Element substrate, liquid discharge head, and printing apparatus

An element substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of print elements and a plurality of drive elements for driving the plurality of print elements. The element substrate comprises a generation circuit configured to generate a first drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a first group among the plurality of drive elements, and a second drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a second group among the plurality of drive elements, using a selector configured to switch a signal transmitted from outside of the element substrate and an output destination of the signal within one block period in driving the plurality of drive elements by dividing the plurality of elements into the plurality of blocks. The first drive signal and the second drive signal are generated at different timings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an element substrate, a liquid discharge head, and a printing apparatus, and particularly to, for example, an element substrate integrating a plurality of drive elements and drive circuits for driving the respective elements, a printhead for performing printing in accordance with an inkjet method using the element substrate, and a printing apparatus using the printhead.

Description of the Related Art

In general, a printing apparatus that prints desired information such as characters or images on a sheet-like print medium such as a sheet or a film is widely used as an information output apparatus in, for example, a word processor, a personal computer, or a facsimile.

The arrangement of a head substrate used in such printing apparatus will be described by exemplifying a head substrate according to an inkjet method of performing printing using thermal energy. An inkjet printhead performs printing by providing, as a print element, an electrothermal transducer (heater) in a portion that communicates with each orifice which discharges an ink droplet, and discharging an ink droplet by ink film boiling caused by supplying a current to the electrothermal transducer to generate heat. It is easy to densely arrange a number of orifices and electrothermal transducers (heaters) in the printhead, thereby making it possible to obtain a high-resolution print image.

Along with a recent increase in printing speed, the number of print elements driven in the element substrate tends to increase, and power supply to the element substrate becomes problematic. To solve this problem, the print elements are time-divisionally driven to suppress a current peak flowing into the element substrate. In addition, as described in Japanese Patent No. 4880994, a drive timing is further shifted in a time-division block period, thereby suppressing the current peak. To shift a drive timing in a time-division block period, it is necessary to divide, into two groups, the print elements to be driven by two drive signals, and thus the number of drive signals unwantedly increases by a factor of two. This indicates an increase in number of input terminals provided in the element substrate, and an increase in manufacturing cost of the element substrate is thus concerned.

As a method of suppressing an increase in number of terminals caused by an increase in number of drive signals, there is provided a method, described in Japanese Patent No. 5473767, of providing a circuit that generates a drive signal in an element substrate. In this method, it is possible to drive a print element without providing a drive signal terminal by transmitting data indicating the pulse width of a drive signal and counting edges of the signal pulse of a clock signal used for data transfer. However, if an attempt is made to generate two drive signals in this method, an area occupied by a drive signal generation circuit in the element substrate doubles, and the size of the element substrate increases, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For example, an element substrate, a liquid discharge head, and a printing apparatus according to this invention are capable of internally generating a plurality of drive signals to be used to drive drive elements with an inexpensive arrangement.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an element substrate, including a plurality of print elements and a plurality of drive elements configured to drive the plurality of print elements, for driving the plurality of drive elements by dividing the plurality of drive elements into a plurality of blocks, the element substrate comprising: a generation circuit configured to generate a first drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a first group among the plurality of drive elements, and a second drive signal that drives drive elements belonging to a second group among the plurality of drive elements, using a first selector configured to switch a signal transmitted from outside of the element substrate and an output destination of the signal within one block period in driving the plurality of drive elements by dividing the plurality of drive elements into the plurality of blocks, wherein the first drive signal and the second drive signal are generated at different timings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid discharge head using the element substrate with the above arrangement, comprising a plurality of orifices for discharging a liquid.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for printing on a print medium using the above liquid discharge head as a printhead for discharging the liquid as ink, discharging the ink from the orifices by driving the plurality of print elements.

