JPH07242004A - Print head, manufacturing apparatus and manufacture thereof and print device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a print head easy to manufacture, high in yield and excellent in the printing quality by a method wherein correction data, by which variation of characteristics of a plurality of print elements driven in accordance with the print data is corrected, is stored in a memory. CONSTITUTION:A signal line 1711 monitors a heating resistor monitor, a temperature sensor and the like on each board and transmits correction data from a memory which stores the correction data of variation of individual heater boards provided in a record head IJH. An MPU 1701 transmits a control signal to the record head IJH via a signal line 1712 so that uniform pixels are formed with respect to each board based on the correction data from the memory in the record head IJH and a carrier motor conveys the record head IJH. Thereby, it is possible to uniformize the printing quality.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print head, preferably a long (full line) print head having a plurality of recording elements corresponding to a recording width, a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof, and a printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing device such as a printer, a copying machine or a facsimile is constructed so as to record an image consisting of a dot pattern on a print medium such as paper, a thin plastic plate or cloth based on image information. There is.

Among the above printing apparatuses, a print head of an ink jet type, a thermal type, an LED type or the like, which is formed by arranging a plurality of printing elements corresponding to dots on a substrate, is attracting attention as a low cost printing apparatus. There is.

The print head in which these print elements are arranged in correspondence with the print width can form the print elements in the same process as the semiconductor manufacturing process. Therefore, from the form in which the driving integrated circuit has been separately provided until now, However, the drive circuit is changing to a structure in which a drive circuit is structurally built in the same substrate on which print elements are arranged.

As a result, it becomes possible to prevent the driving of the print head from becoming complicated, and the size and cost of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

Among them, the ink jet printing method is a method in which thermal energy is applied to the ink and the ink is ejected by utilizing the pressure due to thermal expansion. The ink jet printing method has a good response to a recording signal and a high density of ejection ports. Since it has advantages such as ease of use, it is highly expected to be compared with other printing methods.

[0007]

However, when the print head is manufactured by the method of manufacturing a semiconductor as described above, particularly when a large number of print elements are arranged over the entire substrate so as to correspond to the recording width, all printing is performed. It was very difficult to manufacture the device without defects. for that reason,
The yield of the print head was poor, and the cost was increased accordingly, and there were cases where it was difficult to reach practical use.

For this reason, JP-A-55-132253,
JP-A-2-2009, JP-A-4-229278, JP-A-4-232749, JP-A-5-24192, U
In SP5,016,023, etc., a relatively high number of print elements, that is, 32 or 48 or 64 or 128 print elements are arranged on a single substrate (or top and bottom). To
It proposes a method for obtaining a long print head corresponding to a required print width by arranging a large number of print elements with high accuracy according to the array density of print elements.

Based on this technique, recently, a relatively small number of print elements, such as 64 and 128, are arranged on a substrate, and the substrate (called a print element) corresponds to a required print width. It has become possible to easily manufacture a full-line printhead by accurately lining up and adhering on a base plate.

However, although the full-line print head can be easily manufactured in this way, the print head manufactured by the above manufacturing method still has the following performance problems. Has been done. For example, variations in performance between printed elements (boards) arranged,
There is a problem that print quality deterioration such as density unevenness is unavoidable due to variations in the performance of print elements arranged between the arranged print elements and the heat storage of each drive block during printing. is there.

Particularly in the case of an ink jet print head, not only variations in the print elements arranged between the arranged print elements but also in the vicinity of the print elements, but also problems such as deterioration of ink flow performance due to a gap between the print elements are caused in the final step of the head. It was a cause of poor yield. Therefore, even though the performance of this type of print head is sufficiently high, it is the current situation that it is prevented from entering the market in large quantities.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a printhead which is easy to manufacture, has a high yield, and does not deteriorate the printing quality. Is to provide.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus which can use the above print head.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the above print head.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method for manufacturing the above print head.

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems and to achieve the object, a print head of the present invention is mounted on a printing apparatus and driven to print an image on a print medium. A plurality of print elements for forming pixels on a print medium, and driving means for driving the plurality of print elements based on print data sent from the printing device,
And a storage unit for storing correction data for correcting variations in the characteristics of the plurality of print elements.

Further, in the print head according to the present invention, the operation of the drive means is controlled based on the correction data stored in the storage means so that each of the plurality of print elements forms uniform pixels. It is characterized by further comprising a control means for controlling.

Further, in the print head according to the present invention, the correction data stored in the storage means is transmitted to the printing device, and the correction data is set based on the correction data transmitted from the printing device. And a receiving means for receiving the generated control signal.

