based on the drive signal, the restoration latch signal, and the restoration print data signal.

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