The invention is particularly advantageous since a plurality of drive signals can be generated by one generation circuit and thus the element substrate can be manufactured at low cost. In addition, the drive elements can be driven using a plurality of drive signals even in a division block by time-divisional driving, and it is therefore possible to reduce the current peak along with driving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Furthermore, the term “ink” (to be also referred to as a “liquid” hereinafter) should be broadly interpreted to be similar to the definition of “print” described above. That is, “ink” includes a liquid which, when applied onto a print medium, can form images, figures, patterns, and the like, can process the print medium, and can process ink. The process of ink includes, for example, solidifying or insolubilizing a coloring agent contained in ink applied to the print medium.

Further, a “nozzle” (to be also referred to as “print element” hereinafter) generically means an ink orifice or a liquid channel communicating with it, and an element for generating energy used to discharge ink, unless otherwise specified.

An element substrate for a printhead (head substrate) used below means not merely a base made of a silicon semiconductor, but an arrangement in which elements, wirings, and the like are arranged.

Further, “on the substrate” means not merely “on an element substrate”, but even “the surface of the element substrate” and “inside the element substrate near the surface”. In the present invention, “built-in” means not merely arranging respective elements as separate members on the base surface, but integrally forming and manufacturing respective elements on an element substrate by a semiconductor circuit manufacturing process or the like.

<Description of Outline of Printing Apparatus (FIGS.1and2)>

FIG.1is an external perspective view showing the outline of the arrangement of a printing apparatus that performs printing using an inkjet printhead according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG.1, in an inkjet printing apparatus (to be referred to as a printing apparatus hereinafter)1, an inkjet printhead (to be referred to as a printhead hereinafter)3configured to discharge ink in accordance with an inkjet method to perform printing is mounted on a carriage2. The carriage2is reciprocally moved in the direction of an arrow A to perform printing. A print medium P such as print paper is fed via a paper feed mechanism5and conveyed to a printing position, and ink is discharged from the printhead3to the print medium P at the printing position, thereby performing printing.

In addition to the printhead3, an ink tank6storing ink to be supplied to the printhead3is attached to the carriage2of the printing apparatus1. The ink tank6is detachable from the carriage2.

A printing apparatus1shown inFIG.1can perform color printing, and for the purpose, four ink cartridges storing magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, respectively, are mounted on the carriage2. The four ink cartridges are detachable independently.

The printhead3according to this embodiment employs an inkjet method of discharging ink using thermal energy. Hence, the printhead3includes an electrothermal transducer (heater). The electrothermal transducer is provided in correspondence with each orifice. A pulse voltage is applied to a corresponding electrothermal transducer in accordance with a print signal, thereby discharging ink from a corresponding orifice. Note that the printing apparatus is not limited to the above-described serial type printing apparatus, and the embodiment can also be applied to a so-called full line type printing apparatus in which a printhead (line head) with orifices arrayed in the widthwise direction of a print medium is arranged in the conveyance direction of the print medium.

FIG.2is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printing apparatus shown inFIG.1.

As shown inFIG.2, a controller600is formed by an MPU601, a ROM602, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)603, a RAM604, a system bus605, an A/D converter606, and the like. Here, the ROM602stores programs corresponding to control sequences to be described later, necessary tables, and other fixed data. The ASIC603generates control signals for control of a carriage motor M1, control of a conveyance motor M2, and control of the printhead3. The RAM604is used as an image data expansion area, a working area for program execution, and the like. The system bus605connects the MPU601, the ASIC603, and the RAM604to each other to exchange data. The A/D converter606receives an analog signal from a sensor group to be described below, performs A/D conversion, and supplies a digital signal to the MPU601.

Additionally, referring toFIG.2, reference numeral610denotes a host apparatus corresponding to a host shown inFIG.1or an MFP, which serves as an image data supply source. Image data, commands, statuses, and the like are transmitted/received by packet communication between the host apparatus610and the printing apparatus1via an interface (I/F)611. Note that as the interface611, a USB interface may be provided independently of a network interface to receive bit data or raster data serially transferred from the host.

