CN1715053B - Printing head possessing nozzle logically grouping - Google Patents

Abstract

The page width printing head includes several printing head sections, and each of the printing head sections includes one nozzle array. The nozzle array defines the first stage of group comprising nozzles printing in the common ink color, the second stage of group comprising several groups of the first stage, the third stage of group comprising several groups of the second stage and including nozzles configured for simultaneous starting, and the fourth stage of group including several groups of the third stage.

Description

Has the printhead of the nozzle of marshalling logically

The present patent application be submitted on June 30th, 2000, exercise question divides an application for the Chinese patent application 00819711.3 of " the control print-head nozzle starts method and the corresponding printhead and the printer of sequential ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind ofly control that print-head nozzle starts the method for sequential and according to the print head chip and the printer of this method work.

Background technology

The whole bag of tricks related to the present invention, system and device are open in the following application of awaiting the reply together of application on May 24th, 2000 applicant of the present invention or assignee:

PCT/AU00/00518，PCT/AU00/00519，PCT/AU00/00520，PCT/AU00/00521，

PCT/AU00/00523，PCT/AU00/00524，PCT/AU00/00525，PCT/AU00/00526，

PCT/AU00/00527，PCT/AU00/00528，PCT/AU00/00529，PCT/AU00/00530，

PCT/AU00/00531，PCT/AU00/00532，PCT/AU00/00533，PCT/AU00/00534，

PCT/AU00/00535，PCT/AU00/00536，PCT/AU00/00537，PCT/AU00/00538，

PCT/AU00/00539，PCT/AU00/00540，PCT/AU00/00541，PCT/AU00/00542，

PCT/AU00/00543，PCT/AU00/00544，PCT/AU00/00545，PCT/AU00/00547，

PCT/AU00/00546，PCT/AU00/00554，PCT/AU00/00556，PCT/AU00/00557，

PCT/AU00/00558，PCT/AU00/00559，PCT/AU00/00560，PCT/AU00/00561，

PCT/AU00/00562，PCT/AU00/00563，PCT/AU00/00564，PCT/AU00/00566，

PCT/AU00/00567，PCT/AU00/00568，PCT/AU00/00569，PCT/AU00/00570，

PCT/AU00/00571，PCT/AU00/00572，PCT/AU00/00573，PCT/AU00/00574，

PCT/AU00/00575，PCT/AU00/00576，PCT/AU00/00577，PCT/AU00/00578，

PCT/AU00/00579，PCT/AU00/00581，PCT/AU00/00580，PCT/AU00/00582，

PCT/AU00/00587，PCT/AU00/00588，PCT/AU00/00589 PCT/AU00/00583，

PCT/AU00/00593，PCT/AU00/00590，PCT/AU00/00591，PCT/AU00/00592，

PCT/AU00/00594，PCT/AU00/00595，PCT/AU00/00596，PCT/AU00/00597，

PCT/AU00/00598, PCT/AU00/00516, PCT/AU00/00517 and PCT/AU00/00511.

The disclosure of these same pending applications comprises in this application in the mode of cross reference.

In addition, the whole bag of tricks, system and device related to the present invention are open in the following same unsettled PCT application that applicant or assignee by the application apply for simultaneously:

PCT/AU00/00754, PCT/AU00/00756 and PCT/AU00/00757.

The disclosure of these same pending applications comprises in this application in the mode of cross reference.

Pay particular attention to the patent application of same unsettled PCT application number: PCT/AU00/00591, PCT/AU00/00578, PCT/AU00/00579, PCT/AU00/00592 and PCT/AU00/00590 have described a kind of micro machine ink droplet that is called the Memjet printhead hereinafter in these applications and have printed on demand head.

Above-mentioned Memjet printhead is a kind ofly can produce the multi-segment print head that the printhead section of the double-deck ink dot of 1600dpi is for example constituted by several on the whole width of the page.Ink dot is easy to produce with being isolated from each other, thereby the shake that realizes diffusing point reaches the most satisfactory.Planes of color can print with perfect coincidence system, thus the overlapping dot printing of realizing ideal.This printhead can realize utilizing micro machine ink droplet technology to carry out flying print.

In addition, at same unsettled PCT application PCT/AU00/00516, PCT/AU00/00517, PCT/AU00/00511 and PCT/AU00/00754 have described a kind of print engine/controller that is suitable for driving the above-mentioned page width printing head of quoting among PCT/AU00/00756 and the PCT/AU00/00757.

The multi-segment print head of a above-mentioned type can have 1280 nozzles.The nozzle that these are all starts together can consume too many electric power.This can cause and be full of the relevant some problems of ink and nozzle interference once more.

The startup of the logic circuit control nozzle that starts.Usually, in printhead the startup sequential of nozzle from external control.So just expectation is reduced in the complexity that causes in the outside print head controller.And on printhead, every kind of used color inks has different characteristics at aspects such as viscosity, thermal characteristics.Therefore shoulding be every kind of color provides starting impulse independently.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to the control that nozzle starts in the printhead, the nozzle in this printhead is aligned according to each ink channel.The print data corresponding passage shift register of each passage of packing into.All print datas are sent to the nozzle enable bit, and this nozzle enable bit is for one at each nozzle and utilize timing sequencer independent in each passage to start nozzle in each passage in mutual incoherent mode in time.

