Printing components and methods of operating printing components

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a printing component and a method of operating a printing component. A printing component includes a plurality of data pads, a clock pad for receiving an intermittent clock signal, and a plurality of actuator groups, each actuator group corresponding to a different liquid type and to a different one of the data pads. Each actuator group includes a plurality of configuration functions, a fluid actuator array, and a memory element array including a first portion corresponding to the plurality of configuration functions and a second portion corresponding to the fluid actuator array. Each time the intermittent clock signal occurs on the clock pad, the memory element array is used to serially load a segment of data bits from the corresponding data pad, including loading a first portion of the data bits into the first portion memory elements and loading a second portion of the data bits into the second portion memory elements.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on February 6, 2019, with application number 201980090800.8 and invention title "Printing component having a memory array using intermittent clock signals". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates in whole to printing systems. Background Technology

[0003] Some printing components may include arrays of nozzles and / or pumps, each nozzle and / or pump including a fluid chamber and a fluid actuator, wherein the fluid actuator can be actuated to cause displacement of fluid within the chamber. Some example fluid dies may be printheads, where the fluid may correspond to ink or printing agent. Printing components include printheads for 2D and 3D printing systems and / or other high-precision fluid dispensing systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a printing component is provided, comprising: a plurality of data pads; a clock pad for receiving intermittent clock signals; a pattern pad for receiving pattern signals; a plurality of actuator groups, each actuator group corresponding to a different liquid type and corresponding to a different data pad among the plurality of data pads, each actuator group including: a plurality of configuration functions for configuring operating settings of the corresponding actuator group, the plurality of configuration functions having a corresponding configuration memory; a fluid actuator array having a corresponding actuator memory; and a memory element array including a first portion corresponding to the plurality of configuration functions and a second portion corresponding to the fluid actuator array. The memory element array is configured to: receive the intermittent clock signal from the clock pad, and each time the intermittent clock signal occurs on the clock pad: serially load a first portion of data bits in a data bit segment into the first portion of the memory element array via a corresponding data pad, and shift the first portion of the data bits from the first portion of the memory element array to the configuration memory based on the state of the mode signal; serially load a second portion of data bits in the data bit segment into the second portion of the memory element array via the corresponding data pad, and shift the second portion of the data bits from the second portion of the memory element array to the actuator memory based on the state of the mode signal.

[0005] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a printing component is provided, comprising: a plurality of data pads, each data pad for receiving data segments, each data segment including a plurality of segment bits, the plurality of segment bits including an excitation pulse group, the excitation pulse group including a plurality of excitation pulse group bits, the number of segment bits being at least equal to the number of excitation pulse group bits; at least one clock pad for receiving an intermittent clock signal; a mode pad for receiving a mode signal; and a plurality of fluid actuator arrays, each fluid actuator array corresponding to a different liquid type and corresponding to a different data pad among the plurality of data pads, each fluid actuator array having: a corresponding configuration function group, each configuration function in the configuration function group being used to configure the operation settings of the corresponding fluid actuator array, the configuration function group having a corresponding configuration memory; a corresponding actuator memory; and a corresponding memory element array. Each memory element array includes a first portion corresponding to the configuration function group and a second portion corresponding to the fluid actuator array. The memory element array is configured to: each time the intermittent clock signal occurs on the at least one clock pad: serially load the first portion of the segment of the data segment into the first portion of the memory element array via the corresponding data pad, and shift the first portion of the segment from the first portion of the memory element array to the configuration memory based on the state of the mode signal; and serially load the second portion of the segment of the data segment into the second portion of the memory element array via the corresponding data pad, and shift the second portion of the segment from the second portion of the memory element array to the actuator memory based on the state of the mode signal; and store at least the excitation pulse group bit.

[0006] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a printing component is provided, comprising: a data pad for receiving data segments, each data segment including a plurality of segment bits, the segment bits including a group of excitation pulses including a plurality of excitation pulse bits; a clock pad for receiving an intermittent clock signal; a mode pad for receiving a mode signal; and a fluid die, the fluid die comprising: an array of memory elements of one of the plurality of actuator groups, or an array of memory elements corresponding to one of the plurality of fluid actuator arrays.

[0007] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of operating a printing component is provided, comprising: receiving data segments on a plurality of data pads, each data segment including a plurality of segment bits, the plurality of segment bits including a group of excitation pulses, the group of excitation pulses including a plurality of group of excitation pulse bits, the number of segments being at least equal to the number of group of excitation pulse bits; receiving an intermittent clock signal on a clock pad; receiving a pattern signal on a pattern pad; and arranging a plurality of fluid actuators to form the plurality of fluid actuator arrays. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 It shows a block diagram and schematic diagram of a printed part according to an example.

[0009] Figure 2 It shows a block diagram and schematic diagram of a printed part according to an example.

[0010] Figure 3 It is a block diagram and schematic diagram that roughly shows the arrangement of primitives according to an example.

[0011] Figure 4A This is a schematic diagram roughly illustrating a data segment based on an example.

[0012] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram roughly illustrating a data segment based on an example.

[0013] Figure 5 It shows a block diagram and schematic diagram of a printed part according to an example.

[0014] Figure 6 It shows a block diagram and schematic diagram of a printed part according to an example.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a fluid jetting system.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating and printing a component according to an example.

[0017] In all the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote similar but not necessarily identical elements. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some parts may be exaggerated to show the examples more clearly. Furthermore, the drawings provide examples and / or embodiments consistent with the specification; however, this specification is not limited to the examples and / or embodiments provided in the drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and specific examples in which this disclosure may be implemented are illustrated by way of illustration. It should be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description should not be considered limiting, and the scope of protection of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that, unless otherwise specifically indicated, features of the various examples described herein may be combined in part or in whole with each other.

[0019] Examples of fluid dies may include fluid actuators. Fluid actuators may include resistance thermometer-based actuators (e.g., for arousing or recirculating fluid), piezoelectric membrane-based actuators, electrostatic membrane actuators, mechanical / impact-driven membrane actuators, magneto-strictive drive actuators, or other suitable devices capable of causing fluid displacement in response to electro-actuation. The fluid dies described herein may include multiple fluid actuators, which may be referred to as a fluid actuator array. An actuation event can refer to a single or simultaneous actuation of the fluid actuators of the fluid dies to cause fluid displacement. An example of an actuation event is a fluid arousal event, in which fluid is ejected through a nozzle.

[0020] In an example fluid spool, the fluid actuator array can be arranged as a set of fluid actuators, each of which can be referred to as a “primitive” or “excitation primitive.” The number of fluid actuators in a primitive can be referred to as the size of the primitive. In some examples, the fluid actuator set of each primitive can be addressed using the same set of actuation addresses, where each fluid actuator of the primitive corresponds to a different actuation address in the actuation address set, wherein the address is transmitted via an address bus. In some examples, when the actuation address corresponding to the fluid actuator is present on the address bus, the fluid actuator of the primitive will be actuated (e.g., excited) in response to an excitation signal (also called an excitation pulse) based on actuation data (sometimes also called nozzle data or primitive data) corresponding to the primitive.

[0021] In some cases, the electrical and fluid operation constraints of the fluid spool can limit which fluid actuators of each primitive can be actuated simultaneously for a given actuation event. The primitive facilitates addressing and subsequent actuation of a subset of fluid actuators that, for a given actuation event, can be actuated simultaneously to satisfy these operation constraints.

[0022] To illustrate by way of example, if a fluid die comprises four primitives, each primitive comprising eight fluid actuators (each fluid actuator corresponding to a different address in the address set 0 through 7), and where electrical and fluid constraints limit actuation to one fluid actuator per primitive, then for a given actuation event, a total of four fluid actuators (one per primitive) can be actuated simultaneously. For example, for a first actuation event, the corresponding fluid actuator in each primitive corresponding to address "0" can be actuated. For a second actuation event, the corresponding fluid actuator in each primitive corresponding to address "5" can be actuated. It will be understood that such examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and the fluid die conceived herein may comprise more or fewer fluid actuators per primitive, and each die may comprise more or fewer primitives.

[0023] Example fluidic dies may include fluid cavities, orifices, and / or other features that may be defined by surfaces fabricated in a substrate of the fluidic die by etching, microfabrication (e.g., photolithography), micromachining processes, or other suitable processes or combinations thereof. Some example substrates may include silicon-based substrates, glass-based substrates, gallium arsenide-based substrates, and / or other such suitable types of substrates for microfabrication devices and structures. As used herein, a fluid cavity may include an ejection cavity in fluid communication with a nozzle orifice from which fluid may be ejected, and a fluid channel through which fluid may be transported. In some examples, the fluid channel may be a microfluidic channel, wherein, as used herein, a microfluidic channel may correspond to a channel of sufficiently small size (e.g., nanometer scale, micrometer scale, millimeter scale, etc.) to facilitate the transport of small volumes of fluid (e.g., picoliter scale, nanoliter scale, microliter scale, milliliter scale, etc.).

[0024] In some examples, the fluid actuator can be arranged as part of a nozzle, wherein, in addition to the fluid actuator, the nozzle also includes an injection chamber in fluid communication with a nozzle orifice. The fluid actuator is positioned relative to the fluid chamber such that actuation of the fluid actuator causes displacement of the fluid within the fluid chamber, which can cause fluid droplets to be ejected from the fluid chamber through the nozzle orifice. Therefore, a fluid actuator arranged as part of a nozzle can sometimes be referred to as a fluid ejector or an injection actuator.

[0025] In some examples, the fluid actuator can be arranged as part of a pump, wherein the pump includes a fluid channel in addition to the fluid actuator. The fluid actuator is positioned relative to the fluid channel such that actuation of the fluid actuator generates fluid displacement within the fluid channel (e.g., a microfluidic channel) to deliver fluid within a fluid die (e.g., between a fluid supply and a nozzle). Examples of fluid displacement / pumping within a die are sometimes referred to as micro-recirculation. Fluid actuators arranged to deliver fluid within a fluid channel can sometimes be referred to as non-jetting or micro-recirculation actuators. In an example nozzle, the fluid actuator may include a thermal actuator, wherein actuation of the fluid actuator (sometimes referred to as “excitation”) heats the fluid to form a gaseous driven bubble within a fluid cavity, which can cause fluid droplets to be ejected from the nozzle orifice. As described above, fluid actuators can be arranged in an array (e.g., a column), wherein the actuators can be implemented as fluid ejectors and / or pumps, selective operation of the fluid ejectors causing fluid droplet ejection, and selective operation of the pump causing fluid displacement within a fluid die. In some examples, the fluid actuator array can be arranged as primitives.

[0026] Some printheads receive data in the form of packets (sometimes called excitation pulse groups or excitation pulse group packets), each packet comprising a header portion and a body portion. In some examples, the header portion includes, for instance, a sequence of start bits and configuration data for on-die functions, such as address bits for the address driver and excitation pulse data for excitation pulse selection. The body portion of the packet includes primitive data such as actuator data and / or memory data, which selects which nozzles will be actuated (or excited) corresponding to the addresses represented by the address bits in the primitive, and in some examples, data indicating memory elements to be written to the memory array associated with the primitive. Excitation pulse group packets end with a stop bit indicating the end of the packet.

[0027] This printhead includes a data parser that uses a free-running clock and operates as the printhead receives incoming data bits to capture them in order to detect a start pattern and thus identify the beginning of a burst of data packets. Upon detecting a start pattern, the data parser circuitry collects the received bits as they are received and directs them to the appropriate primitives. In some examples, to determine when a data packet is complete, the data parser circuitry counts the total number of bits received. When the correct number of bits for a data packet has been received, the data parser circuitry stops distributing bits and returns to monitoring incoming data to identify the start sequence of another data packet.

[0028] In other functions, data resolver circuitry typically includes multiple counters, for example, to indicate the specific set of primitives to which data should be directed (e.g., the printhead may include multiple columns of primitives), and to count the total number of bits received. Data resolver circuitry consumes a relatively large amount of silicon area on the printhead die, increasing the die's size and cost. Furthermore, data resolver circuitry is inflexible and requires each set of excitation pulses for the printhead to have a fixed length. Additionally, a free-running clock can potentially introduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems to the die.

[0029] As will be described in more detail herein, this disclosure provides a printed component having an array of memory elements to serially receive data bit fields, including configuration data and primitive data, each time an intermittent clock signal is received on a clock pad, eliminating the need for data parser circuitry and a free-running clock. This arrangement reduces silicon area requirements, eliminates EMI introduced by the free-running clock signal, and allows arrays of fluid actuators with different primitive sizes (e.g., different fluid dies) to share a clock and excitation signal, which reduces interconnect complexity.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a block diagram and schematic representation of a printing component 30 according to an example of the present disclosure, which includes a plurality of data pads 32, shown as data pads 32-1 to 32-N, a clock pad 34 for receiving intermittent clock signals 35, and a plurality of actuator groups 36, shown as actuator groups 36-1 to 36-N, wherein each actuator group 36 corresponds to a different data pad among the data pads 32. In one example, each of the actuator groups 36 corresponds to a different fluid type. For example, in one case, the printing component 30 includes a printhead, each actuator group of which corresponds to a different type of ink (e.g., black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). In one example, each actuator group 36 of the printing component 30 is implemented in a different corresponding fluid die, wherein in one case, each corresponding fluid die corresponds to a different liquid type.

[0031] According to one example, each actuator group 36 includes configuration function groups 38 (shown as 38-1 to 38-N), fluid actuator arrays 40 (shown as arrays 40-1 to 40-N), and memory element arrays 50 (shown as arrays 50-1 to 50-N). In one case, each configuration function group 38 includes multiple configuration functions (shown as configuration functions CF(1) to CF(m)) for configuring the operational settings of the corresponding actuator group 36. In the example, configuration functions CF(1) to CF(m) may include functions such as address drivers, excitation pulse configuration functions, and sensor configuration functions (e.g., thermal sensors).

[0032] In one example, each fluid actuator array 40 includes multiple fluid actuators (FAs), wherein array 40-1 of actuator group 36-1 includes fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(x), array 40-2 of actuator group 36-2 includes fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(y), and array 40-N of actuator group 40-N includes fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(z). In one case, each fluid actuator array 40 may have the same number of fluid actuators (x=y=z). In other cases, fluid actuator array 40 may have different numbers of fluid actuators (x≠y≠z).

[0033] Each actuator group 36 memory element array 50 includes a plurality of memory elements 51, wherein each array 50 has a first portion of memory elements 52 (shown as first portions 52-1 to 52-N) corresponding to a respective configuration function group 38, and a second portion 54 (shown as second portions 56-1 to 56-N) corresponding to a portion of memory elements in a respective fluid actuator array 40. In some examples, each actuator group 36 memory element array 50 may have the same number of memory elements 51. In other cases, the memory element arrays 50 of different actuator groups 36 may have different numbers of memory elements 51.

[0034] Each actuator group 36 has a memory element array 50 connected to a corresponding data pad 32 via a corresponding communication path 52, wherein memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-N are connected to data pads 32-1 to 32-N via communication paths 52-1 to 52-n, respectively. In one example, as... Figure 1 As shown in the arrangement, each memory element array 50 of each fluid actuator group 36 is connected to and receives the intermittent clock signal 35 via a clock pad 34.

[0035] In one example, each time an intermittent clock 35 is present on the clock pad 34 of the print unit 30, the memory element array 50 of each actuator group 36 serially loads a data segment 33 (shown as data segments 33-1 to 33-n) comprising a series of data bits from the corresponding data pad 32, wherein the data bits are loaded into the first portion of the memory element 52 and the second portion of the memory element 54 corresponding to the configuration function group 38 and the fluid actuator array 40, respectively. In one example, each time an intermittent clock signal 35 is present on the clock pad 34, the memory element array 50 of each actuator group 36 serially loads a series of data bits of the current data segment 33, which replaces the previously loaded data bits of the aforementioned data segment 33.

[0036] In one example, as will be described in more detail below (for example, see...), Figure 3 Each data segment 33 comprises a series of data bits including a set of excitation pulses similar to those described above. However, since the printing unit 30 loads each data segment 33 only when an intermittent clock signal 35 is present on the clock pad 34 (i.e., without a free-running clock), the set of excitation pulses for the data segment 33 does not include a start bit sequence. Because the data segment 33 does not include a start bit sequence and is only loaded into the memory element array 50 when an intermittent clock signal 35 is present on the clock pad 34, according to this disclosure, the printing unit 30 and the actuator group 36 do not include data parser circuitry, thereby saving circuit area and reducing cost.

[0037] Furthermore, as described in more detail below, the use of an intermittent clock signal 35 and a memory element array 50 to serially receive data enables the printing unit 30 to support multiple fluid actuator arrays 40, which have different numbers of fluid actuators and use excitation pulse groups of various lengths, operating simultaneously on the same intermittent clock signal 35 and sharing a common excitation signal (as described in more detail below). Additionally, the use of an intermittent clock signal eliminates potential EMI problems associated with a free-running clock.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a block diagram and schematic representation of a printed component 30 according to an example of this disclosure. In one example, actuator assemblies 36-1 to 36-n are implemented as fluid dies 37-1 to 37-n. Figure 2 For example, the fluid actuators (FAs) in each fluid actuator array 40-1 to 40-n of actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n are arranged to form multiple primitives, wherein the fluid actuator array 40-1 of actuator group 36-1 is arranged to form primitives P(1) to P(x), the fluid actuator array 40-2 of actuator group 36-2 is arranged to form primitives P(1) to P(y), and the fluid actuator array 40-n of actuator group 36-n is arranged to form primitives P(1) to P(z), wherein each primitive includes multiple fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(p). In one case, each fluid actuator array 40 may have the same number of primitives (x=y=z). In other cases, the fluid actuator array 40 may have different numbers of primitives (x≠y≠z). Although the primitives of each actuator group 36 are shown as having the same number p of fluid actuators, in other examples the number of fluid actuators in each primitive can vary among actuator groups 36.

[0039] In one example, as shown, the memory element array 50 of each actuator group 37 includes a series or string of memory elements 51 implemented as a serial-to-parallel data converter, wherein a first portion 54 of the memory elements 51 corresponds to the configuration function group 38, and a second portion of the memory elements 56 corresponds to the fluid actuator array 40, wherein each memory element 51 in the second portion 56 corresponds to a different primitive among primitives P(1) to P(x). In one example, the memory element array 50 of each actuator group 36 includes sequential logic circuitry (e.g., an array of flip-flops, an array of latches, etc.). In one example, the sequential logic circuitry is adapted to function as a serial-input, parallel-output shift register.

[0040] According to one example, the configuration function group 38 of each actuator group 36 includes address drivers 60, shown as address drivers 60-1 to 60-n, which drive addresses to corresponding address buses 62 (shown as address buses 62-1 to 62-n) based on address bits in corresponding memory elements 51 in the first portion 54 of the memory element array 50, wherein the memory buses 62 transmit the driven addresses to the fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(p) of each of the corresponding primitives. In one example, the printing component 30 includes an excitation pad 70 for receiving an excitation signal 72 transmitted via a communication path 74 to each of the actuator groups 36.

[0041] The following is for reference. Figure 3 and Figures 4A-4B describe Figure 2 An example of the operation of the printing part 30. Figure 3 It roughly shows the use of Figure 2 A block diagram and schematic diagram of the basic element arrangement of actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n. For illustrative purposes, refer to... Figure 2 The actuator assembly 36-1 is described by the basic unit P(1). Figure 2 The block diagram and schematic diagram.

[0042] In the example, Figure 3 Each fluid actuator shown as a thermal resistor can be connected between a power supply, VPP, and a reference potential (e.g., ground) via a corresponding controllable switch (e.g., shown by FET 80).

[0043] According to one example, each primitive including primitive P(1) includes an AND gate 82 that receives, at a first input, primitive data (e.g., actuator data) for primitive P(1) stored in a local memory element 84, wherein the local memory element receives such primitive data from a corresponding memory element 51 in the memory element array 50-1 of the actuator group 36-1. At a second input, the AND gate 82 receives an excitation signal 72 via a communication path 70. In one example, the excitation signal 72 is delayed by a delay element 86, wherein each primitive has a different delay, such that the excitation of the fluid actuators between primitives P(1) and P(x) is not simultaneous.

[0044] In one example, each fluid actuator has a corresponding address decoder 88 that receives an address driven by address driver 60-1 on address bus 62-1, and an AND gate 90 for controlling FET 80. AND gate 90 receives the output of the corresponding address decoder 88 at a first input and the output of AND gate 82 at a second input. It should be noted that the address decoder 88 and AND gate 90 are reused in each fluid actuator, while AND gate 82, memory element 84, and delay element 86 are reused in each element.

[0045] Figure 4A This is a block diagram roughly illustrating example data segments 33-1 to 33-n received by the printing unit 30 via data pads 32-1 to 32-n. As shown, each data segment 33 includes an excitation pulse group 100, which includes a first portion 102 (sometimes referred to as configuration data) of data bits corresponding to configuration function group 38, and a second portion 104 (sometimes referred to as primitive data) of data bits corresponding to fluid actuator array 40. For example, with respect to data segment 33-1, the data bits in the first portion 102-1 of data bits correspond to configuration function group 38-1 and include address data bits for address driver 60-1, and the data bits in the second portion 104-1 of data bits correspond to fluid actuator array 40-1, wherein each data bit in the second portion 104-1 corresponds to a different primitive among primitives P(1) to P(x). For each data segment 33, the number of data bits in the excitation pulse group 32 (i.e., the number of excitation pulse bits) is equal to the sum of the number of bits in the first portion 102 of the data bits (i.e., the configuration data bits) and the number of bits in the second portion 104 of the data bits (i.e., the basic data bits). In some examples, the number of memory elements in the memory element array is at least equal to the number of excitation pulse group bits of the data segment received from the data pad.

[0046] according to Figure 4AFor example, the second portion 104-1 of the excitation pulse group 100-1 of data segment 33-1 is shown to have more primary data bits than the second portion 104-2 of the excitation pulse group 100-2 of data segment 33-2, and the second portion 104-2 of the excitation pulse group 100-2 of data segment 33-2 is shown to have more primary data bits than the second portion 104-n of the excitation pulse group 100-n of data segment 33-n. This means that, referring to Figure 2 The fluid actuator array 40-1 of fluid die 36-1 has a greater number of primitives than the fluid actuator array 40-2 of fluid die 36-2, and the fluid actuator array 40-2 of fluid die 36-2 has a greater number of primitives than the fluid actuator array 40-n of fluid die 36-n (i.e., x>y>z). Therefore, the excitation pulse group 100-1 has more excitation pulse group bits than the excitation pulse group 100-2, and the excitation pulse group 100-2 has more excitation pulse group bits than the excitation pulse group 100-n. This means that data segment 33-1 is longer than data segment 33-2 (i.e., has more data segment bits), and data segment 33-2 is longer than data segment 33-n (i.e., has more data segment bits).

[0047] refer to Figure 2 When an intermittent clock signal 35 is received at clock pad 34 (e.g., at the first rising edge of intermittent clock signal 35), data segments 33-1 to 33-n are serially loaded into memory elements 51 of the corresponding memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n of actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n. However, when the same intermittent clock signal 35 is shared (e.g., ... Figure 2 As shown in the example implementation, due to their different lengths, the number of cycles of the intermittent clock signal 35 required to load the excitation pulse group 100-1 of data segment 33-1 into the memory element array 50-1 is greater than the number of clock cycles required to load the excitation pulse groups 100-2 and 100-n of data segments 33-2 and 33-n into their respective memory element arrays 50-2 and 50-n. Therefore, the data bits of the excitation pulse groups 100-2 and 100-n of data segments 33-2 and 33-n will begin to be shifted out of memory element arrays 50-2 and 50-n, respectively, before the data bits of the excitation pulse group 100-1 of data segment 33-1 have been serially loaded into memory element array 50-1. Therefore, if not considered, incorrect data will fill the memory elements of arrays 50-2 and 50-n when the loading of data segment 33-1 into array 50-1 is completed.

[0048] refer to Figure 4BAccording to one example, when sharing an intermittent clock signal such as clock signal 35, in order to make each data segment in data segments 33-1 to 33-n equal in length (i.e., the same number of bits) so that they can be loaded into their respective memory arrays 50-1 to 50-n using the same number of clock cycles of intermittent clock signal 35, data segments 33-1 and 33-n each include preset padding bit segments 110-1 and 110-N, in addition to excitation pulse groups 100-2 and 100-n. According to one example, as shown in the figure, since data segment 33-1 is the longest data segment (i.e., has the most segment bits), padding bit segment 110-1 of data segment 33-1 does not contain padding bits, while padding bit segments 110-2 and 110-n each have multiple padding bits to make data segments 33-2 and 33-n the same length as data segment 33-1, respectively (where padding bit segment 33-n has more padding bits than padding bit segment 33-2). according to Figure 4B As illustrated in the example diagram, generally, padding bit segment 110 is added to each of the shorter data segments 33 from data segments 33-1 to 33-n so that all data segments 33-1 to 33-n have the same length as the longest data segment 33 among the data segments 33-1 to 33-n.

[0049] By pre-filling bit segments 110-1 to 110-n into data segments 33-1 and 33-n, when actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n share an intermittent clock signal, when data segments 33-1 to 33-n are serially loaded into their respective memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n, the last data bits of each data segment 33-1 to 33-n will be loaded in the same clock cycle, so that each excitation pulse group is correctly loaded into its respective memory arrays 50-1 to 50-n, wherein the first portion 102 and the second portion 104 of the data bits are respectively loaded into the first portion 54 and the second portion 56 of the corresponding memory element array 50.

[0050] Filling bit segment 110 is pre-set to data segment 33 with at least a shorter length so that all data segments 33 have the same length, so that clock signal 35 can be shared by such fluid actuator array 36 even when multiple fluid actuator arrays 36 have different numbers of fluid actuators (FAs), which reduces and simplifies circuitry, such as the circuitry of printed component 30.

[0051] In some examples, each of the data segments 33-1 to 33-n includes a padding segment 100 comprising a plurality of padding bits, wherein the number of padding bits in each padding segment 100-1 to 100-n is such that each of the data segments 33-1 to 33-n has the same length. In one example, each padding bit has a logic "high" value (e.g., "1") or a logic "low" value ("0"), wherein the padding bits in each padding segment 100 have a pattern of logic "low" and logic "high" values ​​to mitigate electromagnetic effects on the print unit 30 when the data segments 33-1 to 33-n are serially loaded into the memory arrays 50-1 to 50-n, respectively.

[0052] Continuing with the illustrative example above, refer to... Figures 2-3 In one case, when the final data bit of each data segment in data segments 33-1 to 33-n is loaded into the corresponding memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n (e.g., the final data bit of each second part of the second part 104-1 to 104-n of the excitation pulse group 100-1 to 100-n is loaded into the corresponding memory element 51 corresponding to its primitive P(1), the intermittent clock signal 35 is removed from the clock pad 34, thereby terminating the serial loading of data into the memory arrays 50-1 to 50-n.

[0053] According to one example, upon completion of loading excitation pulse groups 100-1 to 100-n into their respective memory arrays 50-1 to 50-n, an excitation signal 72 (e.g., an excitation pulse signal) is received on the excitation pad 70. (Reference) Figure 2 and Figure 3 In one example, in response to receiving an excitation pulse signal 72, data stored in each memory element 51 of each memory element array 50-1 to 50-n is shifted in parallel to the corresponding memory element in the corresponding fluid actuator array 40-1 to 40-n or configuration function group 38-1 to 38-n. For example, in Figure 3 In response to the excitation signal 72, the primitive data stored in the memory element 51 is shifted to the corresponding memory element 84 in the primitive P(1).

[0054] In one example, after the excitation pulse group data is shifted in parallel out of the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n, the excitation pulse group data is processed by the corresponding configuration function groups 38-1 to 38-n and primitives (P(1) to P(x), P(1) to P(y), and P(1) to P(z)) to operate the selected fluid actuator (FA) to circulate fluid or eject fluid droplets. For example, refer to Figure 3In one example, if the primitive data stored in memory element 84 has a logic high (e.g., "1") and an excitation pulse signal 72 is present on communication path 74, the output of AND gate 82 is set to logic "high". If the address represented by address "0" is driven on address bus 62-1 by address encoder 60-1 in response to the address bit received from the corresponding memory element in the second set of memory elements 54-1, the output of address decoder "0" 88 is set to logic "high". As the outputs of AND gate 82 and address decoder "0" 88 are each set to logic "high", the output of AND gate 90 is also set to logic "high", thereby "turning on" the corresponding FET 80 to excite the fluid actuator FA(0) to move the fluid (e.g., eject fluid droplets).

[0055] In one example, when the excitation pulse group data is shifted out of the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n in response to the excitation signal 72, the intermittent clock signal 35 is received again via the clock pad 34, and the subsequent data segments 33-1 to 33-n are serially loaded into the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n.

[0056] Figure 5 It roughly shows Figure 2 The block diagram and schematic diagram of the printed component 30, wherein, in addition to the fluid actuators FA(1) to FA(p), the primitives P(1) to P(x), P(1) to P(y) and P(1) to P(z) of the actuator groups 40-1 to 40-n each include an array of memory elements, shown as M(1) to M(x), M(1) to M(y) and M(1) to M(z), respectively. In one example, as shown, each configuration group in configuration groups 38-1 to 38-n may include one or more memories CM, each memory corresponding to a different configuration function in the configuration function.

[0057] In one example Figure 5 The printing component 30 further includes a pattern pad 78 for receiving the pattern signal 79. In one example, based on the state of the pattern signal 79, when an excitation signal 72 is emitted on the excitation pad 70, data stored in the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n is shifted to the primitive memory arrays of their respective primitives (e.g., M(1) to M(x), M(1) to M(y) and M(1) to M(z)) and shifted to the configuration memory CM of the respective configuration function groups 38-1 to 38-n, instead of shifting the data to the fluid actuator and configuration function.

[0058] Figure 6 It roughly shows Figure 5A block diagram and schematic diagram of the printing component 30, wherein, instead of fluid dies 37-1 to 37-n sharing a common intermittent clock signal 35, each fluid die 37-1 to 37-n receives its own corresponding intermittent clock signal (shown as clock signals 35-1 to 35-n) via corresponding clock pads 34-1 to 34-n. (See reference...) Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B Since the intermittent clock signals 35-1 to 35-n can be controlled separately (e.g., can start and / or stop at different times), data segments 33-1 to 33-n do not need to have the same length, and therefore padding bit segment 110 may not be required. (Reference) Figure 6 When the excitation pulse groups 100-1 to 100-n of data segments 33-1 to 33-n are loaded into the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n of the corresponding fluid cores 37-1 to 37-n, an excitation signal 72 can be issued to initiate the operation of the excitation pulse group data (as described above).

[0059] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a fluid jetting system 200. The fluid jetting system 200 includes fluid jetting components such as a printhead assembly 204 and fluid supply components such as an ink supply assembly 216. In the example shown, the fluid jetting system 200 also includes a service station assembly 208, a carriage assembly 222, a print media transport assembly 226, and an electronic controller 230. Although the following description provides examples of systems and components for fluid handling with respect to ink, the disclosed systems and components are also suitable for handling fluids other than ink.

[0060] Printhead assembly 204 includes at least one printhead 212 that ejects ink droplets or fluid droplets through a plurality of orifices or nozzles 214, wherein in one example, printhead 212 may be implemented as a print part 30 having a fluid actuator (FA) in actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n implemented as nozzles 214, such as as previously described herein. Figure 2As described. In one example, droplets are directed toward a medium such as printing medium 232 for printing onto printing medium 232. In one example, printing medium 232 includes any type of suitable sheet material, such as paper, cardstock, transparent film, polyester film, fabric, etc. In another example, printing medium 232 includes a medium for three-dimensional (3D) printing (such as a powder bed) or a medium for bioprinting and / or drug discovery testing (such as a reservoir or container). In one example, nozzles 214 are arranged in at least one column or array such that, as the printhead assembly 204 and printing medium 232 move relative to each other, ink ejection in an appropriate sequence from the nozzles 214 causes characters, symbols, and / or other graphics or images to be printed onto printing medium 232.

[0061] The ink supply assembly 216 supplies ink to the printhead assembly 204 and includes a reservoir 218 for storing ink. Thus, in one example, ink flows from the reservoir 218 to the printhead assembly 204. In one example, the printhead assembly 204 and the ink supply assembly 216 are housed together in an inkjet or fluid jet printer cartridge or pen. In another example, the ink supply assembly 216 is separate from the printhead assembly 204 and supplies ink to the printhead assembly 204 via an interface connection 220 (such as a supply tube and / or valve).

[0062] The carriage assembly 222 positions the printhead assembly 204 relative to the print media transport assembly 226, and the print media transport assembly 226 positions the print media 232 relative to the printhead assembly 204. Therefore, the printing area 234 is defined as adjacent to the nozzle 214 in the region between the printhead assembly 204 and the print media 232. In one example, the printhead assembly 204 is a scanning type printhead assembly, such that the carriage assembly 222 moves the printhead assembly 204 relative to the print media transport assembly 226. In another example, the printhead assembly 204 is a non-scanning type printhead assembly, such that the carriage assembly 222 holds the printhead assembly 204 at a predetermined position relative to the print media transport assembly 226.

[0063] Service station assembly 208 provides ejection, wiping, capping, and / or priming of printhead assembly 204 to maintain the functionality of printhead assembly 204, and more specifically, nozzle 214. For example, service station assembly 208 may include a rubber blade or wiper that periodically passes over printhead assembly 204 to wipe and clean excess ink from nozzle 214. Additionally, service station assembly 208 may include a cap covering printhead assembly 204 to protect nozzle 214 from drying out during periods of non-use. Furthermore, service station assembly 208 may include a spittoon into which printhead assembly 204 ejects ink during ejection to ensure reservoir 218 maintains appropriate levels of pressure and flow, and to ensure nozzle 214 does not clog or leak. Functionality of service station assembly 208 may include relative movement between service station assembly 208 and printhead assembly 204.

[0064] The electronic controller 230 communicates with the printhead assembly 204 via communication path 206, with the service station assembly 208 via communication path 210, with the carriage assembly 222 via communication path 224, and with the print media transport assembly 226 via communication path 228. In one example, when the printhead assembly 204 is mounted in the carriage assembly 222, the electronic controller 230 and the printhead assembly 204 can communicate via the carriage assembly 222 via communication path 202. The electronic controller 230 can also communicate with the ink supply assembly 216, enabling the detection of new (or used) ink supplies in one embodiment.

[0065] The electronic controller 230 receives data 236 from a host system such as a computer and may include a memory for temporarily storing the data 236. The data 236 may be transmitted to the fluid jet system 200 along electronic, infrared, optical, or other information transmission paths. The data 236 represents, for example, a document and / or file to be printed. Therefore, the data 236 forms a print job for the fluid jet system 200 and includes at least one print job command and / or command parameters.

[0066] In one example, electronic controller 230 provides control over printhead assembly 204, including timing control of ink droplets ejected from nozzle 214. Therefore, electronic controller 230 defines the pattern of the ejected ink droplets, which form characters, symbols, and / or other graphics or images on print medium 232. The timing control and thus the pattern of the ejected ink droplets are determined by print job commands and / or command parameters. In one example, the logic and drive circuitry forming part of electronic controller 230 is located on printhead assembly 204. In another example, the logic and drive circuitry forming part of electronic controller 230 is located outside printhead assembly 204. In yet another example, the logic and drive circuitry forming part of electronic controller 230 is located outside printhead assembly 204. In one example, data segments 33-1 to 33-n, intermittent clock signal 35, excitation signal 72, and mode signal 79 may be provided by electronic controller 230 to print unit 30, wherein electronic controller 230 may be located remotely from print unit 30.

[0067] Figure 8 This illustrates an example of the operation of a printing component (e.g., according to this disclosure). Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A and Figure 4B A flowchart of method 300 for printing part 30). At 302, method 300 includes receiving data segments on multiple data pads, for example, such as Figure 2 As shown, data segments 33-1 to 33-n are received on data pads 32-1 to 32-n, wherein each data segment includes multiple segments, each segment including an excitation pulse group, each excitation pulse group including multiple excitation pulse group bits, wherein the number of segments is at least equal to the number of excitation pulse group bits, for example as... Figure 4A As shown, each data segment 33-1 to 33-n includes excitation pulse groups 100-1 to 100-n respectively.

[0068] At 304, method 300 includes receiving an intermittent clock signal on the clock pad, for example, Figure 2 The printing component 30 receives an intermittent clock signal 35 on the clock pad 34. At 306, method 300 includes arranging a plurality of fluid actuators to form a plurality of fluid actuator arrays, each fluid actuator array having a corresponding array of memory elements corresponding to a different data pad in the data pad, for example, Figure 2 The actuator groups 36-1 to 36-n each include fluid actuator arrays 40-1 to 40-n, wherein the fluid actuator arrays 40-1 to 40-n each have corresponding memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n, wherein the memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-n each have corresponding data pads 32-1 to 32-n.

[0069] At 308, method 100 includes serially loading data segments from the corresponding data pad into each memory element array each time an intermittent clock signal occurs on the clock pad, to store at least the excitation pulse group bits, for example, data segments 33-1 to 33-n (e.g., ... Figure 4A and Figure 4B (As shown) are loaded into memory element arrays 50-1 to 50-1 respectively, so as to store at least excitation pulse segments 100-1 to 100-n respectively.

[0070] While specific examples have been shown and described herein, various alternatives and / or equivalent embodiments may be implemented in place of the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific examples discussed herein. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printing component, comprising: Data pad; A clock pad for receiving intermittent clock signals; A mode pad, which is used to receive mode signals; An actuator group, corresponding to the liquid type and the data pad, comprising: Multiple configuration functions are provided for configuring the operation settings of the actuator group, and each configuration function has a corresponding configuration memory. A fluid actuator array, the fluid actuator array having a corresponding actuator memory; and A memory element array, comprising a first portion corresponding to the plurality of configuration functions and a second portion corresponding to the fluid actuator array, the memory element array being configured to: Receive the intermittent clock signal from the clock pad, and Each time the intermittent clock signal appears on the clock pad: The first portion of the data bits in the data bit segment is serially loaded into the first portion of the memory element array via the data pad, and the first portion of the data bits is shifted from the first portion of the memory element array to the configuration memory based on the state of the mode signal. The second portion of the data bits in the data segment is serially loaded into the second portion of the memory element array via the data pad, and the second portion of the data bits is shifted from the second portion of the memory element array to the actuator memory based on the state of the mode signal.

2. The printing component of claim 1, wherein the memory element array comprises a string of memory elements adapted to function as a serial-to-parallel data converter.

3. The printing component according to claim 2, wherein the memory element array includes sequential logic circuitry.

4. The printing component according to claim 3, wherein the sequential logic circuit is adapted to function as a serial input, parallel output shift register.

5. The printing component according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising a fluid die, wherein the actuator assembly is implemented in the fluid die corresponding to the type of the liquid.

6. The printing component according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the fluid actuators in the fluid actuator array are arranged to form a plurality of primitives, each primitive having the same number of fluid actuators, and each memory element in the second portion of the memory element array corresponds to a different primitive among the primitives.

7. The printing component according to claim 6, wherein each primitive has a primitive memory.

8. The printing component of claim 7, wherein, depending on the state of the pattern signal on the pattern pad, the data value stored in each memory element in the second portion of the memory element array corresponds to the primitive memory.

9. The printing component according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising an excitation pad for receiving an excitation signal, each memory element in the memory element array being configured to latch data values ​​stored therein to a corresponding memory element in a corresponding fluid actuator array or configuration function group in response to an excitation signal on the excitation pad.

10. The printing component according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the printing component includes a print head.

11. The printing component according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the plurality of configuration functions include address driver function, excitation pulse control function, and sensor configuration function.

12. A printing component, comprising: A data pad for receiving data segments, each data segment including multiple segment bits, the multiple segment bits including an excitation pulse group, the excitation pulse group including multiple excitation pulse group bits; A clock pad for receiving intermittent clock signals; A mode pad, which is used to receive mode signals; as well as Fluid core, the fluid core comprising: The memory element array of the actuator group of the printing component according to any one of claims 1-11.

13. The printing component of claim 12, wherein the memory element array comprises a string of memory elements adapted to function as a serial-to-parallel data converter.

14. The printing component of claim 13, wherein the memory element array includes sequential logic circuitry.

15. The printing component of claim 14, wherein the sequential logic circuit is adapted to function as a serial input, parallel output shift register.

16. A method of operating a printing component, comprising: Data segments are received on the data pad, each data segment including multiple segment bits, the multiple segment bits including excitation pulse groups, the excitation pulse groups including multiple excitation pulse group bits, and the number of segment bits being at least equal to the number of excitation pulse group bits; Receive intermittent clock signals on the clock pad; Receive mode signals on the mode pad; as well as A plurality of fluid actuators are arranged to form the fluid actuator array of the printed component according to any one of claims 1-11.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the number of memory elements in the memory element array is at least equal to the number of excitation pulse group bits of the data segment received from the data pad.

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