US20090085946A1 - Inkjet recording head and inkjet recording apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Inkjet recording head and inkjet recording apparatus having the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090085946A1
US20090085946A1 US12/205,204 US20520408A US2009085946A1 US 20090085946 A1 US20090085946 A1 US 20090085946A1 US 20520408 A US20520408 A US 20520408A US 2009085946 A1 US2009085946 A1 US 2009085946A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
ink
recording head
discharging
inkjet recording
passage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US12/205,204
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English (en)
Inventor
Takatsuna Aoki
Hideo Kanno
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Canon Inc
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Canon Inc
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Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA reassignment CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AOKI, TAKATSUNA, KANNO, HIDEO
Publication of US20090085946A1 publication Critical patent/US20090085946A1/en
Priority to US13/105,510 priority Critical patent/US8287082B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04588—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits using a specific waveform
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/0451—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04541—Specific driving circuit
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04573—Timing; Delays
    • 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
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/0458—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on heating elements forming bubbles
    • 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
    • B41J2/14016—Structure of bubble jet print heads
    • B41J2/14153—Structures including a sensor
    • 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
    • B41J2002/14354—Sensor in each pressure chamber

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to inkjet recording apparatuses, and more particularly, to an inkjet recording apparatus that can detect defective discharging.
  • the term “recording” includes applications of ink (printing) to ink support materials such as cloth, strings, paper, and sheet materials.
  • the term “recording apparatus” includes various information apparatuses and printers serving as output devices of the apparatuses.
  • recording apparatuses that perform recording with an inkjet recording head have been rapidly popularized as output (recording) apparatuses for the information processing apparatuses.
  • an inkjet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording head and an ink tank are mounted, a conveying mechanism for conveying a recording medium, and a control circuit for controlling the carriage and the conveying mechanism.
  • a typical defective-discharging detecting device is an optical defective-discharging detecting device including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion for receiving light from the light-emitting portion.
  • this optical defective-discharging detecting device light from the light-emitting portion is blocked by ink droplets discharged from discharge ports. On the basis of the change in output of the light-receiving portion (change in amount of received light), defective discharging is detected.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-194967 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus including an optical defective-discharging detecting device.
  • FIGS. 16A and 16B explain an operation of detecting defective discharging of ink.
  • FIG. 16A is a schematic view showing a state in which ink discharged from a recording head passes through an optical path between a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion
  • FIG. 16B is a waveform chart showing an output waveform from the light-receiving portion in this case.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B also explain an operation of detecting defective discharging of ink.
  • FIG. 17A is a schematic view showing a state in which ink discharging is abnormal
  • FIG. 17B is a waveform chart showing an output waveform from the light-receiving portion in this case.
  • a recording head 1 includes a plurality of ink discharge ports 2 .
  • Electrothermal transducers (heaters) 3 are provided in the corresponding passages (nozzles) communicating with the ink discharge ports 2 .
  • a discharging pulse rectangular pulse
  • ink in the corresponding passage is heated by heat energy from the electrothermal transducer 3 .
  • An ink droplet 2005 is thereby discharged from the corresponding ink discharge port 2 .
  • the ink droplet 2005 discharged from an ink discharge port 2 passes through the optical path of light emitted from a light-emitting portion 2001 toward a light-receiving portion 2002 .
  • the ink droplet 2005 blocks light from the light-emitting portion 2001 , and the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion 2002 is thereby decreased.
  • the level of an output signal 2006 A from the light-receiving portion 2002 is lower than a threshold value 2004 , as shown in FIG. 16B .
  • the amount of light received by the light-receiving portion 2002 does not change significantly.
  • the level of an output signal 2006 B from the light-receiving portion 2002 is higher than the threshold value 2004 , as shown in FIG. 17B .
  • the ink discharging operation is normal. In contrast, when the level of the output signal from the light-receiving portion 2002 is higher than the threshold value 2004 (the state shown in FIG. 16B ), it is determined that the ink discharging operation is abnormal (defective discharging).
  • a carriage motor is controlled so as to move a carriage, on which the recording head 1 is mounted, to a position where a suction cap is provided. Then, a suction-cap motor is controlled so as to cap the ink discharge ports 2 of the recording head 1 with the suction cap, and ink is sucked from the recording head 1 by a suction pump. As necessary, the carriage motor is controlled so as to move the recording head 1 to a position where a cleaning plate is provided, and the ink discharge ports 2 are cleaned with the cleaning plate.
