Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
  • B41J2/135—Nozzles
  • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
  • B41J2/14201—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements
  • B41J2/14233—Structure of print heads with piezoelectric elements of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
  • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
  • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
  • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
  • B41J2/17543—Cartridge presence detection or type identification
  • B41J2/17546—Cartridge presence detection or type identification electronically
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for
  • B41J29/38—Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
  • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
  • B41J2/01—Ink jet
  • B41J2/135—Nozzles
  • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
  • B41J2002/14459—Matrix arrangement of the pressure chambers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
  • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
  • B41J2202/17—Readable information on the head
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
  • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
  • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
  • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
  • B41J2202/20—Modules

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a recording head assembly, an image recording apparatus, and a recording head adjustment method. Particularly, the present invention relates to technology for adjusting a long recording head configured by combining a plurality of head modules.
• An inkjet recording apparatus for recording a desired image onto a recording medium by ejecting color inks from an inkjet head onto the recording medium is known as a general-purpose image recording apparatus.
• a general-purpose image recording apparatus In the single-pass image recording with a line head having a plurality of nozzles disposed over a length corresponding to the entire width of a recording medium, an image is formed on the entire surface of a recording medium by causing the recording medium and the inkjet head to move relative to each other once.
• image recording in a main scanning direction is performed by moving the head in the main scanning direction.
• the single-pass image recording therefore, can be realized at higher speeds than a serial image recording that performs image recording in a main scanning direction repeatedly while sending a predetermined length of a recording medium.
• each head module in order to optimize the recording operation of each head module in accordance with the output characteristics (recording characteristics) thereof, the recording operation of each head module is controlled in response to the previously stored information on each head module.
• PTL 1 discloses a recording apparatus which records recording characteristics data unique to a recording head in a memory in the recording head. Thereby, the recording apparatus in the PTL 1 can prevent recording characteristics data of a recording head other than a recording head being used, from being inadvertently applied to the recording head being used. Further, the recording apparatus in the PTL 1 can improve recording density spots.
• PTL 2 discloses a recording apparatus in which identification numbers for individually identifying recording heads are provided to the recording heads, and
• characteristics data for controlling a specific identification number is stored in a nonvolatile memory of a main body of the recording apparatus.
• the recording apparatus of PTL 2 can detect whether a recording head is installed or not.
• the specific identification number and a identification number of the installed recording head are displayed so as to be compared with each other, a scanning operation according to whether the two identification numbers are identical or not is performed, and the characteristics data is changed depending on a result of the operation.
• PTL 3 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus that is configured to inhibit rewriting of a memory in which ink information is stored, in accordance with a depth at which an ink tank is inserted.
• PTL 4 discloses a container and a management system.
• an IC chip in which identification information and information on the ink residual amount are stored is provided to a consumable part container such as a cartridge, and a coupling coil that enables communication with the IC chip is provided to the apparatus.
• the main body is configured to be able to recognize a normal consumable product by acquiring the identification information or information on the previous residual amount. Deterioration of the apparatus, degradation of the performance thereof, malfunction and the like caused by an abnormal product can be prevented by operating the main body apparatus by the recognition that the normal consumable product is placed.
• Patent Literature PTL 1 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-231245
• PTL 2 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-347225
• Some of those memories for storing head module information and the like are configured that the data stored therein can be stored or updated in the state that the memories are mounted and fixed onto an electric circuit board. Such memories enabling on-board writing can switch, using signals, between a state in which the data can be erased or written (updated) and a state in which erasure or writing of the data is inhibited.
• a concern about such memories is that the data can be erased or rewritten due to an incorrect operation caused by noise or the like.
• PTLs 1 to 4 discloses the problem where data stored in the memories can be accidentally erased or rewritten or describes a configuration for solving such a problem.
• the present invention was made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a recording head assembly, an image recording apparatus, and a recording head adjustment method, which, in a configuration having a line-type inkjet head equipped with a plurality of head modules, prevent information of each head module from being accidentally erased or rewritten.
• an aspect of a recording head assembly includes: a plurality of head modules; a head module information acquiring device configured to acquire head module information on each of the plurality of head modules; and a head module information storage device configured to store the acquired head module information on each of the head modules, wherein the head module information storage device includes: a storage element, in which the head module information is stored and information can be written in a state in which the storage element is mounted on an electrical wiring board, and which includes an input terminal to which is applied a voltage for switching between a write enable state of enabling writing of information and a write inhibit state of inhibiting writing of information; a first voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage for bringing the storage element into the write enable state; a fuse provided between the first voltage generator and the input terminal; a second voltage generator configured to generate a second voltage for bringing the storage element into the write inhibit state; a resistor provided between the second voltage generator and the input terminal; a switch element configured to select whether to apply, to the fuse, a current for
• the fuse is melted so that the storage device can be fixed to the write inhibit state in terms of hardware. Therefore, the information on each head module stored in the storage element can be prevented from being lost or rewritten.
• Figure 1 is an entire configuration diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet head illustrated in Figure 1.
• ⁇ Figure 3 ⁇ Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a nozzle arrangement in an inkjet head provided in an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment.