Sequential mechanism transferred to help to reduce complexity on the printhead.In addition, because each Color Channel all has its oneself sequential device, the start-up mode of a given color can start at any time.Need not to determine a little accurate number of row with another sequential mechanism.Although do not adopt this mode in the following preferred embodiment, so can carry out overlapping dot printing by the startup sequential of each passage that suitably interlocks.

Usually, the width of starting impulse and waveform produce in the outside of printhead.In following preferred embodiment, the pulse width of the electric pulse of starting nozzle is programmable.

Consider the problems referred to above, nozzle is started by electric pulse.The waveform of paired pulses is programmed to adapt to the ink in the nozzle.Ideally, printhead includes the multirow ink nozzle, and continuous nozzle row has formed each ink channel and started these nozzles by an electrical pulse sequence.Impulse waveform in the pulse sequence is programmed to adapt to the ink in each passage.Ideally, adjust by the program bit paired pulses waveform of the timing sequencer of packing into.Ideally, program bit is present in the table and the printhead of packing into, and the corresponding program bit of each passage is programmed to these tables by the serial line interface of printhead.The nozzle row of each passage is preferably arranged in the right mode of setovering and is realized the startup that biasing is right by out-phase pulse train.

Under condition, micro machine technology is added in the CMOS technology of structure printhead with above-mentioned multi-segment print head (Memjet) technology (description is arranged in list of references).Resulting printhead is a kind of novel printhead.With combining of CMOS technology can be so that in print head chip, comprise logic circuit.This is the desirable place that a placement is used for the sequence circuit of starting nozzle.

In a special form, the present invention relates to that if a kind of control includes the method for the printhead of thousand nozzle row.Continuous nozzle row defines each ink channel, and wherein the nozzle in each passage is organized into groups and the startup in succession of these groups in an identical manner.Ideally, each nozzle row is arranged with the form that repeats nozzle sets along its length direction, and the nozzle in nozzle sets starts in succession along nozzle row; The continuous nozzle sets of each passage is linked as a colourity group, and wherein along the nozzle row in each nozzle sets, the startup in succession of nozzle acts in agreement; And district's group of colourity group is as the work of a startup group, and these startup groups start together.Nozzle in single section is organized into groups physically with the complexity that reduces ink supply and the complexity of wiring.These nozzles are also logically organized into groups with minimum power consumption and are realized various print speed, thus the coordination of realization speed/power consumption in different production configurations.

In another aspect of this invention, a kind of multi-segment print head also is provided, comprise: a plurality of printhead sections, every section comprises a plurality of nozzles, described nozzle logically is organized as: nozzle sets, each nozzle sets have eight continuous nozzles that are configured to print common ink color in the independent physical line; The colourity group, each colourity group has at least one nozzle sets, and each nozzle sets is corresponding to a kind of color, and described color will be by described section printing; The startup group, each startup group has eight colourity groups, and described eight colourity groups include and are configured in flying print the nozzle that starts simultaneously; The stage group, each stage group has ten startup groups; Each section comprises two stage groups, and described two stages group comprises even number stage group that only comprises the even number nozzle row and the odd-numbered stages group that only comprises the odd number nozzle row.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a Pareto diagram of one 4 look printhead section.

Fig. 2 is the zoomed-in view of the nozzle region of printhead among Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows an independent nozzle sets and boot sequence thereof.

Fig. 4 shows an independent colourity group.

Fig. 5 shows an independent startup group.

Relation between Fig. 6 section of showing, stage group, startup group and the colourity group.

Fig. 7 shows the starting impulse that nozzle starts.

Fig. 8 shows a mode that the multi-segment print head stage casing is overlapping.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 shows the arrangement mode of nozzle in one 4 look printhead section 92.A printhead segment length 93 in multi-segment print head is generally 21mm.The width of printhead section is generally 80 μ m being used for solder joint 94 and other logic circuit, and the width 116 μ m (95) (also needing an extra fixative Color Channel in flying print) that are included in every kind of color in the printhead section.Table 1 has been listed the width of the printhead section of the most frequently used print head type.

Table 1. is based on the printhead section width of number of color

Number of colours	Color Channel	Use	Section wide (μ m)
				3	CMY	Take a picture	484
4	CMYK	Desktop printer	600
				5	CMYK-IR	Network enabled (Netpage)	716
6	CMYK-IR-F	Support express network (Netpage)	832

Each 116 μ m colour band it is desirable to two row nozzles, and every capable nozzle is 640, and every kind of color always has 1280 nozzles, and for example the yellow nozzle row 96,97.The number of color has determined the sum of nozzle in the printhead section.Table 2 has been listed some examples.