  • ink suction After ink suction, it is judged again whether the ink discharging operation is normal or abnormal.
  • a message indicating “abnormal” is displayed on a display (for example, an LCD) in the recording apparatus so as to urge the user to refill ink or to replace the recording head.
  • recording is started.
  • a recording head disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-118267 is a liquid discharging device in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged, and in which conductors for detecting the change in temperature are provided in passages (nozzles) between the adjacent electrothermal transducers (beside the electrothermal transducers).
  • the above-described inkjet recording apparatus has the following problems.
  • a plurality of ink droplets are simultaneously discharged from a plurality of discharge ports, and the change in output from the light-receiving portion caused when the ink droplets block the optical path is detected. Therefore, it is difficult to make judgment about defective discharging of ink with respect to each discharge port. It is conceivable to detect the change in output from the light-receiving portion by discharging an ink droplet from only one discharge port. In this case, however, the change in output from the light-receiving portion caused when one ink droplet blocks the optical path is small, and therefore, it is difficult to make an accurate judgment about defective discharging of ink. Further, the optical defective-discharging detecting device is susceptible to external light, which also makes detection of defective discharging difficult. In this way, it is difficult to make an accurate judgment about defective discharging with respect to each discharge port.
  • a defective-discharging detecting operation cannot be performed during recording on a recording medium. For this reason, the user needs to perform a defective-discharging detecting operation before recording on the recording medium in order to check whether ink discharging failure has occurred in the inkjet recording head. This defective-discharging detecting operation decreases the throughput of the recording apparatus.
  • the present invention provides an inkjet recording head that overcomes the above-described problems and that can accurately detect ink discharging failure with a high throughput, and an inkjet recording apparatus using the inkjet recording head.
  • An inkjet recording head includes a passage communicating with a discharge port for discharging ink, an energy generating element, provided in the passage, for generating energy to discharge ink from the discharge port, and a detecting unit, provided in the passage, for detecting a temperature of ink that changes in accordance with heat energy generated by the detecting unit and a flow of ink in the passage.
  • An inkjet recording apparatus includes the above-described inkjet recording head; and a control unit configured to control driving of the inkjet recording head.
  • an ink flow caused in the passage when discharging ink (ink flow caused by ink refilling) is detected.
  • the flow of ink is smaller than during normal discharging.
  • the magnitude of the ink flow in the case of discharging failure has a sufficiently distinguishable difference from that during normal discharging. Therefore, it is possible to accurately distinguish between normal discharging and defective discharging.
  • the detection accuracy will not be reduced by external influence, unlike the optical defective-discharging detecting device. This allows for highly accurate detection.
  • the throughput of the recording apparatus is higher than that of a recording apparatus including an optical defective-discharging detecting device.
  • the detecting unit generates heat energy in response to generation of energy by the energy generating element, and the temperature of the ink is then detected. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the accuracy in detecting ink discharging failure.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a part of a substrate in an inkjet recording head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the substrate, taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view showing another structure of a flow sensor used in the inkjet recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B explain the principle of operation of the flow sensor in the inkjet recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A is a characteristic view showing how the output voltage changes when an ink flow is formed
  • FIG. 4B is a characteristic view showing how the output voltage changes when there is no ink flow.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a driving circuit in an ink-flow detector used in the inkjet recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIGS. 6A to 6E explain the principle of operation of the ink-flow detector shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B explain the behavior of ink in a passage displayed when discharging is performed in the inkjet recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7A is a schematic view showing the behavior of ink in the passage during normal discharging
  • FIG. 7B is a schematic view showing the behavior of ink in the passage displayed when a discharge port is covered with extra ink and defective discharging is caused thereby.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a defective-discharging detecting procedure performed in the inkjet recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIGS. 9A to 9E explain the principle of operation of a flow sensor in an inkjet recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 12A to 12E explain the principle of operation of a detecting element used in the inkjet recording head of the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing structures of a recording head and its surroundings in an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a surface of the recording head shown in FIG. 14 on which ink discharge ports are provided.
  • FIGS. 16A and 16B explain a defective-discharging detecting operation performed in an inkjet recording head.