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a three-dimensional structure of the inkjet head illustrated in Figure 3.
• Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a connection between the inkjet head illustrated in Figure 3 and a drive voltage supply unit.
• Figure 6 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating a schematic
• Figure 7 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating another configuration example of the head module information storage unit illustrated in Figure 6.
• Figure 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.
• Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a head drive unit illustrated in Figure 8.
• Figure 10 ⁇ Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of storing information of a head module.
• Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of storing the information upon replacement of a head module.
• Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet head provided in an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment.
• Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a relationship in arrangement between the inkjet head illustrated in Figure 12 and a magnetic sensor.
• Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment.
• Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of storing sensor information.
• FIG. 1 is a general schematic drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus (an image recording apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• the inkjet recording apparatus 10 illustrated in this diagram adopts an impression cylinder conveyance system in which a recording medium 14 is held on an outer circumferential surface of an impression cylinder and conveyed.
• Inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y (recording heads) that eject inks to the recording medium 14 are disposed at an inclination with respect to a horizontal plane in such a manner that nozzle surfaces of the inkjet heads become orthogonal to a normal line of an outer circumferential surface of an impression cylinder (a rendering drum 44).
• the inkjet recording apparatus 10 illustrated in Figure 1 includes: a recording medium accommodating unit 20 configured to accommodate the recording medium 14 prior to image formation; a treatment liquid application unit 30 configured to apply a treatment liquid to the recording medium 14 sent from the recording medium accommodating unit 20; a rendering unit 40 configured to eject a color ink to the recording medium 14 applied with the treatment liquid, to form a desired color image; a drying process unit 50 configured to dry the recording medium 14 on which the color image has been formed; a fixing process unit 60 configured to perform a fixing process on the dried recording medium 14; and an output unit 70 configured to output the recording medium 14 obtained after the fixing process.
• a leading end portion of the recording medium 14 delivered to a transfer drum 32 via a paper supply tray 12 is gripped by grippers 80A, 80B of a treatment liquid drum 34.
• the recording medium 14 is supported by the treatment liquid drum 34 and conveyed along an outer circumferential surface of the treatment liquid drum 34 as the treatment liquid drum 34 rotates.
• the treatment liquid is applied to a surface of the recording medium 14 on which the image is formed.
• the treatment liquid applied by the treatment liquid application apparatus 36 functions to react with color inks ejected from the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y and aggregate or insolubilize colorants contained in the color inks.
• the recording medium 14 applied with the treatment liquid is delivered to the rendering drum 44 via a transfer drum 42, held on the outer circumferential surface of the rendering drum 44, and rotary conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the rendering drum 44.
• a paper pressing roller 46 is disposed immediately before the upstream side of a recording medium conveyance direction at the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y.
• the paper pressing roller 46 causes the recording medium 14 to adhere tightly to the outer
• the color inks are ejected from the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y to the recording medium 14 that is rotary conveyed by the rendering drum 44, and thereby a color image is formed on an image formation surface (a liquid adhesion surface) of the recording medium 14 to which the treatment liquid is applied.
• the recording medium 14 on which the color image is formed is delivered to a drying drum 54 via a transfer drum 52, is supported on an outer circumferential surface of the drying drum 54, and is rotary conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the drying drum 54 as the drying drum 54 rotates.
• the recording medium 14 that is rotary conveyed by the drying drum 54 is subjected to a drying process by a drying process apparatus 56.
• the drying process uses a heater to heat the recording medium 14, uses a fan to blow dry air or heating air, or uses both the heater and the fan.
• the recording medium 14 is delivered to a fixing drum 64 via a transfer drum 62.
• the recording medium 14 delivered to the fixing drum 64 is held on the outer circumferential surface of the fixing drum 64 and rotary conveyed along the outer circumferential surface of the fixing drum 64 as the fixing drum 64 rotates.
• the image that is formed on the recording medium 14 that is rotary conveyed by the fixing drum 64 is subjected to a heating process by a heater 66 and a pressurizing process by a fixing roller 68.
• An in-line sensor 82 that is provided on the downstream side of the recording medium conveyance direction at the fixing roller 68 is a device for imaging the recording medium 14 (image) on which the fixing process using heat and pressure is performed. Ejection abnormalities of the inkjet heads 48 , 48C, 48M, 48Y are determined based on the imaging result obtained from the in-line sensor 82.
• the output unit 70 is configured to convey the recording medium 14 to a stocker 76 by means of a chain 74 wrapped around tension rollers 72A, 72B.
• Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of the inkjet head 48 (48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y) illustrated in Figure 1. Because the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48 Y of the present embodiment include the same or similar structure, the inkjet heads are illustrated without the alphabets (KCMY) representing the respective colors, unless the inkjet heads of the respective colors need to be distinguished from each other.
• KCMY alphabets
• the inkjet head 48 is configured by connecting a plurality of head modules 48 A in a longitudinal direction (a direction denoted with M).
• each head module 48 A includes a flow channel, electrical wiring and the like so that each head module 48 A alone can function as a recording head of an inkjet printing system (inkjet head).