Further, the print head according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising monitor means for monitoring the variation in the characteristics of each of the plurality of print elements.

Further, the print head according to the present invention is characterized in that the print head is an ink jet recording head for recording by ejecting ink.

Further, in the printhead according to the present invention, the printhead is a printhead which ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy to be given to the ink. It is characterized by

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus.
A printing device using the print head according to claim 1, wherein the print data is received from the print head by receiving means, and based on the correction data, each of the print elements forms uniform pixels. Control means for generating a control signal for controlling the operation of the driving means,
And a transmission unit that transmits the control signal to the print head.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the print head is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink for recording.

Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the print head is a print head for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with a heat energy converter for generating heat energy given to the ink. It is characterized by

A printhead manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the printhead according to claim 1, wherein the printhead is mounted and test printing is performed on a print medium. Head driving means,
A detection unit that detects a variation of the pixels printed on the print medium for each print element; a correction data generation unit that generates correction data for correcting the variation of each print element detected by the detection unit; And a transmission unit that transmits the correction data to the storage unit in the print head.

Further, in the printhead manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means includes a television camera for photographing the printed pixels, and an image processing device for image-processing an image signal from the television camera. It is characterized by that.

Further, in the print head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the head driving means performs printing until the print head is in a steady state, and the detecting means is after the print head is in a steady state. It is characterized by detecting variations in printed pixels.

Further, in the printhead manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the printhead is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink to perform recording.

Further, in the print head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the print head is a print head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and heat energy conversion for generating thermal energy given to the ink. It is characterized by having a body.

The printhead manufacturing apparatus of the present invention is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the printhead according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic variation of each of the plurality of print elements from the monitor means is uneven. And a first correction data generation means for generating first correction data for correcting the variation, and a print medium while controlling the print head based on the first correction data. Head driving means for performing printing on a trial basis, detection means for detecting variations in the pixels printed on the print medium for each print element, and for correcting the variations for each print element detected by the detection means Based on the second correction data generating means for generating the second correction data, and the first correction data and the second correction data, the final correction And third correction data generating means for generating data, the final correction data, is characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting to said storage means in the print head.

Further, in the printhead manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the detecting means includes a television camera for photographing the printed pixels, and an image processing device for image-processing an image signal from the television camera. It is characterized by that.

Further, in the print head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the head driving means prints until the print head is in a steady state, and the detecting means is after the print head is in a steady state. It is characterized by detecting variations in printed pixels.

In the printhead manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the printhead is an ink jet recording head for ejecting ink for recording.

Further, in the print head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the print head is a print head for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and heat energy conversion for generating heat energy given to the ink. It is characterized by having a body.

A method for manufacturing a print head according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a print head according to claim 1, wherein the print head is mounted and printing is performed on a print medium on a trial basis. A first step, a second step of detecting a variation of pixels printed on the print medium for each print element, and a correction for correcting the variation of each print element detected in the second step It is characterized by including a third step of generating data and a fourth step of storing the correction data in the storage means in the print head.

In the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, in the first step, printing is performed until the print head reaches a steady state, and the second step is performed.
In the step (1), the variation of the printed pixels is detected after the print head is in the steady state.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, the print head is an ink jet recording head for recording by ejecting ink.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, the print head is a print head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and thermal energy conversion for generating thermal energy given to the ink. It is characterized by having a body.

A method for manufacturing a print head according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing a print head according to claim 4, wherein the characteristic of each of the plurality of print elements from the monitor means varies. And a first step of generating first correction data for correcting the variation, and on the basis of the first correction data, the print head is controlled on a print medium while controlling the print head. A second step of printing, a third step of detecting a variation of the pixels printed on the print medium for each print element, and a correction of the variation for each print element detected in the third step. And a fourth step of generating final correction data based on the first correction data and the second correction data. If the final correction data, is characterized by comprising a sixth step of storing in the storage means in the print head.

In the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, in the second step, printing is performed until the print head reaches a steady state, and then the third step is performed.
In the step (1), the variation of the printed pixels is detected after the print head is in the steady state.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, the print head is an ink jet recording head for recording by ejecting ink.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a print head according to the present invention, the print head is a print head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy, and thermal energy conversion for generating thermal energy given to the ink. It is characterized by having a body.