The example of table 2. number of nozzle

Number of colours	Applicating example	Total nozzle number of every section
			1	K	1280
3	CMY	3840
			4	CMYK	5120
6	CMYK-IR-F	7680

The more detailed view in print-head nozzle district among Fig. 1 has been shown among Fig. 2.In nozzle row 98, the interval between the nozzle is 32 μ m (99) typically, and the amount of bias between two nozzle row 99,100 is 16 μ m (101).Distance between two adjacent 1600dpi points is actually 15.875 μ m, thereby but the printhead section place with the angles of 7.167 degree with respect to paper and make that the horizontal range between the print point is 15.875 μ m.This arrangement mode of nozzle makes one-row pixels corresponding to staggered nozzle row---a line printing even number point, another line printing odd point.

Please see Figure the nozzle in 2, clearly, if the nozzle row of two line printing cyans 102,103 starts simultaneously, the ink of ejection will drop on the different physical lines of paper: odd point drops on delegation, and the even number point drops on another row.Equally, by print point that carmine nozzle row 98,100 prints also will drop on diverse two points capable on.Therefore, for guaranteeing when paper is below printhead to be dropped on the some position correct on the paper by the mixing energy of the color inks of different spray nozzles ejection, the physical distance between the nozzle is vital.Distance between two same colors are capable is 32 μ m (104), or two points are capable.This means that the odd point of same color and even number dot printing are on two points that separate are capable.Distance between adjacent color is capable is 116 μ m (105).Should be noted in the discussion above that this has just obtained 7.25 row, is not the integral multiple of a row.Therefore, thus a kind of printing of color compare staggered in time and paper with following a kind of color and move past a required time of complete point and adapt.If a kind of nozzle of color dot row starts constantly at T, a kind of nozzle of corresponding points of color must start constantly (the T+7.25 point is capable) so down.Relation between each nozzle row can be summarized by defining two variablees:

D ₁Distance=2 between two same color points are gone in=the row

D ₂Distance=7.25 between the same nozzle row of=two kinds of colors

At this moment we can think, if first row of nozzle is that L is capable, first of the color C row is a row so:

L-(C-1)D ₂

Second row of color C is a row:

L-(C-1)D ₂-D ₁

As an example, table 3 shows the relation between the different ink-jet row in the 6 look printheads.Should be noted in the discussion above that having a kind of in these six kinds of colors is the fixative that must at first use.

Relation between the different ink-jet row of table 3.

Every kind of used in printhead color inks has different characteristics at aspects such as viscosity, thermal characteristics.Therefore the starting impulse of every kind of color produces individually.This will further specify hereinafter.

In addition, although in printing, can use art paper, use fixative for the flying print application need on the plain paper.When using fixative, it should be in office what its ink printed print before to its position.Fixative is represented the OR operation of the data of this position.At first print fixative and also paper has been carried out preliminary treatment so that subsequent droplet diffuses to correct size.

A printhead section includes 1280C nozzle altogether, and wherein C is the number of color in this printhead section.A print cycle comprises the startup of all these nozzles at most, and this depends on information to be printed.A loader cycle is loaded information to be printed during being included in follow-up print cycle in the printhead section.

Each nozzle has an associated nozzles enable bit (NozzleEnable bit) of determining whether this nozzle starts during print cycle.Nozzle enable bit (corresponding one of every nozzle) is loaded by one group of shift register.

Logically, each printhead section has C shift register (every kind color one), and each shift register has 1280 positions.Along with the shift register that is shifted into of given color, they are imported into low level nozzle and high-order nozzle on the alternating-current pulse.In inside, each shift register of 1280 is made of two 640 shift register: one is used for high-order nozzle, and another is used for the low level nozzle.Alternately be shifted into internal register alternately.Yet for external interface, each is 1 position in 1280 bit shift register.

In case all shift registers are filled (1280 are loaded pulse) fully, all parallel-by-bits are sent to suitable nozzle enable bit.This equals one 1280 parallel convey.In case transmit, just can begin print cycle.As long as parallel being loaded in when print cycle finishes of all nozzle enable bit carried out, just can print circulation and loader cycle simultaneously.

Loader cycle is relevant with the shift register that nozzle enable bit with next print cycle is loaded into the printhead section.

Each printhead section has and C C 1 input (C is the number of color in this printhead section here) that shift register is directly related.These input called afters Dn, wherein n is 1 to C (for example, one four-color printhead Duan Yousi input is labeled as D1, D2, D3 and D4).A pulse on the SClk circuit of printhead section is sent to suitable shift register respectively with C position.Alternating-current pulse is sent to low level and high-order nozzle with these positions respectively.The transmission fully of data needs 1280 pulses altogether.In case transmitted whole 1280C position, a pulse meeting on the TEn circuit makes data be passed in parallel to suitable nozzle enable bit from shift register.

Parallel convey by the last pulse of TEn must be carried out after print cycle finishes.Otherwise the nozzle enable bit of the row of printing will produce mistake.