• the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y provided in the rendering unit 40 are full-line inkjet heads, in each of which a plurality of nozzles (not illustrated in Figure 2 but denoted with reference numeral 150 in Figure 3) are disposed over the length exceeding the entire width of the recording medium 14 (at least the entire length of an image formation region of the recording medium 14).
• the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y illustrated in Figure 2 are disposed in this order from the upstream side in terms of the recording medium conveyance direction S (see Figure 1). With the single-pass image recording system where the full-line inkjet heads 48 , 48C, 48M, 48 Y and the recording medium 14 are moved relative to each other once, a recorded image can be recorded over the entire region of the recording medium 14.
• the configuration of the rendering unit 40 is not limited to the one described above.
• an inkjet head 48 corresponding to LC (light cyan) or LM (light magenta) may be provided in the rendering unit 40.
• the order of disposing the inkjet heads 48K, 48C, 48M, 48Y can be changed appropriately.
• Figure 3 is a perspective plan view illustrating a nozzle arrangement in the inkjet head 48 (head modules 48A).
• the head module 48 A illustrated in this diagram has a matrix arrangement of a plurality of ejection elements (recording elements) 154 each of which includes a nozzle 150 and a pressure chamber 152.
• the ejection elements 154 are arranged in rows along a direction (a main scanning direction) orthogonal to a conveyance direction for conveying the recording medium 14 (a sub-scanning direction denoted with reference numeral S), as well as an oblique column direction that is not orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 14.
• the matrix arrangement of the nozzles 150 (ejection elements 154) illustrated in Figure 3 can achieve a high density of substantial nozzle arrangement in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 14. Note that the nozzle arrangement in the inkjet head that can be applied to the present invention is not limited to the matrix arrangement illustrated in Figure 3.
• Applicable examples of the nozzle arrangement include an aspect in which the plurality of nozzles 150 are arranged in a single line along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium, and an aspect in which the plurality of nozzles 150 are arranged in a staggered manner in two lines in the same direction.
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a three-dimensional structure of one ejection element of the inkjet head 48 (head module 48A).
• the inkjet head 48 head module 48 A
• the inkjet head 48 includes a nozzle 150 configured to eject ink, a pressure chamber 152 communicated with the nozzle 150, a diaphragm 156 configuring a ceiling surface of the pressure chamber 152, and a piezoelectric element 158 provided in the diaphragm 156.
• the pressure chamber 152 is communicated with a common flow channel 162 via a supply port (supply aperture) 160.
• the common flow channel 162 is communicated with an ink tank disposed outside the inkjet head 48, via a flow channel that is not illustrated.
• the piezoelectric element 158 has a structure in which a piezoelectric body 168 is sandwiched between an upper electrode 164 and a lower electrode 166.
• the piezoelectric element 158 is distorted by application of a drive voltage between the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166, and the pressure chamber 152 is deformed by the distortion of the piezoelectric element 158. Thereby, the ink stored in the pressure chamber 152 is ejected from the nozzle 150.
• ink is supplied from the common flow channel 162 to the pressure chamber 152 via the supply port 160.
• the diaphragm 156 may double as the lower electrode 166.
• the inkjet head 48 illustrated in Figure 4 has a structure in which a plurality of cavity plates are stacked.
• a nozzle plate in which an opening portion of the nozzle 150 (an ink ejection surface 150 A) is formed, a flow channel plate in which the pressure chamber 152, the supply port 160, the common flow channel 162 and the like are formed, the diaphragm, and the piezoelectric element can be stacked in this order.
• each of the plates described above can further be configured by a plurality of plates.
• the present embodiment illustrates the piezoelectric system as an ink ejection system in which a distortion of the piezoelectric element is used.
• the present embodiment can adopt a thermal system including a heater in a liquid chamber that operates the heater of the liquid chamber to heat the ink stored in the liquid chamber and then ejects the ink by means of a film boiling phenomenon.
• Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an example of a connection between the inkjet head 48 illustrated in Figure 1 and a drive voltage supply unit (a drive voltage supply device) that supplies a drive voltage to the inkjet head 48.
• a drive voltage supply unit a drive voltage supply device
• the head module 48A is attached to a head attachment plate 48B corresponding to the head modules 48A.
• the head module 48A is provided with a drive voltage supply unit 90 which supplies a drive voltage to each of the head module 48 A.
• the drive voltage supply unit 90 includes a drive voltage generating circuit and a drive voltage output circuit (both not illustrated) mounted on an electrical wiring board (a drive circuit board) 91.
• a drive voltage output unit of the drive voltage output circuit is connected to an electrical wiring pattern of the inkjet head 48 by a flexible board 90A.
• the data input unit 94 can also include a plurality of interfaces corresponding to different data communication formats.
• the data input unit 94 can include a serial communication interface, a parallel communication interface, and a wireless
• a data converter that converts data to the serial communication format is provided.