[0043]

Since the print head according to the present invention is configured as described above, a plurality of print elements are arranged side by side to form a full-line long head, which facilitates manufacture.
A print head having a high yield is provided. Moreover, since the storage means for storing the data for correcting the variation in the characteristics of the plurality of print elements is provided, the storage means is used for correction to the control device provided inside the printing apparatus or inside the print head itself. By sending the data, and based on this, the control device controls the driving means of the print elements so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels, so that the print quality becomes constant and the print quality deteriorates. Can be prevented.

Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention is
The printing operation using the above printhead is provided because the control means for receiving the data for correcting the variation of the print element from the storage means in the printhead and controlling the driving means for the print element based on the correction data is provided. In the above, it is possible to make the print quality constant and prevent the print quality from deteriorating.

Further, the print head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention mounts the print head, prints on a trial basis, detects the pixel variation for each print element generated at this time, and corrects the data. The correction data can be stored in the storage means in the print head. Therefore, the print head can have the correction data of the variation of the print element of its own in the storage means of its own as the data. Therefore, this correction data can be given to the control means in the print head or the control means in the printing apparatus, and the driving means can be controlled so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels, so that the actual printing is performed. It is possible to manufacture the print head capable of making the print quality constant while being mounted on the apparatus.

Further, in the method of manufacturing the print head of the present invention, the print head is mounted and printing is carried out on a trial basis, and the pixel variation for each print element generated at this time is detected and data for correcting the data is detected. Since the step of generating is provided, this correction data can be stored in the storage means in the print head. Therefore, the print head can have the correction data of the variation of the print element of its own in the storage means of its own as the data. Therefore, this correction data is supplied to the control means in the print head or the control means in the printing apparatus so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels.
Since the drive means can be controlled, it is possible to manufacture a print head capable of making the print quality constant when actually mounted in the printing apparatus.

[0047]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, an example of the configuration of the printer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA to which the present invention can be applied. In the figure, the carriage HC that engages with the spiral groove 5004 of the lead screw 5005 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with the forward / reverse rotation of the drive motor 5013 has pins (not shown). Then, it is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An inkjet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. A paper pressing plate 5002 presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the moving direction of the carriage HC. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which are home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 5006 in this area and switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013. 5
Reference numeral 016 is a member that supports a cap member 5022 that caps the front surface of the recording head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 is a suction unit that sucks the inside of the cap, which is an opening 5023 in the cap.
The suction recovery of the recording head IJH is performed via the. 5017
Is a cleaning blade, and 5019 is a member for moving this blade in the front-back direction.
These are supported by 18. Needless to say, a well-known cleaning blade can be applied to this example instead of this form. Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves in accordance with the movement of the cam 5020 that engages with the carriage, and the movement of the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. To be done.

The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that the desired processing can be performed at their corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage HC reaches the area on the home position side. Any desired operation can be applied to the present example if the desired operation is performed at the timing.

Next, a control configuration for executing the recording control of the above-mentioned apparatus will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. In the figure showing the control circuit, 1700
Is an interface for inputting a recording signal, and 1701 is M
PU, 1702 is a program ROM that stores a control program executed by the MPU 1701, and 1703 is various data (the above-mentioned recording signals, recording data supplied to the head, etc.).
It is a dynamic RAM that stores the data. 170
Reference numeral 4 denotes a gate array for controlling the supply of print data to the print head IJH, which includes an interface 1700,
It also controls data transfer between the MPU 1701 and the RAM 1703. Reference numeral 5013 is a carrier motor for carrying the recording head IJH, and 1709 is a carrying motor for carrying the recording paper. 1706 and 1707 are transport motors 1 respectively
709, a motor driver for driving the carrier motor 5013. Reference numeral 1711 denotes a sensor of each board (for example, the heating element resistance monitor 314 and the temperature sensor 31 shown in FIG. 11).
5) and the like, and transmits the correction data from the memory 13 that stores the correction data of the variation of each substrate (heater board 1000 described later) provided in the print head IJH. Reference numeral 1712 is a signal line including a preheat pulse, a latch signal, a heat pulse signal, and the like. The MPU 1701 sends a control signal to the printhead IJH via the signal line 1712 so that each substrate can form uniform pixels based on the correction data from the memory 13 in the printhead IJH.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of a recording head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 is a host of the printhead manufacturing apparatus, which is a CPU unit that manages all control units. 2 is I / of all control units
The O interface 3 is an image processing unit. The image processing unit 3 is a paper feed stage 5 read by the CCD camera 4.
The dot diameter and density unevenness are converted into pixel values from the print dot pattern on the above recording medium. When the image processing device 3 transmits the dot data corresponding to all the recording elements of the recording head IJH to the CPU 1, the CPU 1 calculates this and
The density correction data is sent to the drive signal control unit 7 in accordance with the drive signal of the recording head 12, and the memory control unit 8 develops the density correction data.

