KR100894373B1 - Printhead module - Google Patents

Abstract

Consisting of at least first and second rows of print nozzles extending along at least a portion of the ground width to be printed, each nozzle comprising a drive circuit and a logic circuit, wherein in plan view the drive circuit and the logic circuit are generally of the nozzle. Located at opposite ends and orienting the nozzles, each position of the drive circuit and logic circuit of each nozzle in the first row is face symmetrical with respect to each position of the drive circuit and logic circuit of the nozzle corresponding to the second column. It relates to a printhead module that is mirrored or rotated.

Printheads, nozzles, CMOS, MEMs,

Description

Printhead module {PRINTHEAD MODULE}

The present invention relates to the field of printheads.

The present invention has been developed primarily for use in Applicants' inkjet printheads consisting of a plurality of printheads extending throughout the width of the paper, which will be referred to in describing this application. However, it should be understood that the present invention can be applied to other printhead arrangements having multiple rows of print nozzles.

Various methods, systems, and apparatus related to the present invention are disclosed in the US registered patents or concurrent US applications filed by the applicant or the assignee of the present application described below. All of these US patents and concurrent US applications are incorporated herein by reference.

09 / 517,539 09 / 112,763 09 / 112,762 09 / 112,737 09 / 112,761 09 / 113,223 09 / 517,384 09 / 505,951 09 / 516,869 09 / 517,608 09 / 505,147 09 / 505,952 09 / 517,380 09 / 516,874 09 / 517,541 10 / 203,540 10 / 636,263 10 / 203,564 10 / 636,283 AUTH22US AUTH23US AUTH24US 10 / 407,212 10 / 407,207 10 / 683,064 10 / 683,041 JUM005US JUM006US 10 / 727,181 10 / 727,162 10 / 727,163 10 / 727,245 10 / 727,204 10 / 727,233 10727,280 727,178 10 / 727,210 10 / 727,257 10 / 727,238 10 / 727,251 10 / 727,159 10 / 727,180 10 / 727,179 10 / 727,192 10 / 727,274 10 / 727,164 10 / 727,161 10 / 727,198 10 / 727,158 10 / 754,536 10 / 754,938 10 / 727,227 10 / 727,160 09 / 575,108 PEC011 United States 09 / 575,109 09 / 575,110 09 / 607,985 09 / 607,990 09 / 607,196 09 / 606,999 10 / 173,739 10 / 189,459 10 / 854,521 10 / 854,522 10 / 854,488 10 / 854,487 PLT005US 10 / 854,504 PLT007US PLT008US PLT010US 10 / 854,495 PLT012US PLT013US PLT014US 10 / 854,525 10 / 854,526 PLT017US PLT018US PLT019US PLT020US 10 / 854,506 10 / 854,505 PLT023US 10 / 854,494 10 / 854,489 10 / 854,490 PLT027US 10 / 854,491 10 / 854,528 1854 10 / 854,527 10 / 854,524 10 / 854,520 PLT034US PLT035US PLT036US PLT037US 10 / 854,501 PLT039US PLT040US 10 / 854,518 10 / 854,517

Some patent applications have been temporarily classified as Docket Numbers. This will be replaced by the application number when the corresponding application number is validly assigned.

Many problems arise in manufacturing printheads having relatively high resolutions and print speeds.

One of them relates to the driving force to the nozzle and the supply of the control signal. One way to do this is to have a CMOS layer on the same substrate when the print nozzle is assembled. This aggregation can save space and make the connection path between the drive circuit and the nozzle actuator relatively short.

In an alternative arrangement, as the Applicant noted in many cross-reference applications, each color of the printhead contains one odd column and one even column, which is offset by half of the horizontal nozzle pitch throughout the pagewidth. (Offset). Each nozzle and the drive circuit of the nozzles are arranged on a line in a plane parallel to the print medium conveying direction along the print head. And, all nozzles and circuit pairs of frithead are directed in the same direction. If the nozzles and associated drive circuits are to be positioned side by side in a single row, dots can be printed closer to each other across the page than ever possible by utilizing even-numbered offsets at half the horizontal nozzle pitch. have. It is necessary to delay the dot data from going to the proper column so that the data is printed on the page with two rows of data exactly aligned to the end.

So-called relative differences in the space requirements of CMOS and nozzles mean that there is still some unused area in the printhead. In addition, where a high voltage circuit is placed near a low voltage circuit from another column, careful design and spacing is required to avoid interference between the two circuits in the design.

It is desirable to improve space utilization in printhead circuits having multiple rows of print nozzles or to provide a useful alternative to at least prior art arrangements.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a printhead module having at least first and second rows of print nozzles extending along at least a portion of the page width to be printed, wherein each nozzle comprises drive circuitry and logic. Including a logic circuitry, and in plan view, the drive and logic circuits are generally located at opposite ends of the nozzles, positioning the nozzles, each position of the drive and logic circuits of each nozzle in the first row. Are mirrored or rotated with respect to each position of the drive circuit and logic circuit of the nozzle corresponding thereto in the second column.