Although should be noted in the discussion above that in same print cycle and print, the output of odd and even number point can not appear on the same physics output row.The physical separation of odd and even number nozzle has guaranteed that together with the separation of different colours nozzle they produce a little in the printhead on the different rows of the page.When packing data into printhead, must consider this relative spacing.Actual pitch in the ranks depends on the characteristics of used inkjet mechanism in the printhead.This spacing can limit with variables D 1 and D2, and D wherein is the distance between the nozzle of different colours, and D2 is the distance between the nozzle of same color.Table 4 shows the point that is transmitted to a C color end when preceding 4 pulses.

Table 4. is sent to the order of the point of a section

Pulse	The point	The row of first color	The row of second color	The row of the 3rd color	The row of C color
						1 2 3 4	0 1 2 3	N N+D 2 11 N N+D 2	N+D 1 10 N+D 1+D 2 N+D 1 N+D 1+D 2	N+2D 1 N+2D 1+D 2 N+2D 1 N+2D 1+D 2	N+(C-1)D 1 N+(C-1)D 1+D 2 N+(C-1)D 1 N+(C-1)D 1+D 2

¹⁰Line number between the nozzle of D1=adjacent color (may be 6-10)

¹¹Line number between two nozzle row of D2=same color (may be 2)

1280 all pulses are not always the case.Can obtain the more information of relevant line space by the physical arrangement of nozzle.

Data are the highest can the speed section of being loaded into 80MHz in, at this moment loading whole 1280C bit data needs 16 μ s.

An independent Memjet printhead section includes 1280 nozzles.They are started will expend too many electric energy and may produce simultaneously be full of again with ink and nozzle disturbs relevant problem.Form by a plurality of sections when we consider a typical Memjet printhead, and each section is when all having 1280 nozzles, this problem will be more obvious.

Therefore thereby in a section, nozzle logically organized into groups and realize multiple print speed.These groups allow to reach the coordination of speed/power consumption in different product configurations.

In the lowest speed printing model,, start 10 nozzles in the printhead section for every kind of color at every turn.The definite number of starting nozzle depends on and has occurred the how many kinds of color in the printhead.For example, print in (for example CMYK-IR-F) environment, start 60 nozzles simultaneously at one 6 look.Start all nozzles in the section, must start 128 different spray nozzles groups.

In flying print pattern,, start 80 nozzles in the printhead section for every kind of color at every turn.The definite number of starting nozzle depends on and has occurred the how many kinds of color in the printhead.For example, print in (for example CMYK-IP-F) environment, start 480 nozzles simultaneously at one 6 look.Start all nozzles in the section, must start 16 different spray nozzles groups.

Power consumption in the lowest speed pattern is 1/8th in the fast mode.Yet should be noted in the discussion above that the power consumption of printing one page in both of these case is identical.

Nozzle logically is organized as nozzle sets, colourity group, stage group, startup group and last printhead section itself.

A nozzle sets is made up of 8 continuous nozzles in the independent physical line.When printing with 1600dpi, each nozzle is that to produce diameter in the grid of 15.875 μ m be the point of 22.5 μ m in spacing.Fig. 3 shows the nozzle arrangement of a single nozzles group, and wherein nozzle is numbered according to the order that they should start.

Although nozzle is with this sequence starting, the relation between the physical arrangement of putting on the relation between the nozzle and the type face is different.Two points at interval between the nozzle in nozzle sets, thus allow intermediate point print by other nozzle row.Therefore independent row is just represented a kind of odd point or even number point of color.

The mouth group of every kind of color logically is organized into the colourity group together.Nozzle sets number in colourity group depends on concrete application.In monochromatic print system, (for example only print the system of black), have only a kind of color thereby also just have only a nozzle sets.Photo print application printhead needs 3 kinds of colors (cyan, fuchsin, yellow), therefore is used for the printhead section of these application, and each colourity group has three nozzle sets (nozzle sets of every kind of color).By contrast, desktop printer can include 6 nozzle sets, and wherein Cyan Magenta Yellow Black, infrared and fixative respectively use one.A colourity group is represented the different colours composition of 8 groups of par on the different rows.Definite spacing between the different colours nozzle sets depends on the printing parameter, and to different print head design and difference.This spacing must be taken into account when printing: for example the point of being printed by cyan nozzle is on the different row with the point of being printed by fuchsin, yellow or black nozzles.Fig. 4 shows one 4 a colourity group in the look CMYK print application.

8 colourity groups are organized as a startup group.Why be called the startup group and be because the nozzle sets in given when startup stage startup group starts (this will illustrate in greater detail hereinafter) simultaneously.Forming a startup group by 8 colourity groups is to print for many speed fully.In low speed is printed,, have only a meeting to start the nozzle of given starting impulse in 8 colourity groups at a given starting impulse.In flying print, all 8 colourity groups all can starting nozzle.Because the nozzle quantity that flying print starts is 8 times that low speed is printed, so low speed printing required time is 8 times of flying print.Therefore for a kind of color, a startup group includes 64 nozzles.It is arranged as shown in Figure 5, and the colourity group # is 0-7 and is example with CMYK colourity group.It should be noted that for the sake of clarity, amplified the spacing between the adjacent colourity group.