The image data control unit 6 sends a dot pattern to be printed by the recording head 12, and sends a synchronization signal to the drive signal control unit 7 not only during normal printing but also when the density correction data is determined. While sending, the density correction drive signal is sent. The CPU 1 also manages a voltage control unit 9 that controls the drive voltage of the recording head IJH and a stage / paper feed control unit 11 that controls the operation of the paper feed stage 5.
It controls the setting of appropriate drive voltage, the movement of the stage of the device, and the feeding of paper for printing. Further, the head data detection unit 10 is provided for each substrate (print element) in the recording head IJH.
This is an important part of feeding back 1000 (see FIG. 6) characteristics to the density correction.

For example, in the print head IJH constructed by arranging a plurality of substrates 1000 on which 64 or 128 printing elements are arranged, it is not known from which part of the silicon wafer each substrate 1000 is cut out. . Therefore, there may be a case where each substrate exhibits different characteristics.

Even in such a case, the rank detecting element RH having the same sheet resistance value as the recording element is arranged inside the substrate 1000 so that the entire recording head can print with the same density. In addition to this, a semiconductor element or the like that can monitor the temperature change for each substrate 1000 may be provided, and the head data detecting unit 10 monitors these elements. When the head data detector 10 sends the data obtained by monitoring these elements to the CPU 1,
The CPU 1 generates correction data for correcting the data for driving each substrate 1000 so that each substrate 1000 of the recording head unit can print with uniform density.

When the above-mentioned correction data is reflected in each control unit of the manufacturing apparatus, the printing operation by the recording head IJH is executed in that state. The recording head manufacturing apparatus re-images this print by the CCD camera 4 and the image processing unit 3,
At the stage when the predetermined recording head standard is satisfied, the final correction data is sent from the memory controller 8 to the memory 13 (E ² P
ROM, etc.).

FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view showing the construction of the recording head manufacturing apparatus and a flow chart showing the operation.

The recording head IJH is placed on the fixed base 50, and C
The PU 1 operates the fixed base 50 so that the recording head unit IJH can print at a normal position, and then the recording head unit IJH is operated.
The H is fixed on the fixing base 50. At the same time the recording head IJH
The ink supply device 52 is connected to the recording head IJH (step S).
2). Next, in order to measure the rank of the recording head IJH, the sheet resistance value of the substrate 1000 is monitored (step S4). In the case of a long (full line) recording head unit, the sheet resistance value of each block (or each substrate when multiple substrates are arranged) is monitored, the drive power is determined individually, and the test pattern is printed. Is performed (step S6). As a pre-process for printing the test pattern, preliminary printing (aging) is performed until the operation of the recording head IJH becomes stable so that the recording head IJH can perform stable printing. Aging is performed on the aging trays provided side by side in the head recovery processing unit 54, and recovery processing is performed so that normal printing is performed as a test pattern (ink suction, orifice surface cleaning, etc.). When the test pattern is printed, the printing is performed by the CCD camera 4 and the image processing unit 3.
Is moved to the position, image processing is performed by these, and it is compared with the parameters of print evaluation. In the density variation of the recording element, which is a parameter that can be particularly improved, arithmetic processing is performed on the following items. (When the number of recording elements is n) The average dot area (dot diameter) of one element before and after each recording element (three elements in total) is calculated.

Particularly, for the first element and the nth element, the following average is taken.

In the case of the 1st element → nth, 1st, 2
Average dot area of the th element (dot diameter) In the case of the nth element → (n-1) th, the average dot area of the nth and the first element (dot diameter) The average dot area of each recording element Then, the following two values are obtained.