  • FIG. 16A is a schematic view showing a state in which ink discharged from a recording head passes through the optical path between a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion
  • FIG. 16B is a waveform chart showing an output waveform from the light-receiving portion.
  • FIGS. 17A and 17B explain a defective-discharging detecting operation performed in the inkjet recording head.
  • FIG. 17A is a schematic view showing a state ink discharging is abnormal
  • FIG. 17B is a waveform chart showing an output waveform from the light-receiving portion.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing structures of a recording head and its surroundings in an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus is a serial inkjet color printer.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head 1 having a plurality of lines of nozzles, and a carriage on which the recording head 1 is mounted. By discharging ink droplets from the recording head 1 , an image is recorded on a recording medium 12 .
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a surface of the recording head 1 on which ink discharge ports 2 are provided.
  • the ink discharge ports 2 are arranged in two lines and in a zigzag formation in the main scanning direction.
  • the inkjet recording apparatus includes a control unit that controls the driving of the recording head 1 .
  • a recording head a recording head according to, but not limited by, any of the following first to fifth embodiments can be used.
  • the control unit controls the operation of the entire inkjet recording apparatus, and also performs a recovery operation when ink discharging failure occurs in the recording head 1 .
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a part of a substrate in an inkjet recording head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the substrate, taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 .
  • a heater board 10 has a structure in which a common liquid chamber 18 is provided at the center thereof, as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the board surface.
  • a heater unit 3 A including a plurality of discharging heaters 3 arranged in line is provided.
  • Dummy resistors are provided near the heater units 3 A.
  • the dummy resistors are not used for discharging of ink droplets.
  • the discharging heaters 3 are electrothermal transducers (discharging-energy generating elements) that generate heat energy in accordance with the applied voltage, and are connected to terminals 4 to which a driving signal is applied.
  • the terminals 4 are connected to external terminals (output terminals of a driving-signal supply circuit) by wire bonding. When a driving signal is applied to a terminal 4 , the corresponding discharging heater 3 is driven.
  • the discharging heater 3 is provided in each passage communicating with a discharge port.
  • Each passage communicates with the common liquid chamber 18 , and incorporates a flow sensor 5 serving as a detecting element for detecting the change in ink flow in the passage.
  • the discharging heater 3 and the flow sensor 5 can be provided on the same substrate surface.
  • the flow sensor 5 can be formed as a film-shaped sensor by the same film deposition process as that for the discharging heater 3 .
  • a protective film 6 serving as an insulating film is provided on the surface where the discharging heater 3 and the flow sensor 5 are provided, and a cavitation-resistant film 7 is provided on the protective film 6 .
  • a passage 18 a serving as a nozzle communicating with a discharge port 2 is formed.
  • the passage 18 a is provided on the cavitation-resistant film 7 , and communicates with the common liquid chamber 18 .
  • the discharging heater 3 is provided in a portion of the member that defines the passage 18 a (heater board 10 ) facing the discharge port 2 .
  • heat energy generated by the discharging heater 3 is applied to ink in the passage 18 a , and a bubble is thereby generated in the ink in the passage 18 a .
  • the ink is discharged from the passage 18 a through the discharge port 2 .
  • This method for discharging ink by generating a bubble is generally called a bubble jet method.
  • the cavitation-resistant film 7 prevents an impact caused by contraction of the bubble from being transmitted to the discharging heater 3 and the protective film 6 .
  • the cavitation-resistant film 7 is formed of a metal having a high melting point, for example, tantalum.
  • the flow sensor 5 is provided in a portion of the heater board 10 between the discharge port 2 and an ink supply port through which ink is supplied into the passage 18 a .
  • the flow sensor 5 detects the flow of ink in the passage 18 a . Similar to other portions, the flow sensor 5 can be formed with high precision by a semiconductor film deposition process.
  • the flow sensor 5 is formed of a material whose resistance varies in accordance with the temperature.
  • the flow sensor 5 can be formed of, for example, aluminum, titanium, and tantalum that form the other components, or platinum, tantalum nitride, and titanium nitride that are frequently used as temperature-measuring resistors.
  • aluminum can be used as an electrode.
  • Tantalum can be provided at the top of the sensor in order to improve the resistance to cavitation.
  • the line width of the sensor may be increased in order to reduce variations in wiring resistance in a process of forming the flow sensor. Further, in order to output a high voltage in response to even a slight temperature change, a wiring pattern of the sensor may have a meander shape that increases the resistance of the sensor.