10 startup groups are weaved into a stage group, and two stage groups are arranged in each printhead section.Even number stage group only comprises the even number nozzle row, and the odd-numbered stages group comprises the odd number nozzle row.Two start circuit, make even energy (EvenEnable) circuit and make strange energy (OddEnable) circuit, and two stage groups are controlled its startup mutually independently as different startups.Owing to all the startup groups in the stage group are shared same starting impulse, these startup groups just start simultaneously.It is arranged as shown in Figure 6.For the sake of clarity, amplified spacing between the adjacent set.Table 5 is summaries of nozzle marshalling in the section.

Nozzle marshalling in section of table 5.

Consist designation	Form	Reproduction ratio	Nozzle number
				Nozzle	Elementary cell	1∶1	1
Nozzle sets	The nozzle of each nozzle sets	8∶1	8
				The colourity group	The nozzle sets of each colourity group	C∶1	8C
The startup group	The colourity group of each startup group	8∶1	64C
				The stage group	The startup group of each stage group	10∶1	640C
The printhead section	The stage group of each printhead section	2∶1	1280C

The a lot of print speed of logic nozzle sets support, as shown in table 6.

The print speed that table 6 printhead is supported

Speed	Number of stages	The nozzle number that per stage starts
			1	128	10C 12(every startup group C)
2	64	20C (every startup group 2C)
			3	32	40C (every startup group 4C)
4	16	80C (every startup group 8C)

The C=number of colours

Print speed can be programmed in the Memjet printhead by serial line interface.The understanding of print speed depends on printhead understanding at interval, therefore being described as follows the printhead interval:

Determine by following at the nozzle that given starting impulse starts:

3 nozzle selection positions (NozzleSelect) (from 8 nozzles of a nozzle sets, selecting one)

8 colourity group selection positions (ChromapodSelect) (0-8 that selection will start a colourity group)

When having set a colourity group selection position, have only the nozzle of definite colourity group to start in the determined mode in colourity group selection position and nozzle selection position.When having set whole eight of colourity group selection position, all nozzles of this colourity group all can start.When beginning to print delegation by the pulse on the NPSync circuit, for each effective setting of colourity group selection place value, the state machine of printhead inside all can travel through the nozzle selection position from 0-7.In order to travel through effective setting of colourity group selection position, colourity group selection position moves to the position of a concrete number.When colourity group selection position and initial chroma group selection position are consistent, increase the value of nozzle selection position.This helps electric energy and the even distribution of heat on printhead during printing delegation.Table 7 has been listed the relevant setting and the shift amount of various print speed and colourity group selection position.

The initial setting up of table 7 colourity group selection position

Speed	Colourity group selection position (ChromapodSelect)	Displacement
			1	10000000	1
2	11000000	2
			3	11110000	4
4	11111111	0(8)

For the flying print pattern, it is listed that state machine produces the boot sequence such as the table 8 in 16 stages:

The boot sequence of table 8 flying print

Colourity group selection position	Nozzle selection	Stage
			11111111	0	Idol is with strange
11111111	1	Idol is with strange
			11111111	2	Idol is with strange
11111111	3	Idol is with strange
			11111111	4	Idol is with strange
11111111	5	Idol is with strange
			11111111	6	Idol is with strange
11111111	7	Idol is with strange

Boot sequence when hanging down printing model is also similar.Yet all of colourity group selection position are different with being provided with, and these 1,2 or 4 just is set.The figure place that is provided with is few more, and the nozzle of startup is just few more.When 1 of colourity group selection position just was set, the time that start all nozzles was exactly 8 times of fast mode.The boot sequence that lowest speed is printed is as shown in table 9.

The boot sequence that table 9 low speed is printed

Produce respectively for every kind of color and to make even energy (EvenEnable) and to make strange energy (OddEnable), so that starting impulse can be overlapping.128 stages of such low speed print cycle just are made up of 64 digit pair stages and 64 odd order sections.Similarly, 16 stages of a flying print circulation are made up of 8 digit pair stages and 8 odd order sections.

Therefore every kind of color has two independently timing sequencers.Each timing sequencer uses the programmable configuration file of its oneself 200 input pulses.When each input defines the time interval of a 10ns, total the time of this 200 1 input is exactly 2 μ s.Because the common duration of a starting impulse is 1.3-1.8 μ s, the duration of 2 μ s is enough.Therefore every kind of color on the printhead needs two 200 table.Serial line interface by printhead can be programmed to these two tables.The odd and even number impulse waveform is identical to be very rational, but considers pulse overlap, and they understand each interval 1 μ s usually.Fig. 7 shows the idol that makes of during a typical print cycle a kind of color can the position and make strange example that can the position, and pulse wherein is very simple.

A kind of impulse waveform of given color depends on the viscosity (depending on temperature and ink characteristics) of ink and the power that printhead can be used.The viscograph of ink can obtain from the QA chip of ink source.Because two stages are overlapping, so the twice that the line time of various print speed is them when occurring first.Print speed is listed in table 10.