Density unevenness f (1) = MAX of average dot area of each element-MIN of average dot area of each element Density unevenness f (2) = MAX of average dot area change of consecutive elements These values are determined. Then, how to correct each element is determined. For example, when the driving power of each recording element of the recording head is determined by the pulse width, the driving pulse width data to be given to the driving integrated circuit of the recording head is selected. As will be described later, when the pulse width control circuit of the driving integrated circuit selects from several pulse widths, first,
MA of pulse width selected based on the value determined by
X and MIN are determined, and the pulse width between them is set with an allowable resolution. Then, by setting the pulse width so as to correct the recording density of each element according to the image processing data and making it correspond to each recording element, it is possible to make the recording density of the recording head unit uniform. The above process is repeated until it becomes OK, and when it becomes OK, the data is stored in the memory 13. This processing is step S8-
This is done in step S12.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the structure of the recording head according to the present invention. In this example, the case where the recording element is an ejection energy generating element used for ejecting ink (a pair of electrodes and a heating resistor provided between these electrodes in the bubble jet recording method) will be described. According to the method described below, it is possible to obtain a long (full line) recording head with a very high yield, which has hitherto been attempted to be made defect-free over the entire width by a technique such as photolithography. A plurality of ink discharge ports formed on the plurality of ink discharge ports, and an integrated top plate having a plurality of grooves communicating with each of these discharge ports and formed from one end to the other end. A long (full-line) inkjet recording head unit can be manufactured very easily by joining the substrates so as to cover them.

In this embodiment, the density of ink ejection ports is 360 dpi (70.5 μm), and the number of ink ejection ports is 30.
An ink jet recording head having 08 nozzles (printing width 212 mm) will be described.

In FIG. 6, a substrate (hereinafter referred to as a heater board) 1000 is provided with 128 discharge energy generating elements 1010 at predetermined positions at a density of 360 dpi. This is provided with a signal pad for driving the ejection energy generating element 1010 at an arbitrary timing by an electric signal from the outside, a power pad 1020 for supplying electric power for driving the same, and the like.

A plurality of heater boards 1000 are arranged and bonded and fixed on the surface of a base plate 3000 made of a material such as metal or ceramic with an adhesive.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the heater boards 1000 arranged side by side. The heater board 1000 is adhered and fixed to a predetermined place on the base plate 3000 with an adhesive 3010 applied with a predetermined thickness. At this time, the pitch between the discharge energy generating elements 101 located at the respective ends of the two adjacent heater boards is the same as the pitch P = 70.5 μm of the discharge energy generating elements 101 on the heater board 1000. , Heater board 1
000 is accurately bonded and fixed. Further, the gap between the heater boards 1000 generated at this time is sealed with a sealant 3020.

Returning to FIG. 6, a wiring board 4000 is adhered and fixed to the base plate 3000 like the heater board 1000. At this time, the wiring board 4000 is arranged in a state where the pad 1020 on the heater board 1000 and the signal power supply pad 4010 provided on the wiring board are close to each other.
Are bonded and fixed to the base plate 3000. The wiring board 4000 is provided with a connector 4020 for receiving a print signal and driving power from the outside.

Next, the top plate 2000 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the shape of the top plate 2000. FIG. 8 (a) is a front view of the top plate 2000 seen from the front, and FIG. 8 (b) is an upper view of FIG. 8 (a). Top view seen from
FIG. 8C is a bottom view of FIG. 8A viewed from below, and FIG.
8D is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

In FIG. 8, a top plate 2000 is a discharge energy generating element 1010 provided on the heater board 1000.
And the flow paths 2020 provided corresponding to
The orifices 203 provided corresponding to the above and communicating with each flow path 2020 for ejecting the ink toward the recording medium.
0, a liquid chamber 2010 communicating with each flow channel for supplying ink to each flow channel 2020, and an ink supplied from an ink tank (not shown) to the liquid chamber 2010. The ink supply port 2040 is generally configured. As a matter of course, the top plate 2000 is formed to have a length that substantially covers the ejection energy generating element array formed by arranging a plurality of heater boards 1000.

Returning to FIG. 6, the top plate 2000 has its channel 2
020 and the discharge energy generating elements 1010 on the heater board 1000 arranged on the base plate 3000 are accurately matched with each other in the heater board 10
00 together.

At this time, various methods such as a method of mechanically pressing with a spring or the like, a method of fixing with an adhesive, a method of combining them, and the like can be considered as a method of coupling.

By any one of these methods, the top plate 2000 and the heater board 1000 are fixed in a relationship as shown in FIG.

The top plate 2000 described above can be manufactured by a known method such as machining by cutting or the like, a molding method, a casting method, a method using photolinography and the like.

FIG. 10 shows a heater board 1 for the recording head.
2 is an example of a circuit configuration of a drive circuit provided on the 000. Here, 100 is a substrate, 101 is a preheat pulse selection logic block, 102 is a selection data storage latch for selecting a preheat pulse having the same circuit configuration as the latch 303 for temporarily storing image data, and 103 is a heat pulse. It is an OR circuit for synthesizing preheat pulses.