Preferably, the position of the drive circuit of each nozzle in the first row is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the position of the drive circuit of the nozzle corresponding to that in the second row, and the position of the logic circuit of each nozzle in the first row The position is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the position of the logic circuit of the nozzle corresponding thereto in the second column.

Preferably, the drive circuit and logic circuit of each nozzle are located on a line perpendicular to the ground width.

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Preferably, each of the at least majority nozzles in the first row is paired with corresponding nozzles in the second row.

Advantageously, said printhead module comprises a plurality of first columns and second columns, each of which is paired with one of the second columns.

Advantageously, said first and second columns are arranged to print the same color.

Preferably, the first and second rows are arranged to print the same ink.

Advantageously, said first and second rows are connected to said same ink supply.

Advantageously, said printhead further comprises a plurality of first columns and second columns, each of said first columns pairing with one of said second columns, wherein said first columns and second columns in each pair. The rows are each arranged to print the same ink.

Preferably, in each pair the first and second rows are connected to the same ink supply.

Advantageously, said first and second columns are arranged to share at least one power supply node.

Preferably, the power supply node is a ground portion.

Preferably, the ground portion is set to conduct current at the time that only one of the first and second rows conducts current to the ground portion.

Preferably, the power supply node is a current supply path.

Preferably, the current supply path is set such that only one of the first and second columns conducts the current by flowing current through the current supply path at any one time.

Preferably, the first columns and the second columns are arranged to share at least one global signal.

Preferably, the global signal is a fire signal.

Preferably, the global signal is a clock signal.

In another aspect the present invention provides a printhead module comprising at least first and second rows of print nozzles extending along at least a portion of the page width to be printed, each nozzle comprising a drive circuit and a logic circuit; In plan view, the drive circuit and the logic circuit are generally located at opposite ends of the nozzle, and orient the nozzles, wherein the drive circuit of the nozzles in the first row is more than the logic circuit of the nozzles in the second row. Closer to the drive circuit of the two rows of nozzles.

Preferably, the position of the drive circuit of each nozzle in the first row is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the position of the drive circuit of the nozzle corresponding to that in the second row, and the position of the logic circuit of each nozzle in the first row The position is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the position of the logic circuit of the nozzle corresponding thereto in the second column.

Preferably, the drive circuit and logic circuit of each nozzle are located on a line perpendicular to the ground width.

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Preferably, each of the at least a plurality of nozzles in the first row is paired with corresponding nozzles in the second row.

Advantageously, said printhead module comprises a plurality of first columns and second columns, each of said first columns being paired with one of said second columns.

Advantageously, said first and second columns are arranged to print the same color.

Preferably, the first and second rows are arranged to print the same ink.

Preferably, the first rows and the second rows are connected to the same ink supply portion.

Preferably, the printhead according to claim 10 comprises a plurality of first columns and second columns, each of the first columns paired with one of the second columns, in each pair of first columns and first columns. The two rows are arranged to print the same ink with each other.

Preferably, the first and second columns of each pair are connected to the same ink supply portion.

Preferably, the first columns and the second columns are arranged to share at least one power supply node.

Preferably, the power supply node is earth.

Preferably, the ground portion is set to conduct current on the basis that only one of the first and second rows conducts the current to the ground portion at any point in time.

Preferably, the power supply node is a current supply path.

Preferably, the current supply path is set so that only one of the first columns and the second columns conducts the current by flowing the current through the current supply path at any one point in time.

Advantageously, said first and second columns are arranged to share at least one global signal.

Preferably, the global signal is an ignition signal.

Preferably, the global signal is a visual signal.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 shows a schematic of three separate layers forming one unit cell (ie, one nozzle) of a printhead;

FIG. 2 shows a vertical elevation of the three layers of FIG. 1 in a functional mutual position;

3 illustrates a conventional arrangement of a plurality of rows and columns of the unit cells of FIGS. 1 and 2; And

4 illustrates an arrangement of a plurality of rows and columns of the unit cells of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows three layers (2) (4) 6 together forming one unit cell 1 (ie nozzle) for a Memjet ™ MEMS printhead. Figure 1 shows three separate layers on a plane, as shown in the side elevation view in Figure 2, the unit cell will be understood, in use, it is produced by stacking the layers on top of each other. It will also be understood that each of the layers 2, 4, 6 consists of sublayers and subcomponents in more detail, and such details are omitted, as will be apparent.

The bottom layer 2 comprises an active CMOS circuit and is divided into two main regions. The first area comprises a low voltage CMOS logic circuit 8 in which the cell 1 controls which of the two and when to eject the ink. The second region includes a high voltage CMOS comprised of one large drive transistor that provides electrical current to an actuator that ejects ink when activated by control logic (see FIG. 2).