The line time of the various print speed of table 10

Speed	Number of stages	Line time	The printing line number of per second
				1	128	128μs	7812
2	64	64μs	15,625
				2	32	32μs	31,250
	16	16μs	62,500

The acoustics disturbance of the inking chamber that the startup of a nozzle can cause this nozzle between a sequential.The startup of this nozzle at next line disturbed in this disturbance meeting.Shortest time between nozzle starts is 32 μ s (the fastest print speed) at interval.Be about 1500m/s because ink channel is 300 μ m length and the spread speed of sound in ink, so the resonant frequency of ink channel is 2.5MHz.Fast mode can produce 80 harmonic periods, at this moment reaches minimum acoustics disturbance.

A printhead section produces the feedback of several types, and these feedbacks may be used to adjust the sequential of starting impulse.Because a plurality of printhead sections are integrated in the printhead, tristate bus line of feedback line effect can be shared, this moment, synchronization had only a printhead section that feedback information is placed on the feedback line.

If specific printhead section provides feedback, the pulse and the data on the D1 of the CCEn circuit of printhead section are carried out AND-operation.The feedback-induced circuit will come from this printhead section and arrive until next CCEn pulse.This feedback is an one of the following:

The temperature of T induction notification controller printhead is owing to the viscosity of temperature effect ink, and this will allow controller to adjust the starting impulse waveform.

The voltage that V induction notification controller can provide for actuator.This makes that controller can be by adjusting pulse width so that flat battery or high-voltage power supply are compensated.

The resistivity (ohm-sq) of the heater of R induction notification controller actuator.Thereby this makes controller can the regulating impulse width keep energy not change with the heater resistance rate.

The width of W induction notification controller heater key component, because the deviation of lithographic printing and etch process, this width has ± 5% variation.This will make suitably regulating impulse width of controller.

Print procedure has the strong trend of the equilibrium temperature of remaining on.Point for the first that guarantees printer page has consistent size will reach equilibrium temperature before printing any point.This realizes by a warm.Warm is included in the loading process (for example, the nozzle that all will start being set) of in 1 second all nozzles of a printhead section being adorned China ink, and a lot of short starting impulse of each nozzle.The duration of pulse must can not be enough to start ink droplet, but but is enough to heating ink.Each nozzle needs about 200 pulses altogether, and the circular order of pulse is identical with the standard print order.The T induction provides the feedback during the preheating mode, and continues until reaching equilibrium temperature (surpassing about 30 ℃ of environment temperature).Preheating mode continues about 50 microseconds, and depends on ink composition.Before each print out task, all to carry out preheating.This can not influence its performance, because this is to carry out when printer transmits when data.

In order to reduce the blocked probability of nozzle, before each print out task, carry out a scale removal process.Each nozzle sprays several times to absorbing in the sponge.The cleaning circulation includes a loading process (for example, the nozzle that all will start being set) of all nozzles of a printhead section being adorned China ink in 1 second, and a lot of starting impulses of each nozzle.Nozzle is cleared up by the nozzle boot sequence identical with the standard print process.The number of times that each nozzle starts depends on the time of ink composition and printer free time.Identical with warm, scale removal process to print performance without any influence.

The printhead section is by an I ²The C serial line interface is programmed.It comprises following parameters is set:

Two group of 200 digit pulse waveform of every kind of color

Print speed

Feedback data type (temperature, resistivity etc.).

In addition, the printhead characteristic vector after the merging is read back by serial line interface.This characteristic vector includes the nozzle information and the relative section array data of obstruction.Thereby each printhead section can be inquired about a characteristic vector returning this printhead section by its low-frequency serial bus.Thereby the characteristic vector of multi-segment print head may be incorporated in together and creates a nozzle defect tabulation and allow print engine during printing defective nozzle to be compensated for whole printhead.As long as defective nozzle seldom, this compensation just can produce with those printheads that do not have the nozzle of defective does not have other result of visual field.

The characteristic vector of each printhead section has 384, and its composition has:

64 marks and printhead segment information comprise the sequence number and the number of expression color in the printhead section

16 array datas (the 0=first printhead section) with respect to previous printhead section

The defectiveness nozzle tabulation of using up all the other of a variable-length

The length of defective nozzle tabulation is variable, and every group of defective nozzle has following structure:

5 countings (0=tabulates terminal)

3 colors

Count * 11, record of each defective nozzle

Usually, a printhead section has as the defined connection of table 11.Should be noted that for multiple color, some connection is repetition.