The driving sequence will be described. First, after the logic power supply 309 is turned on, the shift register 30 for serially inputting image data of the data of each nozzle that selects a preheat pulse in accordance with the ejection amount characteristic (ejection amount at constant temperature / pulse application) measured in advance.
4 is used to store in the selection data storage latch 102. Since the image data input shift register 304 is shared here, it is sufficient to increase the number of latches and to parallelize the output of the shift register 304 as shown in point a of FIG. Can be prevented from increasing. Also, by providing a large number of preheat pulses, the required number of bits for selection is determined by the shift register 304.
Even if the number of bits exceeds the number of bits, it is possible to easily cope with the situation by providing a plurality of latches 102 and a plurality of latch clock inputs 108 for determining holding, as indicated by 108a to 108n. Data storage for the above preheat pulse selection may be performed once when the inkjet recording apparatus is started,
Even if this function is incorporated, the image data transfer sequence can be performed in exactly the same manner as in the past.

Input of a heat signal will be described as a sequence after the retention of the ejection amount storage data for preheat pulse selection is completed. In this board, the heat input 106 and a plurality of preheat inputs 107a to 1 for changing the discharge amount are used.
It is characterized in that 07n is individually provided. First, the heat input 106 feeds back the heating element resistance monitor 314, and applies a heat signal having a pulse width of energy appropriate for ejecting ink from the inkjet recording apparatus side according to the value. Next, regarding the preheat input, each of the plurality of preheat signals changes the pulse width and timing in accordance with the value of the temperature sensor 315, and at the same time, the plurality of preheat pulses 107a to 107a- It is set to 107n and applied. By doing so, if the selection is made in correspondence with factors other than the temperature, that is, the ejection amount of each nozzle, the ejection amount can be made constant and unevenness and streaks can be eliminated. One of the plurality of preheat pulses thus input is selected in the preheat selection logic block 102 according to the previously stored selection data. Next, the OR signal 103 synthesizes the image data, the AND signal of the heat signal, and the selected preheat pulse, and the power transistor 302 is driven.

Here, a plurality of heater boards (= substrates) 10
This will be described with reference to FIG. 11, which is a block diagram of a multi-nozzle head configured by arranging a large number of 00s. Here, m substrates are arranged, the total number of nozzles is n, and the nozzle 1 of the substrate 1, the nozzle 100, and the nozzle 150 of the substrate 2 are focused and described. Nozzle 1 is the discharge rate when a constant temperature and pulse width are applied.
Is 36 pl, the nozzle 100 is 40 pl, and the nozzle 150 is 40 pl, the nozzles 100 and 15 are stored in the selection data storage latch.
For 0, the nozzle 1 is set with the selection data of a level at which the ejection amount is larger. Regarding the heat pulse, since the substrate 1 has a resistance of 200 Ω and the substrate 2 has a resistance of 210 Ω from the resistance sensor, the pulse width applied to the substrate 2 is longer than that of the substrate 1 so that the applied power is constant. Similarly, FIG. 12 shows a drive current waveform when driven under such conditions.
Here, it can be seen that the preheat pulse of the nozzle 1 having a small discharge amount is longer than that of the nozzles 100 and 150 (t1 <t2). The heat pulse is (t4> t3). Where t5 is the pulse width of the minimum power required to cause the ink to bubble and the droplet to fly, (t1, t2 <t5)
And (t3, t4> t5). The preheat pulse changes within the range of (t1 <t2) and (t1, t2 <t5) for the temperature change of the substrate during driving, and the actual driving discharge amount can be always 40pl for all nozzles. It is possible to realize high-quality printing without unevenness or streaks. At the same time, since the pulse width of the heat pulse with a large input power is adjusted according to the resistance value of the substrate to keep the power constant at a reasonable level, it is possible to extend the life.

In the above description, the case where the preheat pulse is selected in the substrate has been described, but even if it has a function of changing the width of the main pulse by using a counter or the like, the present invention can be used. The density can be corrected depending on the configuration.

Needless to say, the density correction can be performed according to the present invention as long as the substrate can control the driving power of each recording element. Further, even if the structure of the recording head is different, the same density correction can be performed.

Further, in the above description, the controller on the ink jet recording apparatus side controls the printing operation of the recording head based on the correction data stored in the memory in the recording head. Such a control device may be provided in the recording head.

Further, according to the present invention, the form of the recording head (for example, the difference between the serial type and the full line type),
Type (inkjet head, thermal head, LED
It can be applied regardless of the difference in print heads).

Needless to say, the same effect can be obtained even if there is a difference in the method of setting the drive power of each recording element of the recording head.

The present invention is provided with means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, especially in the ink jet recording system, and the thermal energy The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of ink has been described. According to such a method, the recording density is increased,
High definition can be achieved.

Regarding its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which the liquid crystal is held, which corresponds to the recorded information and gives a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling. Since heat energy is generated in the electrothermal converter to cause film boiling on the heat acting surface of the recording head, air bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal in a one-to-one correspondence can be formed. It is valid. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

As the pulse-shaped driving signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. If the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the rate of temperature rise on the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the straight liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned specifications, The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region. In addition, for multiple electrothermal converters,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of the electrothermal converter, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-63, which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is associated with the discharge portion. A configuration based on Japanese Patent No. 138461 may be used.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium which can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being attached to the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. . Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording. It is also effective to perform a stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which another discharge is performed.

Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode only for the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrally formed or a plurality of combinations may be used. Alternatively, the device may be provided with at least one of full-color mixed colors.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used, or In the inkjet method, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It is sufficient that the ink is liquid.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to the thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent the ink from evaporating, an ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink is retained as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

In addition, as a form of the recording apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the one provided integrally or separately as an image output terminal of information processing equipment such as a computer, a copying apparatus combined with a reader or the like, and further transmission / reception It may take the form of a facsimile machine having a function.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0096]

As described above, according to the print head of the present invention, by arranging a plurality of print elements into a long head of a full line, a print head which is easy to manufacture and has a high yield is provided. To be done. Moreover, since the storage means for storing the data for correcting the variation in the characteristics of the plurality of print elements is provided, the storage means is used for correction to the control device provided inside the printing apparatus or inside the print head itself. By sending data, and based on this, the control device controls the driving means of the print elements so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels, so that the print quality is made constant and the print quality is degraded. Can be prevented.

According to the printing apparatus of the present invention,
The printing operation using the above printhead is provided because the control means for receiving the data for correcting the variation of the print element from the storage means in the printhead and controlling the driving means for the print element based on the correction data is provided. In the above, it is possible to make the print quality constant and prevent the print quality from deteriorating.

Further, according to the print head manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the print head is mounted and printing is carried out on a trial basis. At this time, the variation of the pixels for each print element is detected and corrected. Since it is configured to generate data, this correction data can be stored in the storage means in the print head. Therefore, the print head can have the correction data of the variation of the print element of its own in the storage means of its own as the data. Therefore, this correction data can be given to the control means in the print head or the control means in the printing apparatus, and the driving means can be controlled so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels, so that the actual printing is performed. It is possible to manufacture the print head capable of making the print quality constant while being mounted on the apparatus.

Further, according to the method of manufacturing the print head of the present invention, the print head is mounted and printing is carried out on a trial basis. At this time, the variation of the pixels for each print element is detected and corrected. Since the step of generating data is provided, this correction data can be stored in the storage means in the print head. Therefore, the print head can have the correction data of the variation of the print element of its own in the storage means of its own as the data. Therefore, this correction data can be given to the control means in the print head or the control means in the printing apparatus, and the driving means can be controlled so that each of the print elements forms uniform pixels, so that the actual printing is performed. It is possible to manufacture the print head capable of making the print quality constant while being mounted on the apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an inkjet recording apparatus I to which the present invention can be applied.
It is a general view of JRA.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration for executing recording control of the inkjet recording apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording head manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a recording head manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the recording head manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the configuration of the recording head according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a state where heater boards are arranged.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a shape of a top plate.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fixed state of a top plate and a heater board.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration example of a drive circuit provided on a heater board for a print head.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a multi-nozzle head in which a plurality of heater boards are arranged side by side.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a drive current waveform of a recording element.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1000 substrate 1010 recording element 1020 pad 2000 top plate 2010 liquid chamber 2020 flow channel 2030 orifice 2040 ink supply port 2050 support member 2060 slit 3000 base plate 3010 adhesive 3020 sealant 4000 wiring board 4010 signal / power supply pad 4020 connector

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location B41J 3/04 104 F (72) Inventor Akira Goto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Kya Non-Corporation (72) Inventor Takayuki Ono 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Koizumi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Haruhiko Terai 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Toshio Kashino 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Invention Seiichiro Karita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Shuji Koyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koichi Omata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A printhead mounted on a printing device and driven to print an image on a print medium, the printhead comprising: a plurality of print elements for forming pixels on the print medium; Drive means for driving the plurality of print elements based on the print data to be stored, and storage means for storing correction data for correcting variations in characteristics of the plurality of print elements. And print head. 2. A control means for controlling the operation of the drive means so that each of the plurality of print elements forms uniform pixels based on the correction data stored in the storage means. The printhead according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A transmission unit that sends the correction data stored in the storage unit to the printing apparatus, and a reception unit that receives a control signal that is set from the printing apparatus and that is set based on the correction data. The printhead of claim 1, further comprising means. 4. The print head according to claim 1, further comprising monitor means for monitoring a variation in characteristics of each of the plurality of print elements. 5. The print head according to claim 1, wherein the print head is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 6. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 5. The print head according to item 5. 7. A printing apparatus using the print head according to claim 3, wherein each of the print elements is uniform based on the receiving means for receiving the correction data from the print head and the correction data. A printing apparatus comprising: a control unit that generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the driving unit so as to form various pixels, and a transmission unit that transmits the control signal to the print head. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the print head is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 9. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. Item 9. The printing device according to item 8. 10. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the print head according to claim 1, comprising head driving means for mounting the print head and performing test printing on a print medium, and printing on the print medium. Detecting means for detecting the variation of the printed pixels for each print element, correction data generating means for generating correction data for correcting the variation for each print element detected by the detecting means, and the correction data, An apparatus for manufacturing a print head, comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the data to the storage unit in the print head. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the detection means includes a television camera that captures the printed pixels, and an image processing device that performs image processing on an image signal from the television camera. Printhead manufacturing equipment. 12. The head driving means prints until the print head is in a steady state, and the detecting means detects variations in printed pixels after the print head is in a steady state. 11. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printhead manufacturing apparatus is a printhead manufacturing apparatus. 13. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printhead is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 14. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by using thermal energy,
14. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. 15. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the printhead according to claim 4, wherein the variation of the characteristics of each of the plurality of print elements is received from the monitor unit, and the variation is corrected. First correction data generating means for generating first correction data for carrying out printing, and head driving means for performing test printing on a print medium while controlling the print head based on the first correction data. Detecting means for detecting a variation of the pixels printed on the print medium for each print element, and second generation data for correcting the variation for each print element detected by the detecting means Correction data generating means, and third correction data generation means for generating final correction data based on the first correction data and the second correction data. Means and the final correction data, apparatus for manufacturing a print head, characterized by a transmitting means for transmitting to said storage means in the print head. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the detection unit includes a television camera that captures the printed pixels, and an image processing device that processes an image signal from the television camera. Printhead manufacturing equipment. 17. The head driving means prints until the print head is in a steady state, and the detecting means detects a variation in printed pixels after the print head is in a steady state. The apparatus for manufacturing a print head according to claim 15, wherein the manufacturing apparatus is a print head. 18. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the printhead is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 19. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by using thermal energy,
19. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. 20. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the print head according to claim 1, comprising a first step of mounting the print head and performing a test print on a print medium; A second step of detecting a variation of printed pixels for each print element; a third step of generating correction data for correcting the variation of each print element detected in the second step; A fourth step of storing the correction data in the storage means in the print head. 21. In the first step, printing is performed until the print head is in a steady state, and in the second step, variations in printed pixels are detected after the print head is in a steady state. 21. The printhead manufacturing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein: 22. The method of manufacturing a print head according to claim 20, wherein the print head is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 23. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy,
The method of manufacturing a print head according to claim 22, further comprising a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink. 24. A manufacturing method for manufacturing the print head according to claim 4, wherein the variation of the characteristics of each of the plurality of print elements is received from the monitor means, and the variation is corrected. A first step of generating first correction data for performing a test, and a second step of performing a test print on a print medium while controlling the print head based on the first correction data; A third step of detecting a variation of the pixels printed on the print medium for each print element, and a second correction data for correcting the variation of each print element detected in the third step. Fourth
And a fifth step of generating final correction data based on the first correction data and the second correction data, and storing the final correction data in the storage unit in the print head. And a sixth step for producing the printhead. 25. In the second step, printing is performed until the print head is in a steady state, and in the third step, variations in printed pixels are detected after the print head is in a steady state. The method of manufacturing a print head according to claim 24, wherein: 26. The method of manufacturing a print head according to claim 24, wherein the print head is an ink jet recording head that ejects ink to perform recording. 27. The print head is a print head that ejects ink by utilizing thermal energy,
27. The method of manufacturing a print head according to claim 26, further comprising a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy applied to the ink.