The intermediate layer 4 consists of CMOS metal layer structures that provide a means for contacting the MEMs 6. The driving transistor 10 is connected to the driving contact region 12. The ground contact region 14 provides a return path for current and is physically overlying the control logic region 8.

The upper layer 6 is a MEMs layer comprising a MEMs actuator 17. The actuator 17 is connected to the drive transistor 10 through the contact region 12 at one end 16 and to the ground contact region 14 at the other end 18. Connections across the various layers are well illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, as can be seen from Fig. 1, the ink hole 20 extends through the first and second layers 2 and 4 to supply ink to the third layer 6 for ejection by the actuator.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the unit cell (ie, nozzles) is arranged in columns and rows to form a complete prior art printhead, various constraints apply to bring the cells closer. For clarity, only the CMOS active layer is shown, but the position and orientation of the other layers will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the nozzle arrangement shown in FIG.

The control logic circuits 8 of the nozzles 1 in horizontally adjacent rows are generally immediately adjacent, and also global control signals are sent through this area so that these signals are sent to each cell. Similarly, ground contact regions (not shown) of horizontally adjacent cells form a continuous metal piece.

The vertical spacing of the rows is determined by the spacing limit applied to each layer. In the CMOS active layer, the fine spacing is between the high voltage region of one cell and the low voltage region of that cell in its adjacent column. In the CMOS contact layer, the fine spacing is between the drive contact of one cell and the ground contact of that cell in its adjacent row. In the MEMs layer, the fine spacing is between the drive terminal of one actuator and the ground contact of the driver in adjacent rows.

Figure 4 shows a preferred embodiment of arranging cells in a plurality of columns in an arrangement, which is reversed or opposed every second column. Reference numerals used in this figure correspond to the features described above for these numbers.

In the opposite arrangement of Fig. 4, the relationship between the high voltage region and the low voltage region can make the pitch of the entire row in the vertical direction smaller for the component size of a given unit cell. In the CMOS active layer shown, the pairs of columns are adjacent to the control logic region 8. This allows a global signal to be sent through the array once per row pair, rather than once in each row. In addition, each high voltage region is directly adjacent to the other high voltage region, and the number of high voltages in the array is halved by the low voltage separation.

In a CMOS contact layer (not shown, see FIG. 1), pairs of columns may share a common ground contact area. In the preferred embodiment, the cells in adjacent rows never eject at the same time, so the shared ground contact is only needed to be large enough to carry current for one single row. Similarly, the ground terminal of the actuator can be shared on the MEMs layer (see FIG. 1), thus reducing the size requirement. Although not shown in this embodiment, current can be supplied to the drive circuit via a supply current path shared by adjacent columns.

It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiments described above have shown that the rows of nozzles are alternately rotated by 180 degrees each, which can also be the respective opposite image. Moreover, the rotation or opposition need not include a full 180 degree rotation offset. Many advantages of the present invention are that relative rotation can be achieved with less angle. Of course, although the preferred embodiment shows that the devices are identical in plane, it will be appreciated that the devices in the columns need not be identical. It will only be necessary if the requirements of at least some circuitry of the nozzles in the adjacent rows are asymmetric and can be used to improve space and / or design by inverting, opposing or counterclockwise rotation of the nozzle placement in adjacent rows. .

In general, the present invention provides a smaller array size than conventional arrangements without affecting the CMOS and MEMs component sizes.

Claims (42)

Consisting of first and second rows of print nozzles extending along at least a portion of the page width to be printed, each nozzle including drive circuitry and logic circuitry, wherein the drive circuit and Logic circuits are located at opposite ends of the respective nozzles, and the directions of the nozzles are defined, wherein each position of the drive circuit and the logic circuit of each nozzle in the first row is the drive circuit of the corresponding nozzles in the second row. And a point symmetrical (rotated) for each position of the furnace and logic circuit. The method of claim 1, The position of the driving circuit of each nozzle in the first row is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the position of the driving circuit of the nozzle corresponding to the second column, and the position of the logic circuit of each nozzle in the first row is A printhead module, characterized in that it is rotated 180 degrees with respect to the position of the logic circuit of the nozzle corresponding to the second column. The method of claim 1, And the drive circuit and the logic circuit of each nozzle are located on a horizontal line with respect to the ground width. delete delete The method of claim 1, Wherein each of the nozzles in the first row is paired with one corresponding nozzle in the second row. delete The method of claim 1, And the first column and the second column are arranged to print the same color. The method of claim 8, And the first and second rows are arranged to print the same ink. The method of claim 9, And the first column and the second column are coupled to the same ink supply unit. delete delete The method of claim 1, And the first and second columns are arranged to share at least one power supply node. The method of claim 13, The power supply node is a printhead module, characterized in that the ground. delete The method of claim 13, The power supply node is a printhead module, characterized in that the current supply path. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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