  • a flow sensor 14 may be provided in a bridge portion formed by anisotropic edging so as to be spatially insulated from the heater board 10 .
  • a pair of holes 13 are provided in the heater board 10 so as to oppose each other across the flow sensor 14 .
  • the holes 13 are connected in the heater board 10 so that a connecting portion therebetween passes under the bridge portion where the flow sensor 14 is provided.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B explain the principle of operation of the flow sensor 5 .
  • FIG. 4A is a characteristic view showing how the output voltage changes when there is an ink flow
  • FIG. 4B is a characteristic view showing how the output voltage changes when there is no ink flow.
  • a characteristic A 1 shown by a one-dot chain line, indicates the change in output voltage of the flow sensor 5 made when the ink flow rate is 10 l/h
  • a characteristic A 2 shown by a solid line, indicates the change in output voltage of the flow sensor 5 made when the ink flow rate is 20 l/h.
  • the temperature of ink in the common liquid chamber 18 is set at 25° C.
  • a current is supplied to the flow sensor 5 , the flow sensor 5 generates heat, and ink in the passage 18 a is heated by the energy of heat.
  • a first pulse current having a pulse width of a size that does not generate a bubble in the ink is passed through the flow sensor 5 to heat the ink in the passage 18 a
  • the ink in the common liquid chamber 18 is made to flow in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 2 .
  • a second pulse current having a pulse width smaller than the pulse width of the first pulse current is passed through the flow sensor 5 , and the change in temperature of ink on the flow sensor 5 in the passage 18 a is detected.
  • the second pulse current has an intensity of such a size that ink on the flow sensor 5 in the passage 18 a is not heated by heat energy generated from the flow sensor 5 by the second pulse current.
  • the first pulse current and the second pulse current are passed through the flow sensor 5 in order, and the resistance of the flow sensor 5 is measured.
  • the output voltage of the flow sensor 5 varies in accordance with the temperature of ink near the flow sensor 5 .
  • the ink flow rate is high, much ink having a temperature lower than that of the heated ink flows into the passage 18 a , and therefore, the temperature of ink near the flow sensor 5 decreases.
  • the ink flow rate is low, the amount of exchanged heat is smaller than when the flow rate of refilled ink is high, and therefore, the temperature of ink near the flow sensor 5 does not decrease easily.
  • the characteristics A 1 and A 2 indicate that it becomes easier to decrease the temperature and the amount of change in the resistance per unit time increases as the flow rate increases.
  • a characteristic B 1 shown by a solid line
  • a characteristic B 2 shown by a one-dot chain line
  • a characteristic B 3 shown by a broken line indicate temperature characteristics of the flow sensor 5 when the ink flow rate is zero.
  • the characteristics B 1 , B 2 , and B 3 respectively correspond to cases in which the temperatures of ink serving as fluid are 25° C., 35° C., and 45° C.
  • the resistance of the flow sensor 5 increases as the temperature of ink before the first pulse current is applied thereto increases, and the output voltage of the flow sensor 5 also increases in accordance with the ink temperature.
  • the surroundings (that is, ink) of the flow sensor 5 are heated by passing a first pulse current through the flow sensor 5 . Then, a second pulse current having a pulse width smaller than the pulse width of the first pulse current is passed through the flow sensor 5 , and a change in the temperature of the ink on the flow sensor 5 in accordance with the ink flow rate is detected.
  • the change in the ink flow rate can be found from the output voltage (resistance) obtained when the second pulse current is applied.
  • FIG. 5 shows a driving circuit of an ink-flow detector used in the inkjet recording head according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the driving circuit shown in FIG. 5 includes a detecting circuit for detecting an ink flow with a detecting element 17 , and a control circuit for controlling the driving of an electrothermal transducer 15 and controlling a detecting operation of the detecting circuit in connection with the driving of the electrothermal transducer 15 .
  • the electrothermal transducer 15 corresponds to the discharging heater 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • the detecting element 17 corresponds to the flow sensor 5 serving a heat-generating and temperature-measuring resistor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , or the flow sensor 14 serving as a heat-generating and temperature-measuring resistor shown in FIG. 3 .
  • the control circuit is provided in each discharging nozzle (discharge port).
  • the detecting circuit is a constant-current driving circuit, and includes a constant-current source 16 , a detecting element 17 , and a MOS transistor 11 .