Table 11 printhead section connects

Title	The repetition of multiple color printhead section	Function
			D[n]	Be	The passage n of view data
SClk	Not	The serial data transfer clock
			NPSync	Not	The nozzle Phase synchronization
PLL	Not	Phase place locking loop clock
			TEn	Not	Parallel transmission starts
Reset	Not	Control resets
			SCl	Not	The I that is used to control 2The C serial clock
SD	Not	The I that is used to control 2The C serial data

Title	The repetition of multiple color printhead section	Function
			CCEn[n]	Not	Control chip starts [n]
Gnd	Not	Analogue ground
			Sense	Not	Analogue inductive output
V-	Be	The negative pole driving power
			V+	Be	Anodal driving power
Vss	Be	The negative pole logic power
			Vdd	Be	Anodal logic power

The long printhead section of 21mm has 64 solder joints in the center of 300 μ m.24 in these solder joints is to provide V-power supply to drive unit, and 20 is to provide V+ power supply to drive unit.Remaining 20 connection is that CMOS logic power, signal and data connect.Table 12 describes these connections in detail.

The connection of table 126 look printhead section

Numbering	Title	Function
			1-6	V-	The negative pole driving power
7	Vss	The negative pole logic power
			8	D1[n]	The passage 1 of view data [n] (the 6th passage printhead is a fixative)
9	D2[n]	The passage 2 of view data [n] (the 6th passage printhead is infrared)
			10	SClk	The serial data transfer clock
11	Vdd	Anodal logic power
			12-16	V+	Anodal driving power
17-22	V-	The negative pole driving power
			23	NPSync	The nozzle Phase synchronization
24	D3[n]	The passage 3 of view data [n] (the 6th passage printhead is a black)
			25	D4[n]	The passage 4 of view data [n] (the 6th passage printhead is yellow)

Numbering	Title	Function
			26	PLL	Phase place locking loop clock
27	TEn	Parallel transmission starts
			28-32	V+	Anodal driving power
33-38	V-	The negative pole driving power
			39	Reset	Control restarts
40	D5[n]	View data [the passage 5 of n (the 6th passage printhead is a fuchsin)
			41	D6[n]	The passage 6 of view data [n] (the 6th passage printhead is a cyan)
42	SCl	The I that is used to control 2The C serial clock
			43	SD	The I that is used to control 2The C serial data
44-48	V+	Anodal driving power
			49-54	V-	The negative pole driving power
55	Vdd	The negative pole logic power
			56	Gnd	Analogue ground
57	CCEn[n]	Control chip starts [n]
			58	Vss	The negative pole logic power
59	Sense	Analogue inductive output
			60-64	V+	Anodal driving power

Ideally, a multi-segment print head is made up of several same printhead section.After being manufactured in together typically or making, these printhead sections are assembled together with the 21mm printhead of the printhead that forms expection length.These printhead sections can be set to overlapping to realize seamlessly transitting between the printhead section as required.Each 21mm inch printhead section is printed the bilayer point of 1600dpi to produce final image on the different piece of the page.Although each printhead section produces 1280 points of final image, each point all is that the combination by color inks is constituted.For example, 15 printhead sections are combined side by side and are realized one 12 inches printhead.Each printhead section all can be considered and has an introducing district, a central area and a draw-out area.The introducing district of the corresponding next printhead section in the draw-out area of a printhead section.

In Fig. 8, by two overlay segments 106,107 are shown, three of a printhead section districts as can be seen.Notice that the draw-out area 108 of printhead section S (110) is corresponding to the introducing district of printhead section S+I (107).The central area of a printhead section does not have overlapping areas (in 110 sections and 107 in 106 111 sections) exactly.Though the figure shows faulting row's printhead section, printhead Duan Yiyi wrong row of low-angle so that they align in vertical direction.

When giving the printhead wiring, to add to note.Along with the increase of printhead width, the number of printhead section can increase, and the number of connection also can increase.Dn the connection of each printhead Duan Youqi oneself (total C group) also has SClk to be used to load and being connected of printing with other.

When the number S of printhead section is very little, utilize a shared SClk circuit and provide C bit data to each Dn input of printhead section, can load all printhead sections simultaneously.In one 4 sections 4 look printers, the total bit that is sent to printhead in a SClk pulse is 16.Yet for 12 inches printers of one six channel start (C=6), S=15 unlikely has 90 single data circuits to be connected to printhead from print data generator.Instead, some printhead sections can be grouped in together in order to load purpose.Every group of printhead section is enough little so that can load simultaneously and a shared SClk circuit.For example, 12 inches printheads can have two section groups, and each section group includes 8 printhead sections.Two groups can shared 48 Dn circuits, and two SClk circuits are arranged, one of each section group.Even second 8 sections group do not have the printhead section, the printhead section is divided into groups to remain very beneficial.Therefore, in the end may not can use some positions in a group.