• the information on the head module 48 A includes an identification number of each head module 48A, information on each nozzle, such as the. nozzle arrangement and ejection characteristics of each nozzle, information on each ejection element (recording element), such as drive characteristics of each recording element (piezoelectric element, heater), and information on the drive voltage, such as an adjusted value of a drive waveform (voltage).
• the drive voltage can be adjusted based on the information on each nozzle and the information on each ejection element, to secure uniform recording
• information on an attachment error occurring when attaching the head module 48A to the head attachment plate 48B may be included in the information on the head module 48 A. Adjusting the drive of the head module 48 A or correcting the image data based on the attachment error information of the head module 48A can prevent deterioration of image quality caused by the attachment error of the head module 48 A.
• the head module information storage unit 92 includes a memory, data of which can be erased or written in a state in which the memory is mounted and fixed onto the drive circuit board 91 (e.g., an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory, denoted with reference numeral 92A in Figure 6).
• EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
• a state in which the memory is mounted and fixed onto the drive . circuit board 91 means a state in which a terminal (lead) of the memory and a pad of the drive circuit board are bonded to each other by a conductive adhesive agent such as solder.
• a memory in which data can be erased and written on-board is applied as the memory for storing the information on the head module 48A.
• the information on the head module 48 A may be acquired from an information storage body (an IC tag, etc.) attached to the head module 48 A by means of wireless data communication or acquired from a storage medium in which the information of the head module 48A is stored (a memory card, etc.), through a predetermined communication interface (a card slot).
• an information storage body an IC tag, etc.
• a storage medium in which the information of the head module 48A is stored a memory card, etc.
• a predetermined communication interface a card slot
• the information on the head module 48A to be used may be read from a database in which the information on this head module 48 A is stored beforehand, based on the identification number provided to the head module 48A.
• FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the head module information storage unit 92.
• An EEPROM 92A (a storage element) illustrated in this diagram is a storage element with a built-in serial interface.
• the EEPROM 92A has a write-protect terminal WP (an input terminal) to which is input a state switching signal for switching between a data write enable state and a data write inhibit state (read-only state).
• a clock input terminal CL of the EEPROM 92A receives an input of a clock signal based on which an operation cycle of the EEPROM 92A is determined.
• the EEPROM 92 A performs a division process on an input clock signal to generate an operation clock.
• a data input terminal DI receives an input of data of serial format.
• the present embodiment illustrates the storage element of serial data communication format; however, a storage element of a parallel communication system in which data communication is carried out using a bus line can also be adopted.
• the data input terminal DI is electrically connected to the data input unit 94 illustrated in Figure 5 via a wiring pattern formed in the drive circuit board 91 illustrated in Figure 5.
• the EEPROM 92 A illustrated in Figure 6 enters a protect mode, the state in which data writing is disabled (the write inhibit state).
• the protect mode is canceled, realizing the state in which data writing is enabled (the write enable state).
• a pull-up resistor R and an NPN transistor Q are inserted between the write-protect terminal WP and a power-supply voltage V cc (a second voltage generator), and a fuse F is inserted between the write-protect terminal WP and a ground voltage GND (a first voltage generator).
• the read signal is generated by a read signal generator (not illustrated), and is supplied to the transistor Q under control of a control system (to be described hereinafter in detail).
• the transistor Q When the read signal is of an L level, the transistor Q is turned off, and a voltage of an H level is input to the write-protect terminal WP, allowing data to be written to the EEPROM 92A.
• the transistor Q When, on the other hand, the transistor Q is turned on by a read signal of an H level, current flows from the power-supply voltage V cc to the ground voltage GND, not via the pull-up resistor R but via the transistor Q. As a result, the fuse F is melted and cut. After the fuse F is melted and cut, a read signal of an L level is applied to the base terminal of the transistor Q, turning the transistor Q off.
• the level of the voltage input to the write-protect terminal WP is fixed at H level after the fuse F is melted and cut. Therefore, the EEPROM 92A is fixed, in terms of hardware, to the state of disabling data writing.
• the level of the write-protect terminal WP of the EEPROM 92 A is fixed at the H level, and the EEPROM 92A is fixed to the write inhibit state in terms of hardware, without having its level switched to the L level, and the EEPROM 92A functions as a read-only memory. This can prevent the information of the head module 48 A from being lost or rewritten.
• a fuse resistance may be adopted in place of the fuse F.
• a bipolar transistor or an FET (Field Effect Transistor) may be adopted as the transistor Q.
• Figure 7 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating another form of schematic configuration of the head module information storage unit 92 illustrated in Figure 6.
• parts which are the same as or similar to the parts illustrated in Figure 6 are denoted with the same reference numerals and further explanations thereof are omitted.
• the write-protect terminal WP thereof is low-active.
• the EEPROM 92A' enters the data write enable state.
• the EEPROM 92A' enters the data write inhibit state.
• a pull-down resistor R' is inserted between the write-protect terminal WP and the ground voltage GND (the second voltage generator). Also, a fuse F and a resistor R A (R' » RA) are inserted between the write-protect terminal WP and the power-supply voltage V cc (the first voltage generator). The fuse F and the resistor R A are connected in series.
• a transistor Q' is inserted between the connection between the fuse F and the resistor R A and the ground voltage GND.
• a collector terminal of the transistor Q' is connected to the connection between the fuse F and the resistor R A , and an emitter terminal of the same is connected to the ground voltage GND.
• the base terminal of the same receives an input of a read signal (READ).
• READ read signal
• the transistor Q' When the read signal is of an L level, the transistor Q' is turned off, and a voltage of an H level (a voltage obtained by resistively dividing the power-supply voltage V cc by the resistor RA and the pull-down resistor R') is input to the write-protect terminal WP, allowing data to be written to the EEPROM 92A' .
• an H level a voltage obtained by resistively dividing the power-supply voltage V cc by the resistor RA and the pull-down resistor R'
• the transistor Q' When, on the other hand, the transistor Q' is turned on by a read signal of an H level, current flows from the power-supply voltage V cc to the ground voltage GND, not via the pull-down resistor R' and the resistor RA but via the transistor Q'. As a result, the fuse F is melted. After the fuse F is melted, a read signal of an L level is applied to the base terminal of the transistor Q', turning the transistor Q' off.
• the level of the voltage input to the write-protect terminal WP is fixed at L level in terms of hardware after the fuse F is melted. Therefore, the EEPROM 92A' is fixed, in terms of hardware, to the state of disabling data writing, and consequently functions as a read-only memory.
• the level of the write-protect WP of the EEPROM 92 A is fixed at the L level, and the EEPROM 92A' is fixed to the write inhibit state without having its state switched to the H level, and functions as a read-only memory. This can prevent the information of the head module 48 A from being lost or rewritten.
• FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control system of the inkjet recording apparatus 10.
• the inkjet recording apparatus 10 has a communication interface 170, a system control unit 172, a conveyance control unit 174, an image process unit 176, a head drive unit 178, an image memory 180, a ROM 182 and the like.
• the communication interface 170 is an interface unit for receiving raster image data sent from a host computer 184.
• a serial interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a parallel interface such as a Centronics interface may be used as the communication interface 170.
• a buffer memory (not illustrated) may be mounted in the communication interface 170 in order to increase the communication speed.
• the system control unit 172 is constituted of a central processing unit (CPU) and peripheral circuits thereof, and functions as a control device for controlling the entire inkjet recording apparatus 10 in accordance with a predetermined program, as well as a calculation device for performing various calculations.
• the system control unit 172 further functions as a memory controller for controlling the image memory 180 and the ROM 182.
• system control unit 172 controls the communication interface 170, the conveyance control unit 174 and other units to control communication between these units and a host computer 184, controls reading/writing of data to/from the image memory 180 and the ROM 182, and generates control signals for controlling the units described above.
• Image data sent from the host computer 184 is imported to the inkjet recording apparatus 10 via the communication interface 170 and subjected to a predetermined image process by the image processing unit 176.
• the image process unit 176 is a control unit that has a signal (image) processing function for performing various treatment processes/corrections in order to generate a print control signal from the image data, and supplies thus generated print data (dot data) to the head drive unit 178.
• an ejection droplet amount (deposited droplet amount) or ejection timing of droplets ejected by the inkjet head 48 is controlled by the head drive unit 178 based on the print data (halftone image data).
• the head drive unit 178 may be configured by a plurality of blocks with respect to each head unit 12.
• the head drive unit 178 illustrated in Figure 8 may include a feedback control system of maintaining constant drive conditions of the inkjet head 48.
• the conveyance control unit 174 controls conveyance timing and conveyance speed for conveying the recording medium (see Figure 1) based on print data generated by the image processing unit 176.
• the conveyance drive unit 186 illustrated in Figure 8 includes a motor for driving the impression cylinders 34, 44, 54, 64 and the transfer drums 32, 42, 52, 62 that convey the recording medium 14 illustrated in Figure 1, and the conveyance control unit
• 174 functions as a driver for driving the motor.
• the image memory (temporary storage memory) 180 functions as a temporary storage device for temporarily storing the image data input through the communication interface 170, and functions as an expansion area for various programs stored in the ROM 182 and a calculation work area of the CPU (e.g., a work area of the image processing unit 176).
• a volatile memory (RAM) from/to which data can be read/written sequentially is used as the image memory 180.
• Programs executed by the CPU of the system control unit 172, various types of data required for controlling each of the units of the apparatus, control parameters, and the like are stored in the ROM 182. Data are read/written from/to the ROM 182 through the system control unit 172.
• the ROM 182 is not limited to a memory composed of semiconductor elements, and a magnetic medium such as a hard disk may be used.
• the ROM 182 may also have an external interface and use a detachable recording medium.
• control parameters that are required in the operations of the inkjet recording apparatus 10 are stored in a parameter storage unit 190.
• the system control unit 172 appropriately reads the parameters required for control processing and updates (rewrites) the various parameters according to need.
• a program storage unit 192 is a storage device in which control programs for operating the inkjet recording apparatus 10 are stored.
• the system control unit 172 (or each of the units of the apparatus) reads a required control program from the program storage unit 192 in order to control each of the units of the apparatus and appropriately executes the control program.
• the head module information storage unit 92 switches its mode from a write enable mode that enables writing of the information (data) of the head module 48 A, to a write inhibit mode that inhibits writing of the information of the head module 48 A, based on a read signal sent from the system control unit 172.
• the head module information storage unit 92 (92'), the data input unit 94, and the head drive unit 178 are provided on the drive circuit board 91.
• the drive circuit board 91 may be provided with a control unit (not illustrated), and this control unit of the drive circuit board 91 may be caused to execute some functions of the system control unit 172.
• Various types of information such as the operation status of the apparatus and an alarm are displayed on a display unit 171.
• a monitor such as a liquid crystal display is used as the display unit 171.
• a monitor with a touch panel can be adopted as the display unit 171 to serve as an input apparatus used by an operator.
• Figure 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the head drive unit 178 illustrated in Figure 8.
• the configuration example illustrated in this diagram is provided with a drive waveform generator 202 that generates an analog waveform signal
• drive waveform based on a digital waveform signal transmitted from a head controller 200, and an amplifier (AMP) 204 that voltage-amplifies and current-amplifies the drive waveform.
• AMP amplifier
• a drive waveform generated by the drive waveform generator 202 includes a plurality of waveform elements. The amount of ink ejected can be changed gradually by selecting one or more of the waveform elements.
• the print data stored in the shift register 206 is latched in a latch circuit 208 based on a latch signal.
• a signal latched in the latch circuit 208 is converted into a predetermined voltage at which a switch element 214 configuring a switch IC 212 in a level conversion circuit 210 can be driven.
• ON/OFF-controlling the switch element 214 based on an output signal of the level conversion circuit 210 can select at least one of the plurality of waveform elements and determine the ejection amount, and accordingly the piezoelectric element 158 that is driven by a select signal and enable signal sent from the head controller 200 is selected.
• the head drive unit 178 adjusts the drive voltage supplied to each head module 48 A based on the information on the head module 48A (the recording characteristics, the attachment error information, etc.) stored in the head module information storage unit 92 illustrated in Figure 8, such that uniform recording characteristics of the entire inkjet head 48 can be obtained.
• the maximum amplitude, the ejection amount (dot size) and the like are adjusted.
• the drive system of the inkjet head 48 is not limited to the system of selectively applying a common drive voltage (drive waveform); thus, a system of generating a drive waveform for each nozzle can be adopted in an inkjet head having a relatively low number of nozzles.
• the head controller 200 illustrated in Figure 9 can be used as the system control unit 172 of Figure 8 as well.
• Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of storing the information on the head module 48A in the EEPROM 92A.
• the head module 48 A is recognized (step S 12).
• the operator may input the identification number of the target head module 48A or automatically recognize the head module 48A by a barcode or the like attached thereto.
• step S 14 head module information complying with the head module 48 A is acquired.
• the head module information is stored in the EEPROM 92 A (step S 16).
• step S 18 head module information items of all head modules 48 A configuring the inkjet head 48 are stored, the process proceeds to step S 18.
• step SI 8 an operation test is executed on the inkjet head 48.
• the inkjet head 48 is operated to form a test pattern, which is then analyzed, to determine whether the inkjet head 48 is operated properly or not.
• step SI 8 When the inkjet head 48 fails the operation test in step SI 8 (NO), the inkjet head 48 is adjusted (step S20). Then, the process returns to step SI 8, to execute the operation test on the inkjet head 48 again.
• step SI 8 the EEPROM 92A is fixed to the data write inhibit state (step S22, a write inhibit process), and storing of the information on the head module 48A is ended (step S24).
• step SI 8 When the inkjet head 48 consecutively fails the operation tests in step SI 8, the fact that the inkjet head 48 has consecutively failed the operation tests is displayed in the form of character information on the display unit illustrated in Figure 8. Then, the process proceeds to step S24 to end this control.
• the inkjet head 48 is configured by combining the plurality of head modules 48 A.
• the head modules 48 A can be replaced in units of head modules.
• the head modules 48 A can be replaced in units of head modules, it is not necessary to replace the whole inkjet head 48 even when some of the nozzles of the inkjet head 48 become unusable. That way, the time required for the replacement or the time required for the adjustment involved in the replacement can be reduced significantly.
• Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of replacing one of the head modules 48 A.
• parts which are the same as or similar to the parts illustrated in Figure 10 are denoted with the same reference numerals and further explanations thereof are omitted.
• a head module attachment step (step SI) of attaching a head module 48 A to the inkjet head 48 and a fuse replacement step (step S2) of replacing a blown fuse F after the information on the head module 48A to be replaced is written, are executed prior to the step of recognizing the head module 48 A (step S12).
• the information on each head module 48 A which is used for adjusting the drive voltage or attachment error of each head module 48 A, is stored in the EEPROM 92A, and consequently the EEPROM 92A is fixed, in terms of hardware, to the state of inhibiting erasing or writing of data. This can prevent the information on each head module 48 A stored in the EEPROM 92 A from being lost or rewritten during the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus.
• Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating a schematic structure of an inkjet head 348 according to the second embodiment, wherein the inkjet head 348 is viewed from the outside of a head attachment plate 348B to which a head module 348A is attached.
• Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a relationship in arrangement between the head module 348A (a magnet 302) and a magnetic sensor 304, wherein the inkjet head 348 of Figure 12 is viewed from the side.
• the inkjet head 348 illustrated in Figure 12 has the magnet 302 attached to the head module 348A. As illustrated in Figure 13, the position of the magnet 302 in the head module 348 A corresponds to the position of the magnetic sensor 304 attached to the head attachment plate 348B.
• the positions of the head module 348A and the head attachment plate 348B are adjusted based on an output signal of the magnetic sensor 304.
• an error in adjusted position between the head module 348A and the head attachment plate 348B is obtained from the value of the detection signal.
• the distance in which the head module 348 A moves and the detection characteristics of the sensor vary depending on the magnet used. For this reason, in order to accurately align the head module 348A and the head attachment plate 348B, the position of the magnetic sensor 304 needs to match the position of the magnet 302.
• Examples of such storage element include an EEPROM.
• the sensor information storage unit 306 is configured such that, after the sensor information is stored in the sensor information storage unit 306 (EEPROM), the sensor information storage unit 306 (EEPROM) is fixed to the data write inhibit state in terms of hardware and caused to function as a read-only memory.
• EEPROM sensor information storage unit 306
• the sensor board 308 illustrated in Figure 13 has a sensor information input unit 310 for acquiring the sensor information.
• the sensor information input unit 310 is connected to a control system (illustrated in Figure 14) or the drive voltage supply unit 90 (the drive circuit board 91 ) by a predetermined data communication cable 312.
• Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the aspect in which the head module 348 A has the magnet (detected body) 302 and the head attachment plate 348B has the magnetic sensor 304; however, an aspect in which the head module 348A has the magnetic sensor 304 and the head attachment plate 348B has the magnet 302 can also be adopted.
• Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the control system of an inkjet recording apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment.
• parts which are the same as or similar to the parts illustrated in Figure 8 are denoted with the same reference numerals and further explanations thereof are omitted.
• the inkjet recording apparatus 300 illustrated in Figure 14 is provided with the magnetic sensor 304, the sensor information storage unit 306, and the sensor information input unit 310, which are mounted on the sensor board 308.
• the sensor information stored in the sensor information storage unit 306 is calculated, and the degree of displacement between the head module 348 A (see Figure 13) and the head attachment plate 348B is calculated based on the detection signal obtained from the magnetic sensor 304. It is preferred that the degree of displacement be displayed by the display unit 171.
• the sensor information cannot be acquired until after the head module 348A is attached to the head attachment plate 348B (until after the combination of the magnet 302 and the magnetic sensor 304 is determined).
• the sensor information corresponding to the head module 348A (the magnet 302) is acquired and stored.
• the information of the magnet 302 may be acquired from an information storage body (an IC tag, etc.) attached to the head module 348A, by means of wireless data communication or may be acquired from a storage medium in which the information of the magnet 302 is stored is stored (a memory card, etc.), through a predetermined communication interface (a card slot).
• an information storage body an IC tag, etc.
• a storage medium in which the information of the magnet 302 is stored a memory card, etc.
• a predetermined communication interface a card slot
• the information of the magnet 302 attached to a relevant head module 348A may be read from a database in which the information items of a plurality of magnets 302 are stored beforehand.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of storing the sensor information in the sensor information storage unit 306 (EEPROM).
• EEPROM sensor information storage unit
• the head module 348 A (the magnet 302) is recognized (step S 102).
• the operator may input the identification number of the target head module 48A or automatically recognize the head module 348A by a barcode or the like attached thereto.
• the sensor information corresponding to the magnet 302 attached to this head module 348 A is acquired (step SI 04), and the sensor information is then stored in the sensor information storage unit 306 (EEPROM) (step SI 06).
• the sensor information storage unit 306 (EEPROM) is fixed to the data write inhibit state (step S 108, a write inhibit process), and storing of the sensor information is ended (step SI 10),
• step S 1 and S2 illustrated in Figure 11 are executed prior to step S 102 illustrated in Figure 15.
• the detection characteristics of the magnetic sensor 304 are stored as the sensor information for each head module, and the sensor information is stored in the sensor information storage unit 306. Thereafter, the sensor information storage unit 306 is fixed to the data write inhibit state in terms of hardware. This can prevent the sensor information from being lost or rewritten during the operation of the inkjet recording apparatus.
• the sensor information storage unit 306 is fixed to the data write inhibit state in terms of hardware.
• the inkjet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment described above can appropriately be combined with the configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment.
• the present specification illustrates, as an example of an image recording apparatus, the inkjet recording apparatuses that form color images on recording media; however, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the inkjet recording apparatuses.
• the present invention can be applied widely to, for example, a liquid ejection apparatus with an inkjet head, such as a pattern forming apparatus for forming a
• predetermined pattern (a mask pattern, a wiring pattern) by using a functional liquid containing resin particles or metal particles, and an electrophotographic image recording apparatus that has a recording head provided with a plurality of LED elements as recording elements.
• a recording head assembly includes: a plurality of head modules; a head module information acquiring device configured to acquire head module information on each of the plurality of head modules; and a head module information storage device configured to store the acquired head module information on each of the head modules, wherein the head module information storage device includes: a storage element, in which the head module information is stored and information can be written in a state in which the storage element is mounted on an electrical wiring board, and which includes an input terminal to which is applied a voltage for switching between a write enable state of enabling writing of information and a write inhibit state of inhibiting writing of information; a first voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage for bringing the storage element into the write enable state; a fuse provided between the first voltage generator and the input terminal; a second voltage generator configured to generate a second voltage for bringing the storage element into the write inhibit state; a resistor provided between the second voltage generator and the input terminal; a switch element configured to select whether to apply, to the fuse, a current for blowing the fuse; and a
• the fuse is blown and the storage device can be fixed to the write inhibit state in terms of hardware. This can prevent the head module information stored in the storage element from being lost or rewritten.
• information includes recording characteristic information on the head module.
• a control parameter of a recording head be changed based on the recording characteristic information on the head module.
• the recording head assembly in which the head module information includes information on a position detection element used for aligning an attachment member to which the head module is attached, and the head module.
• the head module and the attachment member can be aligned using the position detection information.
• the recording head assembly in which the position detection element includes a magnetic sensor attached to either one of the head module and the attachment member, and a magnet attached to the other of the head module and the attachment member, and the information on the position detection element is output characteristics of the magnetic sensor corresponding to the magnet.
• positional alignment of the head module and the attachment member which is performed using the magnetic sensor and the magnet, can be performed accurately by using the detection characteristics of the magnetic sensor, the position of which matches the position of the magnet.
• the recording head assembly in which the storage element includes a semiconductor element in which data can be erased and written electrically, in a state in which the semiconductor element is mounted on the electrical wiring board.
• examples of the semiconductor element include an
• the image recording apparatus further including a signal generator configured to generate a switching signal for switching the switch element, and a switch control unit configured to supply the generated switching signal to the signal input unit so as to blow the fuse and fix the storage element to the write inhibit state.
• switching the switch element by means of the switching signal can blow the fuse and fix the storage element to the write inhibit state.
• the image recording apparatus including a drive voltage supply device configured to supply a drive voltage to the recording head, wherein the drive voltage supply device adjusts the drive voltage for each of the head modules based on the recording characteristic information of the head module.
• the recording head can be controlled in accordance with the recording characteristics of each head module.
• the image recording apparatus wherein the switch element is a transistor that is connected to the fuse in series, and the switch control unit supplies the generated switching signal to the signal input unit so as to fix the transistor to an OFF state, after blowing the fuse by turning the transistor on and applying, to the fuse, a current for blowing the fuse.
• the switch element is a transistor that is connected to the fuse in series
• the switch control unit supplies the generated switching signal to the signal input unit so as to fix the transistor to an OFF state, after blowing the fuse by turning the transistor on and applying, to the fuse, a current for blowing the fuse.
• the write inhibit state can securely be maintained.
• a recording head adjustment method for a recording head assembly which includes: a plurality of head modules; a head module information acquiring device configured to acquire head module information on each of the plurality of head modules; and a head module information storage device configured to store the acquired head module information on each of the head modules, the head module information storage device including: a storage element, in which the head module information is stored and information can be written in a state in which the storage element is mounted on an electrical wiring board, and which includes an input terminal to which is applied a voltage for switching between a write enable state of enabling writing of information and a write inhibit state of inhibiting writing of information; a first voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage for bringing the storage element into the write enable state; a fuse provided between the first voltage generator and the input terminal; a second voltage generator configured to generate a second voltage for bringing the storage element into the write inhibit state; a resistor provided between the second voltage generator and the input terminal; a switch element configured to select whether to apply, to the fuse, a current
• the recording head adjustment method further includes: a fuse replacement step of replacing the fuse of the head module information storage device when replacing any of the head modules; a re-storing step of storing information on the replaced head module in the storage element after the execution of the fuse replacement step; and a re-fixing step of blowing the replaced fuse and fixing the storage element to the write inhibit state after the execution of the re-storing step.
• the information on the replaced head module is stored, preventing the information on the replaced head module from being lost or replaced.
• the recording head adjustment method further includes a test step of executing an operation test on the recording head after the execution of the storing step and the re-storing step, wherein in the fixing step and the re-fixing step, the fuse is blown to fix the storage element to the write inhibit state after the recording head passes the operation test in the test step.
• the storage element is fixed to the write inhibit state after the recording head passes the operation test. Therefore, this aspect can prevent the information on the recording head that passes the operation test from being lost or replaced.

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• Ink Jet (AREA)
• Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
• Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)

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• 2012
  • 2012-03-30 JP JP2012080153A patent/JP5916480B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2013
  • 2013-03-28 WO PCT/JP2013/060259 patent/WO2013147318A1/en not_active Ceased

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