Reference numeral620denotes a switch group which is formed by a power switch621, a print switch622, a recovery switch623, and the like.

Reference numeral630denotes a sensor group configured to detect an apparatus state and formed by a position sensor631, a temperature sensor632, and the like.

Reference numeral640denotes a carriage motor driver that drives the carriage motor M1configured to reciprocally scan the carriage2in the direction of the arrow A; and642, a conveyance motor driver that drives the conveyance motor M2configured to convey the print medium P.

The ASIC603transfers data used to drive an electrothermal transducer (a heater for ink discharge) to the printhead while directly accessing the storage area of the RAM604at the time of print scan by the printhead3. In addition, the printing apparatus includes a display unit formed by an LCD or an LED as a user interface.

FIG.3is a circuit diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an element substrate (head substrate) integrated in the printhead.

The number of nozzles (print elements) provided in the printhead3is normally several hundreds to several thousands, and thus large power is required to concurrently drive the print elements. To cope with this, a method of dividing the plurality of print elements into a plurality of blocks and time-divisionally driving, for each block, drive elements belonging to the block is adopted. Furthermore, the plurality of print elements are implemented by being arrayed not in one array but in a plurality of arrays on the element substrate. In the example shown inFIG.3, the plurality of nozzles (print elements) are implemented by being divided and arrayed in four arrays, and heater array circuits700A,700B,700C, and700D that drive the nozzles of the arrays, respectively, are provided. The four heater array circuits have the same arrangement, and the heater array circuit700A will be described as an example.

Note that the four nozzle arrays corresponding to the four heater arrays (print element arrays) are assigned as nozzle arrays that discharge magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, respectively, for full color printing. In addition, the four nozzle arrays corresponding to the four heater arrays may be arranged by being shifted by an interval of ¼ nozzle in the nozzle array direction to perform high-resolution printing by discharging one color ink. In this case, for full color printing, the four element substrates shown inFIG.3are provided in the printhead. As described above, the element substrate includes a plurality of heater arrays (print element arrays).

As shown inFIG.3, the heater array circuit700A includes a plurality of print elements (heaters)703each for heating ink in a corresponding nozzle to be discharged, and a plurality of driver transistors (drive elements)702each for driving a corresponding one of the plurality of heaters703. As the driver transistor, a transistor such as a MOSFET is used. Furthermore, the heater array circuit700A includes logic circuits (AND circuits in this example)701that operate by signals transmitted from the outside (the main body portion of the printing apparatus), and a flip-flop circuit (shift resistor)/latch circuit (F.F/Latch)113.

As is apparent fromFIG.3, this element substrate adopts an arrangement of receiving data from the controller600of the printing apparatus using an LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) method. Therefore, the element substrate includes two LVDS receivers101aand101b. The LVDS receiver101areceives data signals (DATA+ and DATA−) at input terminals103and104, and the LVDS receiver101breceives clock signals (CLK+ and CLK−) at input terminals105and106. Note that a latch signal (LT) is received as a normal serial signal at an input terminal107, and is amplified by an input circuit (OP amplifier)102.

FIG.4is a timing chart of signals received by the LVDS method and signals generated by the internal circuit of the element substrate.FIG.4shows an example of time-divisionally driving the plurality of drive elements corresponding to the plurality of nozzles (print elements) by dividing the drive elements into 16 blocks (blocks0to15).

As shown inFIG.4, in time-divisional driving, data transfer and driving of the print elements are simultaneously performed in each block period201. Thus, during the block period201, the main body portion of the printing apparatus transfers the data signals (DATA+ and DATA−) as differential signals in synchronism with clock signals (CLK+ and CLK−) as differential signals. These differential signals are converted into single-ended internal signals clk and data by the LVDS receivers101aand101b, and transferred to a data expansion circuit111, as shown inFIG.3. The internal signal clk is also transferred to a drive signal generation circuit100. The data expansion circuit111distributes and transfers the internal signals clk and data to the flip-flop/latch circuits of the heater array circuits700A to700D.