  • the constant-current source 16 and the detecting element 17 are connected in series via the MOS transistor 11 .
  • One end of the detecting element 17 is connected to one terminal of the constant-current source 16 and to a line of a voltage VSS via the MOS transistor 11 .
  • the other end of the detecting element 17 is connected to the other terminal of the constant-current source 16 .
  • a comparator circuit 37 is connected to a line that connects the other end of the detecting element 17 and the other terminal of the constant-current source 16 .
  • the control circuit includes two AND circuits 36 a and 36 b .
  • the AND circuit 36 a receives a heater application signal HE, a block selection signal BLE, and recording data DATA, and ANDs these received data.
  • the AND circuit 36 b receives a block selection signal BLE, print data DATA, and a bias signal BIAS, and ANDs these received data.
  • the output of the AND circuit 36 a is supplied as a switch-element control signal to the MOS transistor 38 via an amplification circuit 39 .
  • the output of the AND circuit 36 b is supplied as a switch-element control signal to the MOS transistor 11 .
  • a one-bit selection period is designated by a block selection signal BLE. Since recording data DATA is set at a high level (corresponding to “1”) in the one-bit selection period, the output of the AND circuit 36 a is high while the block selection signal BLE is high. During the period when the output of the AND circuit 36 a is high, the MOS transistor 38 is turned on so as to supply a voltage to the electrothermal transducer 15 .
  • a switch-element control signal output from the AND circuit 36 b is high while a bias signal BIAS is high. During the period when the switch-element control signal is high, the MOS transistor 11 is turned on. When the MOS transistor 11 is on, a current is supplied from the constant-current source 16 to the detecting element 17 .
  • the current is supplied to the detecting element 17 in synchronization with the flow of ink due to heat energy from the electrothermal transducer 15 , and the change in ink flow is detected as a temperature change.
  • an output voltage V out is detected at both ends of the detecting element 17 in the detection circuit.
  • the MOS transistor 11 functions as a switch element.
  • the MOS transistor 11 is turned on in synchronization with the ink flow so as to heat ink on the detecting element 17 , and is then turned off.
  • the MOS transistor 11 is turned on again, and the temperature of the ink on the detecting element 17 is measured. In this case, switching is made between a state in which the detecting element 17 functions as a heat-generating resistor and a state in which the detecting element 17 functions as a temperature-measuring resistor, by changing the pulse driving time of the detecting element 17 .
  • FIGS. 6A to 6E explain the principle of operation of the ink-flow detector shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 6A is a waveform chart of the voltage applied to the electrothermal transducer 15 .
  • FIG. 6B shows the change in ink flow rate on the time axis when the direction from the common liquid chamber 18 to the discharge port 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a positive direction.
  • FIG. 6C is a waveform chart of the current applied to the detecting element 17 .
  • FIG. 6D shows the change in temperature on the time axis of ink on the detecting element 17 .
  • FIG. 6E is a waveform chart of the detected output voltage in accordance with the changes in ink flow rate and ink temperature shown in FIGS. 6B and 6D .
  • a pulse current supplied to the detecting element 17 includes a pulse that has a long pulse width P 1 and is high during a period between a time t 0 and a time t 1 , and a pulse that has a short pulse width P 2 ( ⁇ P 1 ) and that is high during a period between a time t 2 and a time t 3 .
  • the pulse having the pulse width P 1 and the pulse having the pulse width P 2 are supplied at a predetermined interval.
  • the period between the time t 0 and the time t 1 where the pulse current having the pulse width P 1 is applied is a heating period for heating ink near the detecting element 17 .
  • the period between the time t 2 and the time t 3 when the pulse current having the pulse width P 2 is applied is a detection time for detecting an ink flow by measuring the temperature of ink near the detecting element 17 .
  • FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic views explaining the behavior of ink exhibited in the passage during a discharging operation of the recording head in the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 7A shows the behavior of ink in the passage during normal discharging
  • FIG. 7B shows the behavior of ink in the passage in the case of defective discharging caused by covering the discharge port with extra ink.
  • the formed bubble dissipates.
  • the bulging front part of ink separates, travels through the air, and then lands on a recording medium. Further, the remaining part of the bulging ink is drawn back into the passage by a negative pressure generated by dissipation (see a time t C in FIG. 7A ).