Along with the increase of section group number, the loading required time of printhead also can increase.When having only one group, need 1280 to load pulse (each pulse transmits C data bit).When G organizes, need 12800 to load pulse.Connect between number generator and the printhead that bandwidth must can be dealt with this situation and in the allowed time sequence parameter scope of concrete application.If the number and the L of the G section of being group are the maximum numbers of printhead section in the group, printhead needs L * C color data circuit and G SClk circuit.No matter how many G is, only need a TEn circuit, all printhead sections can shared this circuit.Because L printhead Duan Youyi SClk pulse in each section group loaded, any print progress must be that printhead produces data with correct order.For example, when G=2 and L=4, first SClk1 pulse will transmit Dn position for the point 0,1280,2560 and 3840 of next print cycle.First SClk2 pulse will transmit Dn position for the point 5120,6400,7680 and 8960 of next print cycle.Second SClk1 pulse will transmit Dn position for the point 1,1281,2561 and 3841 of next print cycle.Second SClk2 pulse will transmit Dn position for the point 5121,6401,7681 and 8961 of next print cycle.

In 1280G SClk pulse (each SClk1 and SClk2 are 1280) afterwards, the data of whole circuit all have been loaded into printhead and can have sent shared TEn pulse.

What be sought after noting is although the output of odd and even number color is printed during identical print cycle, not to be presented on the identical physics output row.Separation in the printhead between the nozzle of the physical separation of odd and even number nozzle and different colours has guaranteed that they produce a little on the different rows of the page.When being loaded into printhead, data must consider this relative spacing.Under the situation of only considering a section group, table 13 shows the point that is sent to the S section of printhead at preceding 4 impulse durations of shared SClk.

Table 13 is sent to the order of the point of S section in a multi-segment print head

Pulse	The point	Color	1 row	Color	2 row	Color C is capable
							1 2 3 4	1280S13 1280S+1 1280S+2 1280S+3	N N+D215 N N+D2	N+D 1 14 N+D 1+D 2 N+D 1 N+D 1+D 2	N+(C-1)D 1 N+(C-1)D 1+D 2 N+(C-1)D 1 N+(C-1)D 1+D 2

¹³The S=segment number

¹⁴Line number between the nozzle of D1=adjacent color (may be 7-10)

¹⁵Line number between two nozzle row of D2=same color (may be 2)

1280 SClk pulses of all of this physical segment group are not always the case.

For printing, each section is printed with 10C nozzle when the lowest speed printing model, and each section is with 80C nozzle printing when flying print pattern.

Although can give the section wiring in any way, only consider the situation that all sections start simultaneously herein.This is because the low speed printing model realizes the low energy consumption of little printhead (for example 2 inches and 4 inches) to be printed, and the design assumption of controller chip has enough electric energy can be used for big stamp with the size (for example 8-18 inch).If a concrete application need is easy to change the grouping of connection to realize starting in the printhead.When all sections start simultaneously, when the low speed printing model, start 10C * S nozzle, when the flying print pattern, start 80C * S nozzle.Because all sections are printed simultaneously, print logic is with above-mentioned identical and the circuit time is defined identical with table 10.

As mentioned above, a printhead section produces an analog feedback circuit.This feedback is used to adjust the waveform of starting impulse.Because multi-segment print head is integrated into a printhead, can this circuit is shared as a tristate bus line, the same time has only a section that feedback information is placed on the feedback line.Depend on D1 owing to select which section that feedback information is placed on the shared induction line, the section grouping that is used for loading data can be used to select the section fed back effectively.Situation as G bar SClk circuit (a shared circuit between the section of same section group) arranged has G bar CCEn circuit shared in an identical manner.When correct CCEn circuit produces pulse, the section that is set to that group of D1 position will begin data are placed on the shared feedback line.While must provide the front section of feedback to be set to 0 by its D1 position and forbid, and this section can be at a different Duan Zuzhong.Therefore when having a plurality of sections groups, changing feedback section needs two steps: forbid old section, and enable new section.

Below printhead of supposition is made of several above-mentioned sections.Suppose also that for loading data these sections are divided into G section group, and L section arranged in the largest segment group.Suppose C kind color is arranged in this printhead.The Initiated Mechanism of supposing this printhead is that all sections start simultaneously, and the same time has only a section that feedback signal is placed on the shared tristate bus line.On above-mentioned supposition, table 14 has been listed available outside connection on the printhead:

The connection of table 14 printhead

The purpose of this specification is to describe the preferred embodiments of the present invention, rather than the present invention is defined in the combination of any one embodiment or concrete characteristics.Those skilled in the art can realize various variations on specific embodiment, but these variations obviously should be within the scope of the invention.

Claims (2)

1. multi-segment print head comprises:

A plurality of printhead sections, every section comprises a plurality of nozzles, described nozzle logically is organized as: nozzle sets, each nozzle sets have eight continuous nozzles that are configured to print common ink color in the independent physical line; The colourity group, each colourity group has at least one nozzle sets, and each nozzle sets is corresponding to a kind of color, and described color will be by described section printing; The startup group, each startup group has eight colourity groups, and described eight colourity groups include and are configured in flying print the nozzle that starts simultaneously; The stage group, each stage group has ten startup groups; Each section comprises two stage groups, and described two stages group comprises even number stage group that only comprises the even number nozzle row and the odd-numbered stages group that only comprises the odd number nozzle row.

2. multi-segment print head as claimed in claim 1, wherein, each colourity group has at least three nozzle sets on the corresponding line that is positioned at described nozzle.

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