JP2018134781A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce possibility of needing to replace a memory even when a control board needs to be replaced.SOLUTION: A printing device includes: a printing unit for forming an image on a medium using a recording material; a transportation unit for transporting the medium; a controlling circuit for controlling the printing unit and the transportation unit; and a storage circuit for storing printing characteristic information indicating characteristic of the printing unit and transportation characteristic information indicating characteristic of the transportation unit. The controlling circuit is provided on a first board, while the storage circuit is provided on a second board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  In a printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (sometimes simply referred to as “medium”) using a recording material such as ink or toner, the recording material may float as a mist. If the recording material floating as mist adheres to a circuit board or the like inside the printing apparatus, there is a risk that a malfunction of the printing apparatus may occur, such as a short circuit of a conductor on the circuit board. Patent Document 1 describes a technique for acquiring information on mist adhesion / deposition in a printing apparatus and outputting a warning message to prompt maintenance when the amount of mist accumulation exceeds a predetermined amount. ing.

JP 2010-131882 A

By the way, when a recording material such as ink floats as mist, the mist may be charged. For this reason, there is a high possibility that the recording material floating as mist adheres to an electronic component such as a circuit. On the other hand, in a printing apparatus, a control circuit that controls each unit of the printing apparatus, a memory (storage circuit) that stores various types of information, and the like may be provided on a control board. For this reason, in the printing apparatus, there is a high possibility that the recording material floating as mist adheres to the control board.
When the recording material that floats as mist adheres to the control board, problems may occur in various electronic components provided on the control board, and the control board may need to be replaced. When the control board is replaced, the memory provided on the control board is also replaced. In this case, it is necessary to newly store information stored in the memory before the replacement with respect to the memory after the replacement, which may impair the convenience of the user of the printing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a technique for reducing the possibility that a memory needs to be replaced even when a control board needs to be replaced due to a malfunction of the control board. Providing is one of the resolution issues.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus according to the present invention controls a printing unit that forms an image on a medium using a recording material, a conveyance unit that conveys the medium, and the printing unit and the conveyance unit. And a storage circuit that stores printing characteristic information indicating characteristics of the printing unit and conveyance characteristic information indicating characteristics of the conveyance unit, and the control circuit is provided on the first substrate. The memory circuit is provided on a second substrate.

  According to the present invention, the memory circuit is provided on one second substrate different from the first substrate on which the control circuit is provided. For this reason, even when the first substrate is replaced, the possibility that the storage circuit needs to be replaced can be reduced.

  In the printing apparatus described above, the first board includes a first connector, the second board includes a second connector, and the first connector is connected to the second connector. It may be a feature.

  According to this aspect, since the first substrate and the second substrate are directly connected, the number of components provided in the printing apparatus is smaller than when the first substrate and the second substrate are connected via a cable or the like. It is possible to reduce the possibility of occurrence of problems due to mist adhering to each component of the printing apparatus.

  In the printing apparatus described above, the storage circuit may store setting information of the printing apparatus designated by a user of the printing apparatus.

  According to this aspect, even when the first substrate is replaced, the setting information of the printing apparatus is not lost, so that it is possible to prevent the convenience of the printing apparatus user from being lowered.

  The printing apparatus described above may include a scanner unit that reads an image printed on a medium, and the storage circuit may store scanner characteristic information indicating characteristics of the scanner unit.

  According to this aspect, since the scanner characteristic information is not lost even when the first substrate is replaced, it is possible to prevent the convenience of the user of the printing apparatus from being lowered.

  The above-described printing apparatus includes a communication unit capable of transmitting information representing an image printed on a medium to an external device, and the storage circuit is a communication indicating a setting for transmission of information representing the image performed by the communication unit. The setting information may be stored.

  According to this aspect, since the communication setting information is not lost even when the first board is replaced, it is possible to prevent the convenience of the user of the printing apparatus from being lowered.

  The printing apparatus described above includes a recording material storage unit that stores the recording material, and the storage circuit stores recording material management information indicating a remaining amount of the recording material stored by the recording material storage unit. It may be a feature.

  According to this aspect, since the recording material management information is not lost even when the first substrate is replaced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience for the user of the printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus described above includes a waste material storage unit that stores the waste material that is the discarded recording material, and the storage circuit stores waste material management information that indicates an amount of the waste material stored by the waste material storage unit. May be a feature.

  According to this aspect, even when the first substrate is replaced, the waste material management information is not lost, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in convenience for the user of the printing apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an inkjet printer 1 according to the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of circuits provided in the ink jet printer. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a schematic internal structure of an inkjet printer 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a structure of a discharge unit D. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating an example of an arrangement of nozzles N in the recording head HD. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing unit 3. FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining an example of an operation in print processing. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the connection state designation | designated signal SL [m]. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a connection state designating circuit 31. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in each figure, the size and scale of each part are appropriately changed from the actual ones. Further, since the embodiments described below are preferable specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are attached thereto. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

<< A. Embodiment >>
In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus will be described using an ink jet printer that ejects ink (an example of “recording material”) and forms an image on recording paper P (an example of “medium”).

<< 1. Overview of inkjet printers >>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of various circuits and various substrates provided in the inkjet printer 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic internal configuration of the inkjet printer 1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the inkjet printer 1 is a serial printer.

  Print data Img indicating an image to be formed by the inkjet printer 1 is supplied to the inkjet printer 1 from a host computer (not shown) such as a personal computer or a digital camera. The ink jet printer 1 executes a printing process for forming an image indicated by the print data Img supplied from the host computer on the recording paper P.

  Although details will be described later, in addition to the above-described printing process, the inkjet printer 1 according to the present embodiment performs a copy process for copying an image printed on the recording paper P, and an image printed on the recording paper P. By scanning, generating image data Dat indicating the read image, storing the generated image data Dat in a storage device or the like provided in the host computer, and reading the image printed on the recording paper P Facsimile transmission processing for transmitting the obtained image data Dat to an external device via a network such as a public line and the image data Dat transmitted from the external device are received and recorded based on the received image data Dat Facsimile reception processing that forms an image on paper P and cleaning processing that discards ink that is not used for printing processing can be executed. It is.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ink jet printer 1 includes a control unit 6 that controls each part of the ink jet printer 1, a printing unit 3 provided with a discharge unit D that ejects ink, and a recording sheet P for the printing unit 3. A transport unit 7 for changing the relative position, a drive signal generation unit 2 for generating a drive signal Com for driving the ejection unit D, and a storage unit 4 for storing various information such as setting information of the ink jet printer 1 , A scanner unit 5 for reading an image printed on the recording paper P, a communication unit 8 for executing communication with an external device of the ink jet printer 1, and an ink storage unit 91 (““ An example of a “recording material storage unit”) and ink discarded in the cleaning process (hereinafter “ It includes a "waste ink" and referred. Storage waste ink for storing an example) of the "waste" unit 92 (an example of "waste storage unit"), a.

The printing unit 3 includes a recording head HD that includes M ejection portions D (in this embodiment, M is a natural number that satisfies 1 ≦ M).
Hereinafter, in order to distinguish each of the M ejection portions D provided in the recording head HD, they may be referred to as “first stage, second stage,..., M stage” in order. In addition, the m stages of ejection portions D may be referred to as ejection portions D [m] (the variable m is a natural number satisfying 1 ≦ m ≦ M). In addition, when the components, signals, etc. of the ink jet printer 1 correspond to the number of stages m of the discharge section D [m], the codes for representing the components, signals, etc. correspond to the number of stages m. May be expressed with a subscript [m].

The printing unit 3 includes a substrate B3 (see FIG. 2) and a supply circuit 30 that is formed on the substrate B3 and switches whether or not to supply the drive signal Com output from the drive signal generation unit 2 to the recording head HD. .
Hereinafter, among the drive signals Com, the drive signal Com supplied to the ejection unit D may be referred to as a supply drive signal Vin. In addition, the supply drive signal Vin supplied to the discharge unit D [m] may be referred to as a supply drive signal Vin [m].

  As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 4 includes a memory substrate B4 and a setting information storage circuit 40 (an example of a “storage circuit”) formed on the memory substrate B4. The setting information storage circuit 40 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a PROM (Programmable ROM). The setting information storage circuit 40 shows, for example, a control program for the ink jet printer 1, setting information including various setting values for specifying operation modes of various components of the ink jet printer 1, and characteristics of the various components of the ink jet printer 1. Various information such as characteristic information and management information for managing states of various components of the inkjet printer 1 is stored.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the setting information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 includes print setting information that defines the operation mode of the inkjet printer 1 in the printing process, and the operation mode of the inkjet printer 1 in the facsimile transmission process. And communication setting information that prescribes Here, the print setting information is information that defines, for example, the print resolution, print speed, and ink type (monochrome printing or color printing) to be used in the printing process. The communication setting information is information that defines, for example, a transmission destination in facsimile transmission processing. The setting information including the print setting information and the communication setting information may be input by the user of the ink jet printer 1 from an operation panel (not shown) of the ink jet printer 1 or a host computer.
In the present embodiment, as an example, the characteristic information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 includes printing characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the printing unit 3, scanner characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the scanner unit 5, and the transport unit 7. It is assumed that the information includes conveyance characteristic information indicating the above characteristics. Here, the printing characteristic information includes, for example, information indicating a manufacturing error of the printing unit 3 and the like. The control unit 6 corrects the waveform of the drive signal Com so that the print unit 3 can accurately form an image indicated by the print data Img by controlling the drive signal generation unit 2 based on the print characteristic information, for example. can do. The scanner characteristic information includes, for example, information indicating a manufacturing error of the scanner unit 5 and the like. For example, when the scanner unit 5 reads an image printed on the recording paper P, the scanner unit 5 corrects information indicating the result read by the scanner unit 5 based on the scanner characteristic information, thereby recording paper. Image data Dat that accurately represents the image printed on P can be generated. The conveyance characteristic information includes, for example, information indicating a manufacturing error of the conveyance unit 7 and the like. For example, the control unit 6 can accurately determine the relative position of the recording paper P with respect to the printing unit 3 by controlling the transport unit 7 based on the transport characteristic information.
In this embodiment, as an example, the management information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 is ink management information Info-K (“recording material management” indicating the remaining amount and characteristics of ink stored in the ink storage unit 91. An example of “information”) and waste ink management information Info-H (an example of “waste material management information”) indicating the amount of waste ink stored in the waste ink storage unit 92 are assumed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 6 includes a control board B6, a control circuit 60 (an example of “control circuit”) provided on the control board B6, and a processing information storage circuit provided on the control board B6. 61.
A connector Cn1 is provided on the control board B6. The connector Cn1 is connected to a connector Cn2 provided on the memory board B4. That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the control board B6 and the memory board B4 are directly connected without using a cable. In the present embodiment, the control board B6 on which the control circuit 60 is formed is an example of a “first board”, and the memory board B4 on which the setting information storage circuit 40 is formed is an example of a “second board”. The connector Cn1 provided on the control board B6 is an example of “first connector”, and the connector Cn2 provided on the memory board B4 is an example of “second connector”.

  The processing information storage circuit 61 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or a PROM (Programmable ROM). Non-volatile memory and one or both of them are included. The processing information storage circuit 61 stores various information necessary for executing various processing such as printing processing, copying processing, scanning processing, facsimile transmission processing, and facsimile reception processing. For example, the processing information storage circuit 61 temporarily stores the print data Img supplied from the host computer when the ink jet printer 1 executes the printing process. The processing information storage circuit 61 temporarily stores image data Dat to be transmitted to an external device when the inkjet printer 1 executes a facsimile reception process.

The control circuit 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the control circuit 60 may include a programmable logic device such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) instead of or in addition to the CPU.
The control circuit 60 controls the operation of each part of the inkjet printer 1 by a CPU provided in the control circuit 60 executing a control program stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 and operating according to the control program. . Specifically, the control circuit 60 controls the print signal SI for controlling the supply circuit 30 provided in the print unit 3, the waveform designation signal dCom for controlling the drive signal generation unit 2, and the scanner unit 5. A control signal CtrS for controlling the transport unit 7, a control signal CtrK for controlling the ink storage unit 91, a control signal CtrH for controlling the waste ink storage unit 92, etc. A signal for controlling the operation of each unit 1 is generated.

Here, the waveform designation signal dCom is a digital signal that designates the waveform of the drive signal Com.
The drive signal Com is an analog signal for driving the ejection unit D.
The print signal SI is a digital signal for designating the operation mode of the ejection unit D. Specifically, the print signal SI specifies the mode of operation of the ejection unit D by designating whether or not to supply the drive signal Com to the ejection unit D. Here, designation of the mode of operation of the ejection part D is, for example, whether or not the ejection part D is driven or whether ink is ejected from the ejection part D when the ejection part D is driven. Or specifying the amount of ink ejected from the ejection unit D when the ejection unit D is driven.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive signal generation unit 2 includes a substrate B2 and a drive signal generation circuit 20 formed on the substrate B2. The board B2 is electrically connected to the control board B6 by a cable Cb2 such as a flexible flat cable, and is electrically connected to the board B3 by a cable Cb3 such as a flexible flat cable. The drive signal generation circuit 20 generates a drive signal Com having a waveform defined by the waveform designation signal dCom based on the waveform designation signal dCom supplied from the control circuit 60 via the cable Cb2, and generates the generated drive signal Com. Is supplied to the supply circuit 30 via the cable Cb3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 5 includes a scanner (not shown) that reads an image printed on the recording paper P, a substrate B5, and a scanner drive circuit 50 formed on the substrate B5. The board B5 is electrically connected to the control board B6 by a cable Cb5 such as a flexible flat cable. The scanner drive circuit 50 drives the scanner based on a control signal CtrS supplied from the control unit 6 via the cable Cb5. Further, the scanner drive circuit 50 generates image data Dat by correcting an image read by the scanner based on the scanner characteristic information, for example.

  The communication unit 8 includes a substrate B8 and a communication circuit 80 formed on the substrate B8. The board B8 is electrically connected to the control board B6 via a cable Cb8 such as a flexible flat cable, and is electrically connected to a communication device that relays communication with an external device via a cable Cbx such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. It is connected. The communication circuit 80 converts a signal (for example, a signal including the image data Dat) supplied from the control circuit 60 into a format for communicating with the external device, and converts the signal received from the external device into the control circuit 60. To a format suitable for processing.

  The ink storage unit 91 includes an ink cartridge 911 (see FIG. 3) that stores ink, a substrate B91, and an ink amount detection circuit 910 formed on the substrate B91. The board B91 is electrically connected to the control board B6 by a cable Cb91 such as a flexible flat cable. The ink amount detection circuit 910 operates based on a control signal CtrK supplied from the control circuit 60 via the cable Cb91. Specifically, the ink amount detection circuit 910 detects the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 911 and outputs ink management information Info-K representing the detection result.

  The waste ink storage unit 92 includes a waste ink tank 921 (see FIG. 3) for storing waste ink, a substrate B92, and a waste ink amount detection circuit 920 formed on the substrate B92. The board B92 is electrically connected to the control board B6 by a cable Cb92 such as a flexible flat cable. The waste ink amount detection circuit 920 operates based on a control signal CtrH supplied from the control circuit 60 via the cable Cb92. Specifically, the waste ink amount detection circuit 920 detects the amount of waste ink in the waste ink tank 921 and outputs waste ink management information Info-H indicating the detection result.

  When the print process is executed, the control circuit 60 first stores the print data Img supplied from the host computer in the process information storage circuit 61. Next, the control circuit 60 generates a print signal SI based on the print data Img stored in the processing information storage circuit 61 and the print setting information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40, and sets the setting information. A waveform designation signal dCom is generated based on the printing characteristic information stored in the storage circuit 40, and a control signal CtrM is generated based on the conveyance characteristic information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40. Then, the control circuit 60 controls the transport unit 7 so as to change the relative position of the recording paper P with respect to the printing unit 3 in consideration of the characteristics of the transport unit 7 based on the generated various signals, and the characteristics of the printing unit 3 are controlled. The supply circuit 30 is controlled so that the discharge part D is driven in consideration. Accordingly, the control circuit 60 adjusts the presence / absence of ink ejection from the ejection unit D, the ink ejection amount, the ink ejection timing, and the like, and forms the image corresponding to the print data Img on the recording paper P. Each unit of the inkjet printer 1 is controlled so that the processing is executed.

  When the scanning process is executed, the scanner driving circuit 50 of the scanner unit 5 causes the scanner to read an image printed on the recording paper P arranged at a position where the scanner can read based on the control signal CtrS. To drive. Next, the scanner drive circuit 50 of the scanner unit 5 generates image data Dat indicating an image read by the scanner based on the scanner characteristic information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40. Then, the control circuit 60 stores the image data Dat output from the scanner unit 5 in, for example, the processing information storage circuit 61 or an external storage device.

The copy process is a process including a scan process and a print process.
When the copy process is executed, first, the scanner unit 5 and the control circuit 60 execute a scan process to generate image data Dat. Next, the control circuit 60 converts the image data Dat into print data Img in a format suitable for print processing, and stores the print data Img in the processing information storage circuit 61. Next, the control circuit 60 controls each part of the inkjet printer 1 so that the printing process is executed based on the print data Img.

The facsimile transmission process is a process including a scan process and a process for transmitting the image data Dat.
When the facsimile transmission process is executed, first, the scanner unit 5 and the control circuit 60 execute a scan process to generate image data Dat. Next, the control circuit 60 controls the communication unit 8 based on the communication setting information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 so that the image data Dat is transmitted to the external device.

The facsimile reception process is a process including a process for receiving the image data Dat and a printing process.
When the facsimile reception process is executed, first, the control circuit 60 controls the communication unit 8 so as to receive the image data Dat transmitted from the external device to the inkjet printer 1. Next, the control circuit 60 converts the image data Dat received by the communication unit 8 into print data Img having a format suitable for print processing, and stores the print data Img in the processing information storage circuit 61. Next, the control circuit 60 controls each part of the inkjet printer 1 so that the printing process is executed based on the print data Img.

The cleaning process is a process of preliminarily ejecting ink from the ejection unit D.
When the cleaning process is executed, first, the control circuit 60 controls the transport unit 7 so that the printing unit 3 moves to a position in the + Z direction when viewed from the waste ink tank 921. Next, the control circuit 60 controls the printing unit 3 so that ink is ejected from the printing unit 3 to the waste ink tank 921.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the inkjet printer 1 is a serial printer. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when performing the printing process, the inkjet printer 1 transports the recording sheet P in the sub-scanning direction and moves the printing unit 3 in the main scanning direction that intersects the sub-scanning direction. By causing ink to be ejected from the ejection part D while reciprocating, dots corresponding to the print data Img are formed on the recording paper P.
In the following, the + X direction and the −X direction that is the opposite direction are collectively referred to as the “X axis direction”, the + Y direction and the −Y direction that is the opposite direction are collectively referred to as the “Y axis direction”, and the + Z direction The −Z direction, which is the opposite direction, is collectively referred to as “Z-axis direction”. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the direction from the −X side (upstream side) to the + X side (downstream side) is the sub-scanning direction, and the Y-axis direction is the main scanning direction. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are directions orthogonal to each other. However, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are assumed. May be in any direction that intersects each other.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport unit 7 can reciprocate in the Y-axis direction inside the housing FM, and a carriage 700 on which the printing unit 3 is mounted, and a drive for reciprocating the carriage 700. A transport motor 71 as a source, a paper feed motor 73 as a drive source for transporting the recording paper P, a substrate B7, a motor drive circuit 72 formed on the substrate B7, and a substrate B7. And a motor drive circuit 74. The board B7 is electrically connected to the control board B6 by a cable Cb7 such as a flexible flat cable. The motor drive circuit 72 drives the transport motor 71 based on the control signal CtrM supplied from the control circuit 60 via the cable Cb7. The motor drive circuit 74 drives the paper feed motor 73 based on the control signal CtrM supplied from the control circuit 60 via the cable Cb7.

The transport unit 7 extends between the carriage guide shaft 76 extending in the Y-axis direction, a pulley 711 that is rotationally driven by the transport motor 71, and a rotatable pulley 712, and extends in the Y-axis direction. A timing belt 710. The carriage 700 is reciprocally supported in the Y-axis direction by a carriage guide shaft 76 and is fixed to a predetermined portion of the timing belt 710 via a fixture 701. Therefore, the conveyance unit 7 can reciprocate the carriage 700 along the carriage guide shaft 76 in the Y-axis direction together with the printing unit 3 by rotating the pulley 711 by the conveyance motor 71.
Further, the transport unit 7 rotates in accordance with the driving of the platen 75 provided on the lower side (−Z side) of the carriage 700 and the paper feed motor 73 and supplies the recording paper P onto the platen 75 one by one. , And a paper discharge roller 730 that rotates in response to the drive of the paper supply motor 73 and conveys the recording paper P on the platen 75 to the paper discharge port. For this reason, the transport unit 7 can transport the recording paper P from the −X side (upstream side) to the + X side (downstream side) on the platen 75.
In this way, when the printing process is executed, the transport unit 7 reciprocates the print unit 3 in the Y-axis direction, and transports the recording paper P in the + X direction, so that the printing unit 3 for the recording paper P is printed. The ink is allowed to land on the entire recording paper P by changing the relative position of the recording paper P.

In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
Assume that four ink cartridges 911 are mounted on the carriage 700 of the inkjet printer 1. More specifically, in this embodiment, as an example, four ink cartridges 911 corresponding to four colors (CMYK) of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are mounted on the carriage 700. It is assumed that
In the present embodiment, as an example, a case is assumed in which M ejection units D are divided into four groups corresponding to four ink cartridges 911 on a one-to-one basis. Each ejection unit D receives ink supply from the ink cartridge 911 corresponding to the group to which the ejection unit D belongs. Thereby, each discharge part D can fill the supplied ink inside, and can discharge the filled ink from the nozzle N (refer FIG. 4). That is, a total of M ejection portions D included in the printing unit 3 can eject inks of four colors CMYK as a whole. FIG. 3 is merely an example, and the ink cartridge 911 may be provided outside the carriage 700.

<< 2. Overview of recording head and discharge section >>
With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the recording head HD and the discharge section D provided in the recording head HD will be described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the recording head HD in which the recording head HD is cut so as to include the ejection portion D.
As shown in FIG. 4, the ejection unit D includes a piezoelectric element PZ, a cavity 320 filled with ink, a nozzle N communicating with the cavity 320, and a vibration plate 310. The ejection part D ejects the ink in the cavity 320 from the nozzle N by driving the piezoelectric element PZ by the supply drive signal Vin. The cavity 320 is a space defined by the cavity plate 340, the nozzle plate 330 in which the nozzles N are formed, and the vibration plate 310. The cavity 320 communicates with the reservoir 350 via the ink supply port 360. The reservoir 350 communicates with the ink cartridge 911 corresponding to the ejection unit D via the ink intake port 370.

In the present embodiment, a unimorph (monomorph) type as shown in FIG. 4 is adopted as the piezoelectric element PZ. The piezoelectric element PZ is not limited to a unimorph type, but may be a bimorph type or a laminated type.
The piezoelectric element PZ includes an upper electrode Zu, a lower electrode Zd, and a piezoelectric body Zm provided between the upper electrode Zu and the lower electrode Zd. The lower electrode Zd is electrically connected to a power supply line LHd (see FIG. 6) set to the power supply potential VBS on the low potential side. When a drive signal Com (supply drive signal Vin) is supplied to the upper electrode Zu and a voltage is applied between the upper electrode Zu and the lower electrode Zd, the piezoelectric element PZ is + Z according to the applied voltage. Displacement in the direction or −Z direction, and as a result, the piezoelectric element PZ vibrates.

  A diaphragm 310 is installed in the upper surface opening of the cavity plate 340. A lower electrode Zd is joined to the vibration plate 310. For this reason, when the piezoelectric element PZ is driven and displaced by the supply drive signal Vin, the diaphragm 310 is also displaced. Then, the volume of the cavity 320 changes due to the displacement of the vibration plate 310, and the ink filled in the cavity 320 is ejected from the nozzle N. Ink is supplied from the reservoir 350 when the ink in the cavity 320 decreases due to ink ejection.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the M nozzles N provided in the recording head HD when the inkjet printer 1 is viewed in plan from the + Z direction or the −Z direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, the print head HD is provided with four nozzle rows Ln. Here, the nozzle row Ln is a plurality of nozzles N provided so as to extend in a row in a predetermined direction. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each nozzle row Ln is configured by arranging a plurality of nozzles N so as to extend in a row in the X-axis direction.
Hereinafter, the four nozzle rows Ln provided in the recording head HD will be referred to as nozzle rows Ln-BK, Ln-CY, Ln-MG, and Ln-YL, respectively. Here, the nozzle row Ln-BK is a nozzle row Ln in which the nozzles N of the discharge portion D that discharges black ink are arranged, and the nozzle row Ln-CY is the nozzle N of the discharge portion D that discharges cyan ink. Are arranged in a nozzle row Ln, the nozzle row Ln-MG is a nozzle row Ln in which the nozzles N of the ejection unit D that ejects magenta ink are arranged, and the nozzle row Ln-YL ejects yellow ink. This is a nozzle row Ln in which the nozzles N of the discharge part D are arranged.
However, the nozzle row Ln shown in FIG. 5 is an example, and the plurality of nozzles N belonging to each nozzle row Ln are arranged with a predetermined width in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the nozzle row Ln. Also good. In other words, in each nozzle row Ln, a plurality of nozzles N belonging to each nozzle row Ln are arranged in a staggered manner so that the even-numbered nozzles N and odd-numbered nozzles N have different positions in the Y-axis direction from the + X side. May be. Each nozzle row Ln may extend in a direction different from the X-axis direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the number of nozzle rows Ln provided in the recording head HD is “4” is illustrated, but the recording head HD is provided with one or more nozzle rows Ln. Just do it.

<< 3. Configuration of printing unit >>
Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printing unit 3. As described above, the printing unit 3 includes the recording head HD, the supply circuit 30, the internal wiring LHa electrically connected to the cable Cb3 to which the drive signal Com is supplied from the drive signal generation unit 2, and the feeder line LHd. And comprising.
The supply circuit 30 includes M switches SW (SW [1] to SW [M]) and a connection state designation circuit 31 that designates the connection state of each switch SW. For example, a transmission gate can be adopted as each switch SW. FIG. 6 shows a case where M = 3 for simplicity.
The connection state designating circuit 31 switches SW [1] to SW [M] based on at least part of the clock signal CLK, the print signal SI, the latch signal LAT, and the change signal CNG supplied from the control circuit 60. ] To generate connection state designation signals SL [1] to SL [M] for designating ON / OFF.
The switch SW [m] is configured to switch between the internal wiring LHa and the upper electrode Zu [m] of the piezoelectric element PZ [m] provided in the discharge portion D [m] according to the connection state designation signal SL [m]. Switch between conduction and non-conduction. For example, the switch SW [m] is turned on when the connection state designation signal SL [m] is at a high level and turned off when the connection state designation signal SL [m] is at a low level. As described above, of the drive signal Com, the signal that is actually supplied to the piezoelectric element PZ [m] of the discharge section D [m] via the switch SW [m] is the supply drive signal Vin [m].

<< 4. Operation of printing unit >>
Hereinafter, the operation of the printing unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

  In the present embodiment, the operation period of the inkjet printer 1 includes one or a plurality of unit periods Tu. The ink jet printer 1 can drive each ejection unit D for printing processing in each unit period Tu. Then, the inkjet printer 1 causes the ink to be ejected, for example, one or more times from each of the plurality of ejection portions D by executing a printing process in a plurality of unit periods Tu provided continuously or intermittently, An image indicated by the print data Img is formed.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation of the ink jet printer 1 in the unit period Tu.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control circuit 60 outputs a latch signal LAT having a pulse PlsL. Thereby, the control circuit 60 defines the unit period Tu as a period from the rise of the pulse PlsL to the rise of the next pulse PlsL. Further, the control circuit 60 outputs a change signal CNG having a pulse PlsC. Thereby, the control circuit 60 divides the unit period Tu into a control period Tu1 from the rise of the pulse PlsL to the rise of the pulse PlsC and a control period Tu2 from the rise of the pulse PlsC to the rise of the pulse PlsL.
Further, the print signal SI includes individual designation signals Sd [1] to Sd [M] for designating operation modes of the ejection units D [1] to D [M] in each unit period Tu. When the printing process is executed in the unit period Tu, the control circuit 60 converts the print signal SI including the individual designation signals Sd [1] to Sd [M] into the clock signal CLK prior to the unit period Tu. The signals are supplied to the connection state designating circuit 31 in synchronization. In this case, the connection state designation circuit 31 generates the connection state designation signal SL [m] based on the individual designation signal Sd [m] in the unit period Tu.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the drive signal Com has a waveform PX provided in the control period Tu1 and a waveform PY provided in the control period Tu2. In the present embodiment, the waveform PX and the waveform PY are determined so that the potential difference between the highest potential VHX and the lowest potential VLX of the waveform PX is larger than the potential difference between the highest potential VHY and the lowest potential VLY of the waveform PY. Specifically, when the ejection portion D [m] is driven by the drive signal Com having the waveform PX, an amount of ink corresponding to a medium dot (medium amount) is ejected from the ejection portion D [m]. Next, the waveform PX is determined. Further, when the ejection unit D [m] is driven by the drive signal Com having the waveform PY, the waveform is such that an amount of ink corresponding to a small dot (a small amount) is ejected from the ejection unit D [m]. Determine the PY waveform. In the waveforms PX and PY, the potential at the start and end is set to the reference potential V0.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the individual designation signal Sd [m] and the connection state designation signal SL [m].
As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the individual designation signal Sd [m] is a 2-bit digital signal. Specifically, the individual designation signal Sd [m] discharges an amount of ink corresponding to a large dot (a large amount) (“large dot”) to the discharge unit D [m] in each unit period Tu. A value (1, 1) designating a medium amount of ink (which may be referred to as “medium dot formation”) (1, 0) A value (0, 1) that designates ejection of a small amount of ink (sometimes referred to as “small dot formation”) and a value (0, 0) that designates non-ejection of ink. One of the values is set.

When the individual designation signal Sd [m] is set to a value (1, 1) designating the formation of large dots, the connection state designation circuit 31 sends the connection state designation signal SL [m] to the control period Tu1 and Set to high level at Tu2. In this case, the ejection unit D [m] is driven by the drive signal Com having the waveform PX in the control period Tu1 to eject a medium amount of ink, and is driven by the drive signal Com having the waveform PY in the control period Tu2. Eject a small amount of ink. Accordingly, the ejection unit D [m] ejects a large amount of ink in total in the unit period Tu, and a large dot is formed on the recording paper P.
When the individual designation signal Sd [m] is set to a value (1,0) designating the formation of medium dots, the connection state designation circuit 31 sends the connection state designation signal SL [m] in the control period Tu1. The high level is set to the low level in the control period Tu2. In this case, the ejection part D [m] ejects a medium amount of ink in the unit period Tu, and medium dots are formed on the recording paper P.
When the individual designation signal Sd [m] is set to a value (0, 1) that designates the formation of a small dot, the connection state designation circuit 31 sends the connection state designation signal SL [m] in the control period Tu1. The low level is set to the high level in the control period Tu2. In this case, the ejection unit D [m] ejects a small amount of ink in the unit period Tu, and small dots are formed on the recording paper P.
When the individual designation signal Sd [m] is set to a value (0, 0) that designates non-ejection of ink, the connection state designation circuit 31 sends the connection state designation signal SL [m] to the control periods Tu1 and Tu2. Set to low level at. In this case, the ejection unit D [m] does not eject ink and does not form dots on the recording paper P in the unit period Tu.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the connection state designating circuit 31 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the connection state designation circuit 31 generates connection state designation signals SL [1] to SL [M].
Specifically, the connection state designating circuit 31 includes transfer circuits SR [1] to SR [M] and a latch circuit LT [M] so as to correspond one-to-one with the discharge units D [1] to D [M]. 1] to LT [M] and decoders DC [1] to DC [M]. Among these, the individual designation signal Sd [m] is supplied to the transfer circuit SR [m]. In this figure, the individual designation signals Sd [1] to Sd [M] are supplied serially. For example, the individual designation signal Sd [m] corresponding to m stages is transferred from the transfer circuit SR [1] to the transfer circuit SR. A case is illustrated in which [m] is sequentially transferred in synchronization with the clock signal CLK. The latch circuit LT [m] latches the individual designation signal Sd [m] supplied to the transfer circuit SR [m] at the timing when the pulse PlsL of the latch signal LAT rises to a high level. Further, the decoder DC [m] generates a connection state designation signal SL [m] according to FIG. 8 based on the individual designation signal Sd [m], the latch signal LAT, and the change signal CNG.

<< 5. Conclusion of embodiment >>
In the printing process, the ink ejected from the ejection unit D may become mist and float inside the housing FM. The ink floating as mist may be charged. For this reason, the ink that floats as mist is a control board B6 on which a control circuit 60 that generates many signals such as a print signal SI and a waveform designation signal dCom is formed, or a drive signal that generates a high-voltage drive signal Com. There is a high possibility of adhering to the substrate B2 or the like on which the generation circuit 20 is formed. When ink adheres to the substrate, there is a possibility that a problem occurs in the circuit on the substrate. Therefore, in the ink jet printer 1, there may be a problem caused by the ink floating as mist adhering to the control board B6 on which the control circuit 60 is formed and the board B2 on which the drive signal generation circuit 20 is formed. High nature. That is, in the inkjet printer 1, the possibility that the control board B6 or the board B2 needs to be replaced is higher than the possibility that another board needs to be replaced.
On the other hand, in this embodiment, the setting information storage circuit 40 for storing setting information, characteristic information, and management information is formed on a memory substrate B4 different from the control substrate B6 and the substrate B2. Therefore, even when the control board B6 or the board B2 needs to be replaced, the possibility that the memory board B4 needs to be replaced with the control board B6 or the board B2 can be reduced. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, when the control board B6 or the board B2 is replaced, the possibility of losing the setting information, characteristic information, and management information stored in the setting information storage circuit 40 can be reduced. it can.

<< B. Modification >>
Each of the above forms can be variously modified. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a range that does not contradict each other. In addition, about the element in which an effect | action and a function are equivalent to embodiment in the modification illustrated below, the code | symbol referred by the above description is diverted and each detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

<< Modification 1 >>
In the above-described embodiment, the memory board B4 and the control board B6 are directly connected without a cable, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the memory board B4 and the control board B6 are Alternatively, they may be electrically connected by a cable such as a flexible flat cable.

<< Modification 2 >>
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the drive signal generation circuit 20 is formed on the substrate B2 different from the control substrate B6. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. 20 may be formed on the control board B6. In the embodiment and the modification described above, the scanner drive circuit 50, the motor drive circuit 72, the motor drive circuit 74, the communication circuit 80, the ink amount detection circuit 910, and the waste ink amount detection circuit 920 are connected to the control board B6. Are formed on different substrates, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The scanner drive circuit 50, the motor drive circuit 72, the motor drive circuit 74, the communication circuit 80, the ink amount detection circuit 910, The waste ink amount detection circuit 920 may be formed on the control board B6. In short, in the present invention, circuits other than the setting information storage circuit 40 may be formed on the control board B6.

<< Modification 3 >>
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the inkjet printer 1 can execute a printing process, a copy process, a scan process, a facsimile transmission process, a facsimile reception process, and a cleaning process. The inkjet printer 1 is not limited as long as it can execute at least a printing process.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the inkjet printer 1 includes the control unit 6, the drive signal generation unit 2, the printing unit 3, the storage unit 4, the transport unit 7, the scanner unit 5, the communication unit 8, and the ink storage unit 91. In addition, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the inkjet printer 1 includes at least a control unit 6, a drive signal generation unit 2, a printing unit 3, and a transport unit. 7 and the storage unit 4 may be provided.

<< Modification 4 >>
In the embodiment and the modification described above, the inkjet printer 1 includes one drive signal generation circuit 20 and one recording head HD. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and an inkjet printer 1 is provided. The printer 1 may include a plurality of drive signal generation circuits 20 or a plurality of recording heads HD.
For example, the inkjet printer 1 may drive the ejection unit D by selectively supplying a plurality of types of drive signals Com having different waveforms to the ejection units D included in the recording head HD. . In this case, the drive signal generation unit 2 may be provided with a plurality of drive signal generation circuits 20 so as to correspond to the plurality of types of drive signals Com on a one-to-one basis. For example, when the inkjet printer 1 has a plurality of recording heads HD, the driving signal generation unit 2 is provided with a plurality of driving signal generation circuits 20 so as to correspond to the recording heads HD one-to-one. It may be done.

<< Modification 5 >>
In the embodiment and the modification described above, it is assumed that the ink jet printer 1 is a serial printer. However, the present invention is not limited to such a mode, and the ink jet printer 1 includes a plurality of recording heads HD. A so-called line printer may be used in which the nozzles N are provided so as to extend wider than the width of the recording paper P.

<< Modification 6 >>
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the piezo-type ink jet printer 1 that ejects ink using the piezoelectric element PZ is illustrated as an example of the printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect. Alternatively, the printing apparatus may be a printer other than a piezo ink jet printer. For example, the printing apparatus may be a thermal inkjet printer, a thermal transfer printer, a thermal printer, a laser printer, Other types of printers or so-called “multifunction devices” may be used.
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, ink has been described as an example of the recording material. However, the present invention is not limited to such an aspect, and the recording material is formed on the recording paper P. Any substance that can be a constituent material of an image may be used. For example, the recording material may be toner.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inkjet printer, 2 ... Drive signal generation unit, 3 ... Printing unit, 4 ... Storage unit, 5 ... Scanner unit, 6 ... Control unit, 7 ... Conveyance unit, 8 ... Communication unit, 20 ... Drive signal generation circuit, 30 ... Supply circuit, 40 ... Setting information storage circuit, 50 ... Scanner drive circuit, 60 ... Control circuit, 61 ... Processing information storage circuit, 71 ... Conveyance motor, 72 ... Motor drive circuit, 73 ... Feed motor, 74 ... Motor drive Circuit: 80 ... Communication circuit, 91 ... Ink storage unit, 92 ... Waste ink storage unit, 910 ... Ink amount detection circuit, 920 ... Waste ink amount detection circuit, B4 ... Memory board, B6 ... Control board, Cn1 ... Connector, Cn2 ... Connector, D ... Discharge part, HD ... Recording head.

Claims (7)

A printing unit that forms an image on a medium using a recording material;
A transport unit for transporting the medium;
A control circuit for controlling the printing unit and the transport unit;
A storage circuit that stores printing characteristic information indicating characteristics of the printing unit, and conveyance characteristic information indicating characteristics of the conveyance unit;
With
The control circuit is provided on the first substrate,
The memory circuit is provided on a second substrate;
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The first substrate has a first connector;
The second substrate has a second connector;
The first connector is connected to the second connector;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The memory circuit is
Storing setting information of the printing apparatus designated by a user of the printing apparatus;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. It has a scanner unit that reads images printed on media,
The memory circuit is
Storing scanner characteristic information indicating characteristics of the scanner unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. A communication unit capable of transmitting information representing an image printed on a medium to an external device;
The memory circuit is
Storing communication setting information indicating settings for transmission of information representing the image performed by the communication unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. A recording material storage unit for storing the recording material;
The memory circuit is
Storing recording material management information indicating the remaining amount of the recording material stored by the recording material storage unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. A waste material storage unit for storing the waste material which is the discarded recording material,
The memory circuit is
Storing waste management information indicating the amount of the waste stored in the waste storage unit;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.

Images