  • the temperature of the ink changes in accordance with the ink flow rate, as shown in FIG. 6D . While the ink flow rate is high during normal discharging, it is low during defective discharging. When the flow rate of the ink flowing from the common liquid chamber 18 toward the discharge port 2 is high, the temperature of the ink on the flow sensor 5 decreases significantly. In contrast, when the flow rate of the ink flowing from the common liquid chamber 18 toward the discharge port 2 is low, the decrease in the temperature of the ink on the flow sensor 5 is smaller than when the ink flow rate is high.
  • the voltage output from the flow sensor 5 differs in accordance with the ink flow rate.
  • a solid line shows a voltage output from the flow sensor 5 during normal discharging
  • a broken line shows an output from the flow sensor 5 during defective discharging.
  • the voltage output from the flow sensor 5 differs between normal discharging and defective discharging. Therefore, by comparing the voltages V out output from both ends of the detecting element 17 with a threshold value V out,th for judgment about defective discharging in the period from the time t 2 to the time t 3 , it can be judged whether defective discharging has occurred in the recording head.
  • the threshold value V out,th be sufficiently large so as to avoid misjudgment due to a noise signal and be sufficiently small so as to allow judgment immediately after the occurrence of defective discharging.
  • the output voltage V out and the threshold value V out,th are compared by the comparator circuit 37 shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the result of the comparison performed by the comparator circuit 37 is supplied to the control unit that controls the recording head.
  • the control unit determines that ink discharging failure has occurred, and carries out a predetermined operation.
  • the predetermined operation includes, for example, a discharging recovery operation of operating the recording head for discharging recovery, an operation of protecting the recording head, and an operation of giving the user a warning.
  • threshold value V out,th for judgment about defective discharging is a fixed value in the first embodiment, it may be given by a high-dimensional function using the temperature in the passage as a variable.
  • a data table listing optimum threshold values V out,th set for the respective ink temperatures may be prepared so that an appropriate threshold value can be selected therefrom in accordance with the temperature of ink in the passage.
  • the optimum threshold values V out,th are set by the control unit.
  • a data table listing threshold values ranked in accordance with variations in the heat characteristic of the discharging heater may be prepared so that an appropriate threshold value can be selected therefrom in accordance with the rank.
  • the appropriate threshold value is selected by the control unit.
  • FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a defective-discharging detecting procedure according to the first embodiment. Defective discharging is detected by using a data table listing optimum threshold values V out,th .
  • Step S 10 the temperature of ink in the passage is detected with the flow sensor 5 (Step S 10 ).
  • a data table showing the relationship between the temperature and the output voltage (or resistance) when a constant current is passed through the flow sensor 5 is created beforehand. With reference to the data table, the temperature is obtained from the output voltage of the flow sensor 5 .
  • an optimum threshold value (threshold value V out,th ) corresponding to the detected ink temperature is selected (Step S 11 ).
  • Step S 12 a predetermined voltage is applied to the discharging heater 3 (Step S 12 ). Heat energy is thereby applied to the ink in the passage, and a bubble is generated. By growth and contraction of the bubble (bubble generation and dissipation), ink discharging and refilling are performed (Step S 13 ).
  • a first pulse current is supplied to the flow sensor 5 (Step S 14 ). Then, a second pulse current is supplied to the flow sensor 5 , an output voltage V out in this case is detected (Step S 15 ), and the ink heating operation with the flow sensor 5 is completed (Step S 16 ).
  • Step S 17 the output voltage V out obtained in Step S 15 and the threshold value V out,th selected in Step S 11 are compared.
  • Step S 18 it is determined that ink discharging failure has occurred.
  • Step S 19 it is determined that ink discharging is normal.
  • the flow of ink in the passage produced when ink is discharged is detected.
  • the ink flow is smaller when discharging failure occurs than when discharging is normal.
  • the throughput of the recording apparatus is higher than that of a recording apparatus having an optical defective-discharging detecting unit.
  • defective ink discharging is made during printing in the first embodiment, it may be made between successive printing operations on printing media. Alternatively, defective discharging may be automatically detected after a predetermined time.
  • An inkjet recording head has a basic configuration similar to that of the recording head of the first embodiment except in an operation of detecting defective discharging with a flow sensor.
  • the inkjet recording head of the second embodiment also includes an ink-flow detector (ink-flow detecting unit) similar to that shown in FIG. 5 .
