JP3564024B2 - Recording head and recording apparatus using the recording head - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording head and a recording apparatus using the recording head, and more particularly, to a recording head that performs recording according to an ink jet method and a recording apparatus using the recording head.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Since a recent ink jet printer can perform color recording, it is necessary to discharge a plurality of inks such as yellow, magenta, and cyan to a recording medium in addition to black ink. For this reason, many printers have a plurality of recording heads arranged in a moving direction (main scanning direction) of a carriage on which the plurality of recording heads are mounted and moved. In addition, many printers are equipped with a print head in which a plurality of ink discharge nozzle rows corresponding to inks of different colors are arranged in the main scanning direction and these nozzle rows are integrated as one print head. ing.
[0003]
On the other hand, irrespective of the configuration of the print head and nozzle row as described above, in order to realize high-definition color printing, how exactly dots recorded on a print medium by each color ink can be superimposed. Is the biggest problem.
[0004]
In order to solve the problem of such registration (hereinafter simply referred to as “registration registration”), it is almost impossible for a printer equipped with a plurality of recording heads to mechanically and accurately register dots of each color ink. Since it is possible, the printer is configured so that the timing for driving each of the plurality of recording heads can be freely changed, and an electric adjustment means is provided so that the dot position of about ± several tens dot pitch can be shifted in the main scanning direction. In general, a registration pattern is recorded on a recording medium prior to actual recording, and the user visually determines the amount of misregistration and performs registration.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, it is almost impossible to provide a head drive signal for each of a plurality of recording heads in a general and relatively inexpensive conventional color printer because the system becomes complicated and expensive because of the following reasons.
[0006]
(1) Many signal lines to the recording head
(2) Drive timing circuits are required for the number of recording heads
For this reason, most printers commonly use signals (signal lines) other than the signals for transmitting print data. In such a printer, since the driving timings of all of the plurality of heads are simultaneous, registration adjustment can be performed only in units of one dot pitch, and there has been a problem that a registration deviation of a maximum 1/2 dot pitch remains.
[0007]
On the other hand, even with an integrated recording head having a plurality of nozzle rows, registration is limited to about several tens of μm in terms of manufacturing. However, in a print head having a print resolution of 600 dpi, the dot pitch is about 42 μm, so that there is a problem that this shift amount is unacceptable.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example. Even when printing is performed using a plurality of print heads or a print head having a plurality of print element arrays, accurate registration between print dots can be performed. It is an object to provide a recording head capable of achieving the above and a recording apparatus using the recording head.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a recording head of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, a recording method having a plurality of recording element arrays, dividing a plurality of recording elements constituting each of the plurality of recording element arrays into a plurality of blocks, and performing recording by time-division driving for each block. A head, a storage circuit that stores a value based on a shift amount of a value equal to or less than a recording resolution in a scanning direction that scans the recording element sequence on a recording medium, and according to the value stored in the storage circuit, A printing circuit is driven in the drive block order by using a change circuit that changes the drive block order and print data related to a plurality of print columns that are delayed according to the drive block order changed by the change circuit. And a recording circuit for performing recording by performing registration with another recording element sequence.
[0010]
In addition, for example, a plurality of printing element arrays including the first and second printing element arrays are arranged at intervals in the scanning direction on the print head, and the change circuit thereof changes at least one of the plurality of printing element arrays. The block drive order may be changed.
[0011]
Here, the block division may be performed by dividing a plurality of recording elements constituting each of the first and second recording element strings into N blocks in the order of arrangement, or may be performed by first and second recording elements. The recording may be performed by dividing the plurality of recording elements constituting each column into K blocks each of which skips M pieces. For example, the number of block divisions includes four divisions, eight divisions, sixteen divisions, and thirty-two divisions.
[0012]
It is desirable that the arrangement of the recording elements constituting each of the first and second recording element arrays be oblique in the scanning direction.
[0013]
Further, it is preferable that a delay circuit for delaying the output of the recording data to the recording element of each block constituting the recording element sequence is provided in accordance with the change of the driving order of each block by the changing circuit.