On the other hand, the latch signal LT input for every block period is amplified by the OP amplifier102, and transferred, as an internal signal lt, to the data expansion circuit111, the drive signal generation circuit100, and the flip-flop/latch circuits of the heater array circuits700A to700D.

At a timing when the pulse of the latch signal LT is set to Hi (high level), the transferred internal signal data is stored and held in each of the heater array circuits700A to700D, and the nozzle (print element) to be driven is selected.

In the next block period, the driver transistors702are driven in accordance with pulse widths defined by double-pulse drive signals he1(first drive signal) and he2(second drive signal) generated by the drive signal generation circuit100. As a result, the desired heaters703are heated to execute printing. In the example shown inFIG.3, the drive elements of the heater array circuits700A and700C are driven by the drive signal he1and the drive elements of the heater array circuits700B and700D are driven by the drive signal he2. In the example shown inFIG.4, based on data input in association with block0, the heaters corresponding to block0are driven in the next block period. The same applies to blocks1,2, . . . ,15.

Note that in the example shown inFIGS.3and4, since it takes long time to perform data transfer with respect to the pulse width of the drive signal, the drive signals he1and he2are generated at different timings and distributed for each heater array circuit, like the drive signals he1and he2in the block period201. This suppresses a peak current flowing into the element substrate. However, such distribution may be performed in the same heater array.

Embodiments within the element substrate integrated in the printhead mounted on the printing apparatus having the above arrangement will be described next.

First Embodiment

FIG.5is a circuit diagram showing the detailed arrangement of a drive signal generation circuit according to the first embodiment provided in an element substrate. Note that the same reference numerals as already described with reference toFIG.3denote the similar constituent elements inFIG.5, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG.6is a detailed signal timing flowchart of one block period (one cycle) shown inFIG.4.

As shown inFIG.5, a drive signal generation circuit100is formed by a flip-flop/latch circuit114storing pulse width data, a counter112, comparators115ato115d, a combining circuit116, a selector118, and a switching signal generation circuit (reset circuit)117. The pulse width data is included in a data signal data of an internal signal generated by input differential data signals (DATA+ and DATA−).

The counter112is an 8-bit synchronous counter, and counts leading edges of a clock signal clk using a data transfer timing. The comparators115ato115dcompare pulse width data pt0_data, pt1_data, pt2_data, and pt3_data with a count value count<7:0> of the counter112, respectively. If each 8-bit pulse width data matches the count value, each of the comparators115ato115doutputs Hi at the timing of the leading edge of the next clock signal clk.

FIG.6shows a state in which when the count value count<7:0> is “0”, “15”, “31”, or “63”, an output pt3, pt2, pt1, or pt0of the comparator115a,115b,115c, or115dis at Hi. In other words, in this case, the pulse width data pt3_data, pt2_data, pt1_data, and pt0_data respectively having values of “0”, “15”, “31”, and “63” are input to the comparators115ato115d, respectively.

The output signals pt3, pt2, pt1, and pt0of the comparators115ato115dare logically inverted from Low (low level) to Hi in this order, as shown inFIG.6, and then the combining circuit (drive pulse generation circuit)116generates a double-pulse signal he. To generate a double-pulse signal, it is necessary to define the leading edges and trailing edges of two signals, that is, a prepulse and a main pulse. The timings at which the output signals of the four comparators115ato115dare inverted into Hi define the leading edges and trailing edges.

In this example, the pulse widths of the prepulse and main pulse of the generated double-pulse signal he correspond to 15 pulses and 32 pulses of the clock signal clk, respectively. However, it is possible to generate the double-pulse signal he having a desired pulse width by changing the values of the pulse width data pt3_data, pt2_data, pt1_data, and pt0_data.

In the first drive signal generation operation, the selector118selects the A side, and the double-pulse signal he is output as the drive signal he1and input to heater array circuits700A to700D.

The switching signal generation circuit117is a circuit that detects the end of the drive signal he1and generates a signal for regenerating a drive signal. That is, as shown inFIG.6, a timing at which the signal pt0corresponding to the trailing pulse of the drive signal he1is at Hi is detected to generate a signal he2_start and a latch reset signal lt_reset.

As shown inFIG.6, the signal he2_start is a signal that is set to Hi at the leading edge of the clock signal clk next to the clock signal clk at which the signal pt0is set to Hi, and causes the selector118to select the B side to switch the output of the drive signal generation circuit100to the drive signal he2. That is, the selector118switches the output destination of the signal. Similarly, the latch reset signal lt_reset is a signal that is set to Hi at the leading edge of the clock signal clk next to the clock signal clk at which the signal pt0is set to Hi, and is set to Lo at the trailing edge of the next clock signal clk.

The latch reset signal lt_reset resets the count value of the counter112to “0”, and also resets the outputs of the comparators115ato115dto Lo. This causes the drive signal generation circuit100to operate again, thereby outputting the drive signal he2having the same pulse width as that of the drive signal he1.

As described above, it is possible to generate the two drive signals he1and he2in one block period201by causing the counter112of one drive signal generation circuit100to operate for two cycles.

If an attempt is made to generate the drive signals he1and he2by two drive signal generation circuits, it is necessary to count a shift time, and it is thus necessary to fully count the clock signal clk in the block period201.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the counter112operates for two cycles in one block period, and thus need only count up to half of one block period. That is, as compared with a case in which two drive signal generation circuits are provided, the counter can be decreased by one bit, and a single drive signal generation circuit can deal with this. Thus, it is possible to implement a similar function with a circuit area which is half or less of the circuit area of the two drive signal generation circuits, and also increase the speed of the counter operation. Furthermore, since the number of count bits decreases, the pulse width data can also be reduced, and the transfer data amount can be suppressed, contributing to an increase in speed of processing.

Note that in the above-described embodiment, the counter is operated for two cycles in one drive signal generation circuit. However, if the pulse width of the drive signal he is sufficiently small with respect to the block period201, the counter may be operated for three or more cycles. Note that in this case, it is necessary to increase the number of selection channels of the selector118.

In addition, the double-pulse signal has been explained as the drive signal he. However, the present invention may use a single-pulse drive signal he. In this case, any two of the comparators115ato115dare used, and it is therefore possible to reduce the number of comparators. The example in which the drive signal he1is input to the heater array circuits700A and700C and the drive signal he2is input to the heater array circuits700B and700D has been explained. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. That is, the present invention is applicable to a case in which among the plurality of heaters included in one heater array circuit700A, heaters belonging to the first group are driven by the drive signal he1and heaters belonging to the second group are driven by the drive signal he2.

Second Embodiment

In the first embodiment, as indicated byFIG.6, the example when the pulse widths of the drive signals he1and he2are equal to each other has been explained. An example when the pulse widths of drive signals he1and he2are different from each other will now be described.

FIG.7is a circuit diagram showing the detailed arrangement of a drive signal generation circuit100a, included in an element substrate, according to the second embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals as already described with reference toFIGS.3and5denote the similar constituent elements inFIG.7, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only an arrangement unique to this embodiment will be described here.

As shown inFIG.7, in this embodiment, a selector403and flip-flop/latch circuits401and402storing data used to generate the drive signals he1and he2, respectively, are provided. The basic operation of a drive signal generation circuit100ais the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, however, a signal he2_start output by detecting the trailing edge of the drive signal he1is also input to the selector403. By a selection operation of the selector403, the pulse width data of the drive signal he1is input to comparators115ato115dduring the generation period of the drive signal he1, and is switched to the pulse width data of the drive signal he2during the generation period of the drive signal he2.

According to the above-described embodiment, therefore, the drive signals he1and he2can be generated and output as signals having any desired pulse widths, respectively. Note that in this embodiment, since the selector403and the flip-flop/latch circuits401and402are added, the circuit size accordingly increases. However, a circuit scale is about half of that when two drive signal generation circuits are implemented, and it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first embodiment.

Note that in this embodiment as well, a counter is operated for two cycles in one drive signal generation circuit. However, if the pulse width of a drive signal he is sufficiently small with respect to a block period201, the counter may be operated for three or more cycles. In this case, it is necessary to increase the number of selection channels of the selector403, and to add flip-flop/latch circuits accordingly.

Third Embodiment

In the first and second embodiments, the count value and the pulse data value are compared with each other using the counter and the comparator, thereby generating a pulse. However, this embodiment adopts an arrangement in which a count value is directly set in a counter without using any comparator, and is counted down.

FIG.8is a circuit diagram showing the detailed arrangement of a drive signal generation circuit100b, included in an element substrate, according to the third embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals as already described with reference toFIGS.3and5denote the similar constituent elements inFIG.8, and a description thereof will be omitted. Only an arrangement unique to this embodiment will be described here.

FIG.9is a circuit diagram showing the detailed arrangement of a counter integrated in the drive signal generation circuit shown inFIG.8. Note that four counters integrated in the drive signal generation circuit shown inFIG.8have the same arrangement.FIG.9shows only the arrangement of a counter501a. In this example, the counter is formed by an asynchronous 9-bit down counter but may be formed by a synchronous counter. Signal timings are the same as in the first and second embodiments, as already described with reference toFIG.6, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown inFIGS.8and9, the counter501asets pt3_data<7:0> as data of a drive signal he in each of flip-flop circuits503-1to503-9of the counter501aat a timing when a latch reset signal lt_reset is set to Hi. As in the first and second embodiments, the counter501acounts using a clock signal clk used for data transfer. Since the counter501ais a down counter, it counts down for each input of a clock signal pulse, all the 9 bits are “0”, and a carry signal output at the next leading edge is set as a signal pt3.

If the signal pt3is set to Hi, the signal pt3is fed back to another input terminal of an AND circuit502to which the clock signal clk is input, thereby blocking the clock signal input to the counter501a(the flip-flop circuit of the next stage). In this way, the signal pt3is generated. Note that the same applies to signals pt2to pt0generated by other counters501bto501d.

A step of generating a drive signal he1from the four signals pt3to pt0and a step of outputting various signals from a switching signal generation circuit117are the same as in the first and second embodiments.

If the signal pt0outputs Hi and the final edge of the drive signal he1falls, the latch reset signal lt_reset is set to Hi, and pt3_data<7:0> as data of the drive signal is set again in the counter501a. A subsequent operation is the same as that when generating the drive signal he1, thereby outputting the drive signal he2.

As described above, even if the arrangement of the drive signal generation circuit is different, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the first embodiment. As described in the second embodiment, by adding flip-flop/latch circuits401and402and a selector403to the drive signal generation circuit shown inFIG.8, the pulse widths of the drive signals he1and he2can be changed as in the second embodiment.

Note that in this embodiment as well, the counter is operated for two cycles in one drive signal generation circuit. However, if the pulse width of the drive signal he is sufficiently small with respect to a block period201, the counter may be operated for three or more cycles. In this case, it is necessary to increase the number of selection channels of the selector403, and to add flip-flop/latch circuits accordingly.

Note that in the above-described embodiments, the printhead that discharges ink and the printing apparatus have been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile including a communication system, or a word processor including a printer unit, and an industrial printing apparatus complexly combined with various kinds of processing apparatuses. In addition, the present invention can also be used for the purpose of, for example, biochip manufacture, electronic circuit printing, color filter manufacture, or the like.

The printhead described in the above embodiments can also be considered as a liquid discharge head in general. The substance discharged from the head is not limited to ink, and can be considered as a liquid in general.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-096246, filed May 22, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.