  • FIGS. 9A to 9E explain the principle of operation of the ink-flow detector.
  • FIG. 9A is a waveform chart of the voltage applied to the electrothermal transducer 15 .
  • FIG. 9B shows the change in ink flow rate on the time axis when the direction from the common liquid chamber 18 to the discharge port 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a positive direction.
  • FIG. 9C is a waveform chart of the current applied to the detecting element 17 .
  • FIG. 9D shows the change in temperature on the time axis of ink on the detecting element 17 .
  • FIG. 9E is a waveform chart of the detected output voltage in accordance with the changes in ink flow rate and ink temperature shown in FIGS. 9B and 9D .
  • a pulse current supplied to the detecting element 17 includes a pulse that has a short pulse width P 3 and that is high during a period between a time t 4 and a time t 5 , and a pulse that has a long pulse width P 4 (>P 3 ) and that is high during a period between a time t 6 and a time t 7 .
  • the pulse having the pulse width P 3 and the pulse having the pulse width P 4 are supplied at a predetermined interval.
  • the period between the time t 4 and the time t 5 where the pulse current having the pulse width P 3 is applied is a detecting period for measuring the temperature of ink near the detecting element 17 .
  • the period between the time t 6 and the time t 7 when the pulse current having the pulse width P 4 is applied is a detection time for detecting the ink flow by measuring the change in resistance of the detecting element 17 while heating the ink near the detecting element 17 .
  • the ink flow rate differs between normal discharging and defective discharging.
  • the temperature of the ink on the detecting element 17 changes, as shown in FIG. 9D .
  • a solid line shows the change in temperature made when the ink flow rate is high
  • a dotted line shows the change in temperature made when the ink flow rate is low.
  • the ink flow rate When the ink flow rate is high, the amount of increase in temperature of the ink on the detecting element 17 is small. In contrast, when the ink flow rate is low, the ink on the detecting element 17 stays for a long time without flowing, and therefore, is continuously heated by the detecting element 17 . As a result, the amount of increase in the ink temperature is larger than when the ink flow rate is high. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9E , the output voltage from the detecting element 17 differs when the flow rate is high (solid line) and when the flow rate is low (dotted line) during the period from the time t 6 to the time t 7 .
  • the threshold value V out for judgment about defective discharging may be changed in accordance with the temperature of ink in the passage measured during the period from the time t 4 to the time t 5 .
  • the recording head according to the second embodiment provides advantages similar to those of the recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • a nozzle forming member 20 that defines a passage by being combined with a heater board (head substrate) is not formed of an organic material, but of silicon (Si).
  • a flow sensor 5 serving as an ink flow-rate detecting element is formed by a film deposition process similar to the process for a semiconductor.
  • Other structures are similar to those adopted in the first embodiment.
  • the flow sensor 5 may have a meandering shape in order to increase the resistance, or may have a square shape.
  • the inkjet recording head of the third embodiment also includes an ink-flow detector having a configuration similar to that shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the ink-flow detector operates in a manner similar to that adopted in the first embodiment.
  • the flow sensor 5 is provided apart from a discharging heater 3 in the third embodiment, it is not susceptible to heat generated by bubble generation. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately detect the ink flow.
  • FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the inkjet recording head of the fourth embodiment has a configuration similar to that adopted in the first embodiment except in the structure of a detecting element.
  • the detecting element includes flow sensors 21 and 23 (first and second resistors) and a heater 22 (heating element).
  • the flow sensor 21 , the heater 22 , and the flow sensor 23 are provided between a discharging heater 3 for generating a bubble in ink and a common liquid chamber 18 in a region below a passage 18 a .
  • the flow sensors 21 and 23 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the heater 22 .
  • the flow sensor 23 When ink flows in the direction of arrow Q in FIG. 11 , the flow sensor 23 is provided upstream from the ink flow, and the flow sensor 21 is provided downstream from the ink flow.
  • the heater 22 is interposed between the flow sensors 21 and 23 .
  • a temperature distribution in the direction of arrow Q is symmetrical with respect to the heater 22 when there is no ink flow.
  • ink in the passage 18 a moves in the direction of arrow Q
  • ink is supplied from the common liquid chamber 18 onto the upstream flow sensor 23 .
  • an upper portion of the flow sensor 23 is cooled.