[0014]
The recording head is preferably an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. Further, the ink jet recording head uses thermal energy that is applied to ink in order to discharge ink using thermal energy. It is preferable to provide an electrothermal converter for generating the heat.
[0015]
Such a recording head further includes third and fourth recording element arrays in a first direction alongside the first and second recording element arrays, and these first, second, third, and It is desirable to perform color printing by ejecting yellow ink, magenta ink, cyan ink, and black ink from each of the fourth printing element arrays.
[0016]
Further, each of the first and second recording element arrays may be configured as a single recording head.
[0017]
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which performs printing using the print head having the above-described configuration, comprising: a scanning unit mounted with the print head to perform reciprocal scanning in the scanning direction; and printing data to the print head. Output means for outputting.
[0018]
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a plurality of printing elements constituting a printing element array of a printing head having a plurality of printing element arrays are divided into a plurality of blocks, and printing is performed by performing time-division driving for each block. An apparatus for storing, in the recording head, a value based on a shift amount of a value equal to or less than a recording resolution in a scanning direction in which the recording element array is scanned on a recording medium; Changing means for changing the drive block order according to the value, and using print data related to a plurality of print columns delayed in accordance with the drive block order changed by the change means, A recording apparatus is provided, which has a recording unit for performing recording by driving a recording element in a drive block order to perform registration adjustment with another recording element row.
[0019]
Here, the recording apparatus having the above configuration further includes a delay unit that delays output of print data to a print element of each block configuring the print element sequence according to a change in the drive order of each block by the change unit. It may be provided.
[0020]
With the above configuration, the present invention can change the order of driving the blocks in the printing element sequence according to the value based on the shift amount stored in the memory circuit without transmitting a special control signal from the printing apparatus. , So that the registration can be adjusted with a value equal to or less than the recording resolution in the scanning direction in which the recording element rows are arranged.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0022]
<Schematic description of the device body>
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the outline of the configuration of an ink jet printer IJRA which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a carriage HC that engages with a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 that rotates via driving force transmission gears 5009 to 5011 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Then, it is supported by the guide rail 5003 and reciprocates in the directions of arrows a and b. On the carriage HC, an integrated type ink jet cartridge IJC containing a recording head IJH and an ink tank IT is mounted. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the recording paper P against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which are home position detectors for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the print head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 denotes a suction device that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the print head through an opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 5019 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction. These members are supported by a main body support plate 5018. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 5021 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery from suction, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 which engages with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission mechanism such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0023]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If the above operation is performed, any of the embodiments can be applied.
[0024]
<Description of control configuration>
Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-described apparatus will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the inkjet printer IJRA. In the figure showing a control circuit, 1700 is an interface for inputting a print signal, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is various data (supplied to the print signal and the print head IJH). This is a DRAM for storing recording data and the like. A gate array (GA) 1704 controls supply of print data to the print head IJH, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head IJH, and reference numeral 1709 denotes a transport motor for transporting the recording paper. Reference numeral 1705 denotes a head driver for driving the recording head IJH, and reference numerals 1706 and 1707 denote motor drivers for driving the transport motor 1709 and the carrier motor 1710, respectively.
[0025]
The operation of the above control configuration will be described. When a print signal enters the interface 1700, the print signal is converted into print data for printing between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701. Then, the motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the printhead IJH is driven in accordance with the print data sent to the head driver 1705 to perform printing.
[0026]
As described above, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be integrally formed to constitute a replaceable ink cartridge IJC. However, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH may be configured to be separable. Then, when the ink runs out, only the ink tank IT may be replaced.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge IJC in which an ink tank and a head are separable. In the ink cartridge IJC, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank IT and the recording head IJH can be separated at the position of the boundary line K. When the ink cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC, the ink cartridge IJC is provided with an electrode (not shown) for receiving an electric signal supplied from the carriage HC, and the electric signal causes the recording head IJH to operate as described above. Is driven to eject ink.
[0028]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 500 denotes an ink ejection port array (recording element array) in which ink ejection ports (nozzles) constituting the printing elements are arranged. In FIG. 3, the number of the discharge ports is shown small for convenience of explanation. The ink tank IT is provided with a fibrous or porous ink absorber for holding ink, and the ink is held by the ink absorber. The recording element includes ink discharge ports (nozzles), ink flow paths communicating with the respective discharge ports, heaters provided corresponding to the respective ink flow paths, and the like.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the recording head IJH according to the embodiment as viewed from the ink ejection surface.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 4, the print head IJH is arranged with two rows of ink ejection nozzles (hereinafter, referred to as nozzle rows) in the main scanning direction, which is the direction in which the carriage HC moves, with two rows therebetween. Each of these two nozzle rows 1a and 1b is composed of 32 nozzles 2, and the nozzles of each row are divided into four blocks as one block in which eight nozzles are continuously driven simultaneously, and each block is driven. The recording operation is performed with the timing shifted.
[0031]
Therefore, when ink is ejected while the recording head IJH is moved in the main scanning direction, if the nozzle rows are arranged perpendicular to the main scanning direction, the dot array recorded for every eight consecutive nozzles is When the nozzles are shifted, as a result, when viewed from all nozzles, the recording dot rows are greatly shifted and tilted. And the vertical direction.
[0032]
However, the amount of dot deviation at the joint between the blocks may be different in the main scanning direction as shown by the recorded dot pattern on the right side of FIG. 4 because each nozzle row is divided into four blocks and driven. It is 1/4 of the dot pitch.
[0033]
In recent high-definition printers, a shift of 1/4 pitch cannot be tolerated in order to maintain the high quality of the recorded image, and the number of divided blocks is generally set to "8" or "16". In this example, the number of divided blocks is set to "4" for simplification of the description.
[0034]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a logic circuit of the printhead IJH according to the present invention.
[0035]
For the sake of simplicity, this figure shows a circuit configuration for driving one nozzle of the two nozzle rows shown in FIG. Actually, two such circuits are mounted on the print head IJH.
[0036]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a logic circuit of a conventional print head. Here, the configuration shown is a configuration of a print head that has the same 32 ink ejection nozzles as the print head IJH, and divides these nozzles into four blocks of eight each in a time-division manner. Therefore, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the same components and the same signals are denoted by the same reference numerals and the same reference symbols.
[0037]
The recording head having the configuration shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 basically operates as follows.
[0038]
That is, the print data signal (IDATA) is serially transferred to four serially connected 8-bit shift registers (S / R) 103 in synchronization with the transfer clock (DCLK), and thereafter, the print data stored in the shift registers is stored. The signal is latched in four 8-bit latch circuits (L / T) 104 in synchronization with the latch clock (LTCLK).
[0039]
On the other hand, since the input drive block signals (BENB0, 1) are decoded by the 2 → 4 decoder 107, the drive block order is determined by the drive block signals (BENB0, 1). Then, three signals of the signal indicating the drive block order output from the 2 → 4 decoder 107, the input drive signal (HEAT), and the output from the four 8-bit latch circuits (L / T) 104 are 4 The signals are input to the eight 8-bit drivers 105, and the logical product of these signals is calculated, and the heater 106 is driven based on the calculation result.
[0040]
However, the logic circuit according to this embodiment has a configuration in which, in addition to such basic operations, the registration of 0 to +1/2 dots can be shifted in the main scanning direction for one nozzle row. The recording head IJH having two nozzle rows has a configuration in which registration can be relatively performed between the nozzle rows 1a and 1b in a range of -1/2 to +1/2 bit pitch.
[0041]
That is, the registration correction is performed in the unit of (dot pitch / number of block divisions) by changing only the driving block order of the nozzle row 1b and shifting the recording data signal (IDATA) according to the order change.
[0042]
Hereinafter, the registration correction will be described in detail.
[0043]
First, a method of changing the drive block order will be described.
[0044]
A fuse 108 shown in FIG. 5 is a fuse for setting a registration deviation amount. In this embodiment, since a recording head that performs four-block time-division driving is used, two fuses are provided so that two bits can be expressed in order to express four stages corresponding to the number of block divisions. . The amount of registration deviation between the two nozzle rows shown in FIG. 4 is measured in advance in the manufacturing process of the recording head, and a value represented by 2 bits is set by cutting the fuse 108 by laser trimming according to the measured value. You.
[0045]
The signal representing the amount of registration deviation and the drive block signal (BENB0,1) are input to the block encoder 109 as shown in FIG. 5, and according to the relationship shown in the table of FIG. ). Then, the block selection signal (BLK0, 1) is input to the 2 → 4 decoder 107, decoded, and converted into the drive block order as shown in FIG.
[0046]
FIG. 7 is a conversion table of the block selection signal (BLK0, 1) corresponding to the drive block signal (BENB0, 1). As shown in FIG. 7, four amounts (0 to 3) are expressed by a total of two bits of the drive block signals (BENB0, 1), and three registration deviation amounts of ± 0, ± 1/4, ± 1/2 and , A 2-bit block selection signal (BLK0, 1) is determined.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a time chart of various control signals handled by the recording head IJH.
[0048]
In FIG. 8, (A) shows a normal drive block order. That is, the value of the 2-bit block selection signal (BLK0, 1) is cyclically changed in the order of “0” → “1” → “2” → “3” →... Each block is driven in the order of block 0 → block 1 → block 2 → block 3 →... However, the drive block order is changed as shown by the value of the block selection signal (BLK0, 1) in FIGS. 8B and 8C according to the amount of registration deviation.
[0049]
Next, a method of correcting a shift of the recording data signal (IDATA) at the time of correcting the registration shift will be described.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 7, the state of the fuse 108 is decoded by the 2 → 4 decoder 110 into signals representing three states of 0, ± １ ／, and ± １ ／ according to the amount of registration deviation. Shown in FIG.
[0051]
Here, when the registration deviation = 0, none of the fuses has been blown, and the tri-state buffer 111-3 is turned on and the tri-state buffer 112-3 is cut off, so that the recording data signal (IDATA) is The data is directly input to the 8-bit shift register (S / R) 103B-3, and is shifted to the 8-bit shift register 103B-2, the 8-bit shift register 103B-1, and the 8-bit shift register 103B-0 according to the transfer clock (DCLK). Is done. In this manner, the shifted recording data signal is directly input to the four 8-bit latch circuits (L / T) 104 in accordance with the input of the latch clock (LTCLK), and as shown in FIG. Then, the recording data signals N0, N1, N2, and N3 of the same column are latched by the four 8-bit latch circuits (L / T) 104.
[0052]
On the other hand, when the misregistration is ± １ ／, one of the fuses 108 is blown to output a signal of (0, 1) from the fuses, the tri-state buffer 111-2 is turned on, and the tri-state buffer 111-2 is turned on. Since the block 112-2 is turned off, the recording data signal (IDATA) includes the 8-bit shift register 103A-3, the 8-bit shift register 103B-2, the 8-bit shift register 103B-1, the 8-bit shift register 103B-0, and the 8-bit shift register 103B-0. The data is shifted to the shift register 103B-3.
[0053]
In this case, since the 8-bit shift register 103A-3 is newly added to the transfer path, the last data supplied to the print head in one-column data transfer is held in the 8-bit shift register 103A-3. , And is supplied to the 8-bit shift register 103B-3 by the data transfer clock of the next column.
[0054]
Accordingly, as the output from the shift register to the latch 104, specifically, the 8-bit shift registers 103B-0 to 103-2 output the recording data signals N0, N1, and N2 of the same column. The register 103B-3 outputs (N-1) 3, which is the recording data signal one column before.
[0055]
Similarly, when the misregistration is ± 1/2, the other of the fuses 108 is blown to output a (1, 0) signal from the fuses, and the tri-state buffer 111-1 is turned on and the tri-state buffer 111-1 is turned on. Since the state buffer 112-1 is cut off, the recording data signals output from the four 8-bit shift registers to the latch 104 are (N-1) 2, (N-1), N0, N1, one column before the same column. ) 3.
[0056]
As described above, the shift correction is also performed on the print data signal output from the shift register according to the registration shift.
[0057]
Next, a description will be given, with reference to the arrangement of actually printed dots shown in FIGS.
[0058]
FIG. 9 shows registration adjustment by shifting the position of ink droplets on the recording medium in the main scanning direction when ink is ejected onto the recording medium using the recording head IJH having the nozzle arrangement shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a dot arrangement when performing the above.
[0059]
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the dot arrangement shown in FIG.
[0060]
In the recording head IJH, the signals for driving the heaters of the nozzle rows 1a and 1b are shared, so that the ink ejection from each nozzle row is always performed at the same time. Therefore, if the distance between the corresponding dots in the main scanning direction of the two nozzle rows is an integral multiple of the dot pitch, the dots recorded by the ink droplets ejected from each of the nozzles should just overlap on the recording medium. Become.
[0061]
Here, for the sake of simplicity, the distance in the main scanning direction of the corresponding dot recorded by discharging ink from the two nozzle rows 1a and 1b is exactly m times the dot pitch (m is a positive integer). Assume that 9 and 10, ○ represents dots recorded with ink from the nozzle row 1a, and ● or hatched black circles represent dots recorded with ink from the nozzle row 1b.
[0062]
9A and 9B, (A), (B), and (C) respectively show a state in which recording is performed by ink ejected from the nozzle row 1b, and then ink is ejected at a timing at which the nozzle row 1a moves by m dot pitch. 8 (A), 8 (B), and 8 (C) show the timings of the drive signals that cause ink ejection from the corresponding nozzle row 1b. It is a chart.
[0063]
FIGS. 9A and 10A show a case where dots recorded by ink ejected from the nozzle rows 1a and 1b just overlap. This is because the distance between the nozzle rows 1a and 1b is an integral multiple (m times) of the dot pitch, and the order of the drive blocks (BLK0 to 1) of the nozzle rows 1a and 1b is the same.
[0064]
That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the block drive order is block 0 → block 1 → block 2 → block 3, first, as shown in FIG. This is because, after the ejection, the ink is sequentially ejected from each of the eight nozzles of block 1, block 2, and block 3.
[0065]
Next, FIGS. 9B and 10B show the case where only the driving block order of the nozzle row 1b is changed from block 3 to block 0 to block 1 to block 2 as shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. At this time, the dot positions recorded by the nozzle row 1a are the same as those shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A because the drive block order is the same, but in the ink ejection from the nozzle row 1b, Since the block 3 is driven, the ink is ejected from the lowermost block 3 and then driven sequentially in the order of block 0 → block 1 → block 2 to eject the ink. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 (B) and FIG. 10 (B), the dot ● recorded by the nozzle row 1b is shifted by + ／ dot pitch in the main scanning direction with respect to the dot ○ recorded by the nozzle row 1a. Will be shifted.
[0066]
9 (C) and 10 (C) show the dot arrangement when only the driving block order of the nozzle row 1b is set to block 1 → block 2 → block 3 → block 0 as shown in FIG. 8 (C). FIG. At this time, since the eight nozzles of the block 1 eject ink, the ink is ejected by sequentially driving the block 2 → block 3 → block 0 to eject ink. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10C, recording is performed by the nozzle row 1a. The dot recorded by the nozzle row 1b is shifted by dot pitch in the main scanning direction with respect to the dot to be printed.
[0067]
In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the shift of + ／ dot has been described, but if the drive block order is set to block 2 → block 3 → block 0 → block 1 in the same manner, the pitch is +1/2 dot, and If 1 → block 2 → block 3 → block 0, the pitch is shifted by +3/4 dot pitch.
[0068]
Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 9C, if the driving block order is block 2 → block 3 → block 0 → block 1, the dot pitch is-／, and further, block 3 → block 0 → block 1 → Block 2 is shifted by -3/4 dot pitch.
[0069]
Next, a description will be given of an image shift that occurs when the above-described registration error correction is performed.
[0070]
In the example shown in FIG. 9A, since the dots recorded by the nozzle rows 1a and 1b all overlap, an image of the same column is recorded. That is, in FIG. 8A, N0 to N3 of the print data signal (IDATA) are printed by eight nozzles corresponding to blocks 0 to 3, respectively. However, in the example shown in FIG. 9B, the dots recorded by the nozzle row 1a are based on the recording data signals of the same (N) columns, but the dots recorded by the nozzle 1b row are blocks 0 to 2. Are used in the same column (N0-2), but the print data signal used in the block 3 is (N-1) 3, which is one column before (N-1). In the example shown in FIG. 9C, the print data signals used in blocks 1 to 3 are of the same column (N1 to N3), but the print data signal used in block 0 is one column later (N1 to N3). (N + 1) 0 of (N + 1).
[0071]
In the recording head used in the embodiment described above, since two nozzle rows are formed in one module, the mechanical registration deviation amount can be kept within ± 1/2 dot pitch.
[0072]
Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, the registration deviation amount can be made almost zero by the registration deviation correction by the electric control.
[0073]
However, in a printer or the like that employs a configuration in which one set of independent recording heads are arranged in the main scanning direction, the amount of misregistration is usually 1 dot pitch or more. In this case, first, the recording data signal is shifted by the number of columns corresponding to the amount of registration deviation and transferred, as in the conventional case, so that correction is performed in dot pitch units. A shift correction may be applied.
[0074]
FIG. Not the invention Of a print head having one long (large number of nozzles) nozzle row 1 Reference example so Ah You.
[0075]
Further, in the embodiment described above, an example is described in which 32 nozzles constituting one nozzle row are divided into four blocks of eight nozzles in the arrangement order and each block is time-divisionally driven. The driving method is not limited to the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, 32 nozzles are divided into eight blocks of four every eight nozzles, and each block is sequentially driven. That is, a total of four nozzles are simultaneously driven every eight nozzles. May be time-division driven.
[0076]
Also in this case, when the recording operation is performed while moving the recording head in the direction of the arrow (main scanning direction), if the nozzle row is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, the recording is performed in the same manner as the recording head IJH described with reference to FIG. In consideration of the inclination of the dot array to be printed, the recording head is tilted in the main scanning direction in advance so that the dot array to be recorded is perpendicular to the main scanning direction.
[0077]
In a recording head that performs such a time-division driving, a dot shift does not occur at a joint of each block as shown in FIG. 4, but, for example, a vertical ruled line is not recorded by one recording operation, but As shown in FIG. 12, recording is performed at a drive timing in a separate column for each group including eight nozzles.
[0078]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a dot arrangement when the registration position is adjusted by shifting the dot position recorded by the recording head performing the time-division driving shown in FIG. 12 in the main scanning direction. Similar to FIG. 9, in FIG. 13, (A) shows the case where the shift amount = 0, (B) shows the case where the shift amount = + ／ dot pitch, and (C) shows the case where the shift amount = − ／ dot pitch. Represents a dot array.
[0079]
In FIG. 13, the drive block order of (A) is group 0 → group 1 → group 2 → group 3 → group 4 → group 5 → group 6 → group 7 →..., (B) is group 7 → group 0 → group 1 → Group 2 → Group 3 → Group 4 → Group 5 → Group 6 → ..., (C) shows Group 1 → Group 2 → Group 3 → Group 4 → Group 5 → Group 6 → Group 7 → Group 0 → It is.
[0080]
On the other hand, regarding the deviation correction of the recording data signal, the deviation of the recording data signal may be performed in the printer, and the shifted data may be transmitted to the recording head, and the deviation correction may be transmitted to the printer. However, if a logic circuit in the print head is provided with a print data signal shift function as in the above-described embodiment, the data can be transferred to the printer or the host. The present invention can be said to be particularly effective when a recording head that is exchanged for the same apparatus is used, since this correction can be performed in the recording head without performing the deviation correction.
[0081]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the drive block signal is a common signal for all nozzle rows. However, a change in the drive block order is realized by a printer, and a separate signal is transmitted to each nozzle row. Is also good.
[0082]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, for simplicity of description, a print head having two nozzle rows has been described. For example, a print head having four nozzle rows in the carriage direction, or Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a configuration in which four recording heads are arranged in the carriage moving direction. In this case, color printing can be realized by ejecting cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks from four nozzle rows or four printing heads, respectively. Then, by applying the present invention, fine registration adjustment of dots recorded by four inks is performed, and a high-quality color image excellent in color reproducibility can be recorded.
[0083]
In addition to this, the present invention can be applied to a case in which more nozzle rows and recording heads are provided to eject inks of similar colors and different densities, and in this case, the gradation expression is further improved. An excellent high-quality color image can be recorded.
[0084]
In the embodiment described above, an example in which two printing element arrays (nozzle arrays) are provided has been described. However, a configuration having one printing element array may be employed. However, the present invention is particularly effective for adjusting a relative position between a plurality of printing element arrays.
[0085]
In the above embodiments, the description has been made assuming that the droplets ejected from the recording head are ink, and the liquid contained in the ink tank is ink, but the contained matter is limited to ink. Not something. For example, an ink tank may contain a processing liquid discharged to a recording medium in order to improve the fixing property and water resistance of the recorded image or to improve the image quality.
[0086]
The above-described embodiment includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for causing ink to be ejected, particularly in an ink jet recording system. By using a method that causes a change in the state, it is possible to achieve higher density and higher definition of recording.
[0087]
Regarding the typical configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). Applying at least one drive signal corresponding to recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, thereby causing the electrothermal transducer to generate heat energy, and This is effective because a film in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal can be formed on a one-to-one basis by causing film boiling on the heat acting surface. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed in a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.
[0088]
As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.
[0089]
As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid flow path or the right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, a heat acting surface A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670 discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter for a plurality of electrothermal converters, or an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged. A configuration based on JP-A-59-138461, which discloses a configuration corresponding to each unit, may be adopted.
[0091]
In addition, not only the cartridge-type recording head in which the ink tank is provided integrally with the recording head itself described in the above embodiment, but also the electric connection with the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. A replaceable chip-type recording head that can supply ink from the apparatus main body may be used.
[0092]
It is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like to the configuration of the printing apparatus described above because the printing operation can be further stabilized. Specific examples thereof include capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or sucking means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof. It is also effective to provide a preliminary ejection mode for performing ejection that is different from printing, in order to perform stable printing.
[0093]
Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and may be a printing head integrally formed or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The device may be provided with at least one of the full colors.
[0094]
In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the ink is a liquid.However, even if the ink solidifies at room temperature or below, an ink that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. Alternatively, in the ink jet system, the temperature of the ink itself is controlled within a range of 30 ° C. or more and 70 ° C. or less to control the temperature so that the viscosity of the ink is in a stable ejection range. It is sufficient if the ink is sometimes in a liquid state.
[0095]
In addition, to prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy of the state change of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, or to prevent the ink from evaporating, the ink solidifies in a standing state. Alternatively, ink that liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by the application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or the one that already starts to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.
[0096]
In addition to the above, the recording apparatus according to the present invention may include, as an image output terminal of an information processing apparatus such as a computer, an integrated or separate apparatus, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and a transmission / reception function. It may take the form of a facsimile machine.
[0097]
The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), but may be applied to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, etc.) including one device. May be applied.
[0098]
Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to store the storage medium. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the program.
[0099]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0100]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, and the like can be used.
[0101]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0102]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0103]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if a special control signal is not transmitted from the printing apparatus, the order in which the blocks in the printing element sequence are driven is determined according to the value based on the shift amount stored in the memory circuit. By changing the value, the registration can be adjusted with a value equal to or less than the recording resolution in the scanning direction in which the recording element rows are arranged.
[0104]
Thereby, the quality of the recorded image can be made high quality.
[0105]
Particularly, in the case of a recording head having a plurality of recording element arrays, there is an advantage that registration accuracy in manufacturing can be eased. Further, since registration adjustment is completed in the print head, a registration alignment function on the side of the printing apparatus on which the print head is mounted becomes unnecessary, which contributes to simplification of the apparatus configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an outline of a configuration of an ink jet printer IJRA which is a typical embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the inkjet printer IJRA.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of an ink cartridge IJC in which an ink tank and a head are separable.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of the recording head IJH viewed from an ink ejection surface.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a logic circuit of the printhead IJH.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a logic circuit of a conventional printhead.
FIG. 7 is a conversion table for converting a drive block signal (BENB0, 1) into a block selection signal (BLK0, 1) according to a registration shift amount.
FIG. 8 is a time chart of various control signals handled by the recording head IJH.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a dot arrangement when registration adjustment is performed by shifting a position where ink droplets are adhered on a recording medium in a main scanning direction.
FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of the dot arrangement shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a nozzle arrangement surface of a print head including one long (large number of nozzles) nozzle row.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing dots printed by dividing 32 nozzles into eight blocks of four every eight nozzles, and performing time-division driving for each block.
13 is a diagram illustrating a dot arrangement when registration adjustment is performed by shifting a dot position recorded by a recording head that performs time division driving illustrated in FIG. 12 in a main scanning direction.
[Explanation of symbols]
IJH recording head
1, 1a, 1b nozzle row
2 nozzles
103, 103A-2-3, 103B-0-3 8-bit shift register (S / R)
104 8-bit latch circuit (L / T)
105 8-bit driver
106 Drive heater
107, 110 2 → 4 decoder
108 fuse
109 block encoder
111-1-3, 112-1-3 Tri-state buffers

Claims (15)

A recording head which has a plurality of recording element arrays, divides a plurality of recording elements constituting each of the plurality of recording element arrays into a plurality of blocks, and performs time-division driving for each block to perform recording. So,
A storage circuit for storing a value based said printing element array in the shift amount of the recording resolution following values in the scanning direction you scan on a recording medium,
A change circuit that changes a drive block order according to the value stored in the storage circuit;
Using the recording data on a plurality of recording rows delayed to correspond to the drive block sequence that has been changed by said changing circuit, by driving the recording elements in the drive block order, with other printing element array A recording circuit for performing recording by performing registration between the recording heads. The printhead is provided with a plurality of print element arrays at intervals in the scanning direction, and the change circuit is a circuit that changes a drive block order of at least one of the plurality of print element arrays. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The recording head according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of recording element arrays include first and second recording element arrays. 4. The printhead according to claim 3, wherein the block division is performed by dividing a plurality of print elements constituting each of the first and second print element arrays into N blocks in order. 4. The recording head according to claim 3, wherein the block division is performed by dividing a plurality of recording elements constituting each of the first and second recording element arrays into M blocks and K blocks each. . 2. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the block division includes four divisions, eight divisions, sixteen divisions, or thirty-two divisions. 4. The printhead according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement of the print elements constituting each of the first and second print element arrays is oblique in the scanning direction. 4. The printhead according to claim 1, further comprising a delay circuit for delaying output of print data to print elements forming the print element sequence according to the change of the drive block order by the change circuit. The recording head according to claim 1, wherein the recording head is an inkjet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink. The recording head according to claim 9, wherein the inkjet recording head includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink in order to eject the ink using thermal energy. . Further comprising a third and a fourth array of recording elements arranged alongside the first and second array of recording elements;
4. The color printing according to claim 3, wherein yellow, magenta, cyan, and black inks are ejected from each of the first, second, third, and fourth printing element arrays. Recording head. 11. The printhead according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and second print element arrays is configured as a single printhead. A recording apparatus that performs recording using the recording head according to claim 1,
Scanning means for reciprocally scanning in a direction in which the plurality of printing element rows are mounted with the printing head,
An output unit that outputs print data to the printhead. A recording apparatus that divides a plurality of recording elements constituting each recording element row of a recording head having a plurality of recording element rows into a plurality of blocks, and performs time-division driving for each block to perform recording.
In the recording head, a storage unit that stores a value based on a shift amount of a value equal to or less than a recording resolution in a scanning direction in which the recording element array is scanned on a recording medium, and according to the value stored in the storage unit. , and a changing means for changing the drive block order,
Using the recording data on a plurality of recording rows delayed to correspond to the drive block sequence that has been changed by said changing means, by driving the recording elements in the drive block order, with other printing element array A recording apparatus comprising recording means for performing recording by performing registration between the recording apparatuses. 15. The recording head according to claim 14, further comprising a delay circuit for delaying output of print data to a print element of each block constituting the print element sequence according to a change in the drive block order by the change circuit. The recording device according to claim 1.

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