  • heat conduction from the heater 22 to an upper portion of the downstream flow sensor 21 is promoted by the ink flow, and therefore, the temperature of the upper portion of the flow sensor 21 increases.
  • a temperature difference is formed between the flow sensors 21 and 23 .
  • an output voltage in accordance with the flow rate is obtained.
  • the ink flow rate can be detected.
  • FIGS. 12A to 12E explain the principle of operation of the detecting element.
  • FIG. 12A is a waveform chart of the voltage applied to the discharging heater 3 .
  • FIG. 12B shows the change in ink flow rate on the time axis when the direction from the common liquid chamber 18 to the discharge port 2 is a positive direction.
  • FIG. 12C is a waveform chart of the current applied to the heater 22 .
  • FIG. 12D is a waveform chart of the current applied to the flow sensors 21 and 23 .
  • FIG. 12E shows a detected output voltage on the time axis obtained by subtracting the output voltage of the flow sensor 23 from the output voltage of the flow sensor 21 .
  • the ink flow rate in normal discharging is different from that in defective discharging during a period between a time t 13 and a time t 14 .
  • the heater 22 is controlled at a high temperature that does not generate a bubble in the ink in synchronization with ink refilling, and a temperature difference between the flow sensors 21 and 23 is measured during the period.
  • a detected output voltage V out is calculated from a voltage difference formed by the temperature difference between the flow sensors 21 and 23 . By comparing the detected output voltage V out with a threshold value V out,th , judgment is made about defective discharging.
  • the conditions for distinguishing between normal discharging and defective discharging are similar to those adopted in the first embodiment.
  • the two flow sensors 21 and 23 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the heater 22 . This allows more accurate and more stable detection of the flow rate.
  • the recording head of the fourth embodiment also provides advantages similar to those of the recording head of the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of an inkjet recording head according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
  • the inkjet recording head of the fifth embodiment is a piezo recording head, and includes a nozzle plate 28 having a plurality of discharge ports 24 , a vibrating plate 29 having piezoelectric elements provided corresponding to the discharge ports 24 , and a liquid-chamber capacity control portion 25 for controlling the vibrating plate 29 .
  • the piezoelectric elements are discharging-energy generating elements that generate energy for discharging ink from the discharge ports 24 , and can adjust the capacity of a liquid chamber communicating with the discharge ports 24 .
  • the nozzle plate 28 is provided with a base 27 including flow sensors 26 serving as detecting elements.
  • a base 27 including flow sensors 26 serving as detecting elements.
  • flow sensors 26 By coupling the nozzle plate 28 having the base 27 to a substrate having the vibrating plate 29 , a plurality of passages are formed. Each passage communicates with the liquid chamber.
  • the flow sensors 26 are formed as film-shaped sensors by the same film deposition process as that for the base 27 .
  • the inkjet recording head of the fifth embodiment also includes a defective-discharging detecting unit (not shown) that detects defective ink discharging of the discharge ports 24 with the flow sensors 26 provided corresponding to the discharge ports 24 .
  • the defective-discharging detecting unit detects the flow of ink by measuring the change in resistance of the flow sensor 26 while heating ink near the flow sensor 26 by the application of a voltage.
  • inkjet recording head of the fifth embodiment a large amount of ink is refilled in response to the amount of discharged ink in the case of normal discharging.
  • the ink flow is smaller than in normal discharging. Therefore, ink near the flow sensor 26 is not heated easily. Accordingly, judgment can be made about defective discharging of the recording head by detecting the temperature difference of ink near the flow sensor due to the difference in ink flow rate between normal discharging and defective discharging and comparing the voltage corresponding to the detected temperature difference with a threshold value for judgment about defective discharging. This judgment is performed in a procedure similar to that adopted in the first embodiment.
  • the recording head of the fifth embodiment also provides advantages similar to those of the recording head of the first embodiment.
  • the present invention is applied to the recording head used in a serial printer in the above-described embodiments, it is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention is also applicable to a so-called full-multi type recording head used in a line printer in which discharge ports are arranged in line over the entire width of a recording medium.
  • this recording head is long because multiple discharging heaters are arranged, the present invention can be effectively and easily applied thereto.
  • the detecting element (flow sensor 21 , heater 22 , and flow sensor 23 ) used in the fourth embodiment can be applied to the detecting elements in the other embodiments.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
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Effective date: 20080903

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION