Liquid ejection device and printhead

Abstract

The present application provides a liquid ejection device and a print head. When first temperature information detected by a first ejection module includes information of a temperature within a first temperature range and first ejection data is a first value, a first switching circuit of the first ejection module outputs a first drive voltage signal including a first drive waveform. When the first temperature information includes information of a temperature within a second temperature range and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs a first drive voltage signal including a second drive waveform. When second temperature information detected by a second ejection module includes information of a temperature within the first temperature range and second ejection data is the first value, a second switching circuit of the second ejection module outputs a second drive voltage signal including the first drive waveform. When the second temperature information includes information of a temperature within the second temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs a second drive voltage signal including the second drive waveform.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a liquid ejection device and a print head. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid, a configuration is known in which a print head having a piezoelectric element, a pressure chamber, and a nozzle that communicates with the pressure chamber is provided. Further, the print head changes the volume of the pressure chamber by driving the piezoelectric element, and thereby ejects liquid supplied to the pressure chamber from the nozzle. In such a liquid ejection device, a configuration is known in which driving control of the piezoelectric element is performed in accordance with the temperature of ink stored in the print head, and thereby ejection control that is appropriate for the temperature of the ink is realized. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a liquid ejection device and a liquid ejection head (print head) that can reduce the temperature difference between the detected temperature and the temperature in the pressure chamber, and improve the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber, by having a temperature detection portion that detects the temperature of the pressure chamber in which ink is stored, inside the print head having a piezoelectric element, a pressure chamber, and a nozzle.

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-124599

[0004] However, in Patent Literature 1, although a configuration is disclosed in which the temperature of the pressure chamber obtained by the temperature detection portion can be detected with high accuracy, there is no description of an optimal control method for the liquid ejection device and the print head that uses the detected temperature, and thus there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the ejection accuracy of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejection device and the print head. SUMMARY

[0005] A liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application includes a drive signal output circuit that outputs a drive signal including a plurality of drive waveforms, and a print head that receives the drive signal and ejects a liquid. The print head includes a first ejection module that includes a first piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body, the first piezoelectric body being located between the first electrode and the second electrode in a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric element being driven by a first drive voltage signal based on the drive signal, a first vibration plate located on one side of the first piezoelectric element in the first stacking direction and deformed by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction and provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volumes change according to the deformation of the first vibration plate, a first switching circuit that outputs the first drive voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a first ejection information signal including first ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first wiring substrate provided with the first switching circuit, and a first temperature detection unit located on the other side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction, electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detecting first temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the first pressure chambers. The print head also includes a second ejection module that includes a second piezoelectric element including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body being located between the third electrode and the fourth electrode in a second stacking direction in which the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body are stacked, the second piezoelectric element being driven by a second drive voltage signal based on the drive signal, a second vibration plate located on one side of the second piezoelectric element in the second stacking direction and deformed by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the second vibration plate in the second stacking direction and provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volumes change according to the deformation of the second vibration plate, a second switching circuit that outputs the second drive voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a second ejection information signal including second ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second wiring substrate provided with the second switching circuit, and a second temperature detection unit located on the other side of the second vibration plate in the second stacking direction, electrically connected to the second wiring substrate, and detecting second temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the second pressure chambers.and a second temperature detection section located on the other side of the second stacking direction with respect to the second vibrating plate, electrically connected with the second wiring substrate, and detecting second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber, wherein when the first temperature information includes information of a temperature within a first temperature range and the first ejection data is a first value for ejecting a first amount of liquid droplets, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a first drive waveform, when the first temperature information includes information of a temperature within a second temperature range and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a second drive waveform different from the first drive waveform, when the second temperature information includes information of a temperature within the first temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the first drive waveform, and when the second temperature information includes information of a temperature within the second temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the second drive waveform.

[0006] A printing head according to an embodiment of the present application receives a drive signal including a plurality of drive waveforms output from a drive signal output circuit and ejects a liquid. The printing head includes a first ejection module including: a first piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body, the first piezoelectric body being located between the first electrode and the second electrode in a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric element being driven by a first drive voltage signal based on the drive signal; a first vibration plate located on one side of the first piezoelectric element in the first stacking direction and deformed by driving of the first piezoelectric element; a first pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction and provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volumes change according to deformation of the first vibration plate; a first switching circuit that outputs the first drive voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a first ejection information signal including first ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the first piezoelectric element; a first wiring substrate provided with the first switching circuit; and a first temperature detection portion located on the other side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction, electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detecting first temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the first pressure chamber. The printing head also includes a second ejection module including: a second piezoelectric element including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body being located between the third electrode and the fourth electrode in a second stacking direction in which the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body are stacked, the second piezoelectric element being driven by a second drive voltage signal based on the drive signal; a second vibration plate located on one side of the second piezoelectric element in the second stacking direction and deformed by driving of the second piezoelectric element; a second pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the second vibration plate in the second stacking direction and provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volumes change according to deformation of the second vibration plate; a second switching circuit that outputs the second drive voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a second ejection information signal including second ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the second piezoelectric element; a second wiring substrate provided with the second switching circuit; and a second temperature detection portion located on the other side of the second vibration plate in the second stacking direction, electrically connected to the second wiring substrate, and detecting second temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the second pressure chamber.and a second temperature detection section located on the other side of the second stacking direction with respect to the second vibrating plate, electrically connected to the second wiring substrate, and detecting second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber, wherein when the first temperature information includes information of a temperature within a first temperature range and the first ejection data is a first value for ejecting a first amount of liquid droplets, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a first drive waveform, when the first temperature information includes information of a temperature within a second temperature range and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a second drive waveform different from the first drive waveform, when the second temperature information includes information of a temperature within the first temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the first drive waveform, and when the second temperature information includes information of a temperature within the second temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the second drive waveform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus.

[0008] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus.

[0009] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drive circuit.

[0010] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drive signal selection circuit.

[0011] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between a latch signal, a conversion signal, a clock signal, and a head control signal and a selection signal.

[0012] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a head control signal.

[0013] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the decoding content of a decoder.

[0014] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a selection circuit.

[0015] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of an ejection module.

[0016] Figure 10 is a plan view of an ejection module.

[0017] Figure 11 It means Figure 10 The cross-sectional view of section IV-IV shown.

[0018] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0019] Figure 13 It means Figure 10 The sectional view of section VI-VI shown.

[0020] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal COM output by the drive circuit.

[0021] Figure 15 This diagram illustrates an example of the head control signal of the input drive signal selection circuit when the ink is at normal temperature.

[0022] Figure 16 This is a diagram representing a specific example of the decoder's decoded content.

[0023] Figure 17 It means that it was supplied Figure 16 The diagram shown represents the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit.

[0024] Figure 18 This diagram illustrates an example of the head control signal of the input drive signal selection circuit when the ink is at a high temperature.

[0025] Figure 19 This is a diagram representing a specific example of the decoder's decoded content.

[0026] Figure 20 It means that it was supplied Figure 19 The diagram shown represents the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit.

[0027] Figure 21 This diagram illustrates an example of the head control signal of the input drive signal selection circuit when the ink is at a low temperature.

[0028] Figure 22 This is a diagram representing a specific example of the decoder's decoded content.

[0029] Figure 23 It means that it was supplied Figure 22 The diagram shown represents the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit.

[0030] Figure 24 This diagram illustrates an example of the timing for acquiring temperature information signals and the timing for correcting the drive signal VOUT.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 1 liquid ejection apparatus, 2 ink container, 10 control mechanism, 20 print head, 21 carriage, 22 ejection module, 24 temperature detection circuit, 26 temperature information output circuit, 30 movement mechanism, 31 carriage motor, 32 endless belt, 40 conveyance mechanism, 41 conveyance motor, 42 conveyance roller, 50 drive circuit, 52 reference voltage signal output circuit, 60 piezoelectric element, 90 linear encoder, 100 control circuit, 200 drive signal selection circuit, 210 selection control circuit, 222a first register, 222b second register, 224a first latch circuit, 224b second latch circuit, 226 decoder, 230 selection circuit, 232 inverter, 234 transmission gate, 260 control logic circuit, 261 register group for SP, 262 selection control signal generation section, 270 selection signal output section, 310 pressure chamber substrate, 311 partition wall, 312 pressure chamber, 312a, 312b end portion, 315 communication plate, 316 nozzle communication passage, 317 first manifold portion, 318 second manifold portion, 319 supply communication passage, 320 nozzle plate, 321 nozzle, 330 protection substrate, 331 holding portion, 332 through-hole, 340 housing member, 341 accommodation portion, 342 third manifold portion, 343 connection port, 344 supply port, 345 plastic substrate, 346 sealing film, 347 fixed substrate, 348 opening portion, 349 plastic portion, 350 vibration plate, 351 elastic film, 352 insulator film, 360 electrode, 360a, 360b end portion, 370 piezoelectric body, 370a, 370b end portion, 371 groove portion, 380 electrode, 380a, 380b end portion, 385 wiring portion, 391 independent lead electrode, 392 common lead electrode, 392a, 392b extension portion, 393, 393a, 393b measurement lead electrode, 400 manifold, 401 resistance wiring, 410 active portion, 415 inactive portion, 420 wiring substrate, 421, 500 integrated circuit, 510 modulation circuit, 512, 513 adder, 514 comparator, 515 inverter, 516 integral attenuator, 517 attenuator, 520 gate drive circuit, 521, 522 gate driver, 550 amplification circuit, 560 demodulation circuit, 570, 572 feedback circuit, C1-C5, C7 capacitor, D1 diode, L1 inductor, M1, M2 transistor, P medium, R1-R6 resistor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following describes preferred embodiments of the present application using the drawings. The drawings used are for ease of explanation. Furthermore, the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present application described in the claims. In addition, not all of the components described below are essential components of the present application.

[0034] 1. Structure of liquid ejection apparatus

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus 1. The liquid ejection apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is described taking as an example an inkjet printer of a serial printing type that forms an image on a medium P by moving a carriage 21 on which a print head 20 that ejects ink as an example of a liquid is mounted, back and forth along a scanning axis, and ejecting ink toward the medium P that is transported in a transport direction. As the medium P used in such a liquid ejection apparatus 1, any printing object such as a printing sheet, a resin film, cloth, or the like can be used.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1 , the liquid ejection apparatus 1 is provided with an ink container 2, a control mechanism 10, the carriage 21, a moving mechanism 30, and a transport mechanism 40.

[0037] The ink container 2 stores therein a plurality of inks that are ejected toward the medium P. As the colors of the inks stored in the ink container 2, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, gray, and the like can be given. As the ink container 2 that stores inks, an ink cartridge, a bag-shaped ink bag formed of a flexible film, an ink tank that can be replenished with ink, and the like can be used.

[0038] The control mechanism 10 includes a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and controls each element of the liquid ejection apparatus 1 including the print head 20.

[0039] The carriage 21 mounts the print head 20, and is fixed to a loop-shaped belt 32 included in the moving mechanism 30. In addition, the ink container 2 can also be mounted to the carriage 21.

[0040] The print head 20 mounted to the carriage 21 is inputted with a control signal Ctrl-H for controlling the print head 20 and a drive signal COM for driving the print head 20, which are outputted by the control mechanism 10. In addition, the ink stored in the ink container 2 is supplied to the print head 20 via a pipe not shown. Furthermore, the print head 20 ejects the ink supplied from the ink container 2 in accordance with the inputted control signal Ctrl-H and drive signal COM.

[0041] The moving mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor 31 and a ring belt 32. The carriage motor 31 operates in accordance with a control signal Ctrl-C input from the control mechanism 10. The ring belt 32 rotates in conjunction with the operation of the carriage motor 31. Thus, the carriage 21 fixed to the ring belt 32 moves back and forth on the scan axis. That is, the carriage 21 moves back and forth along the scan axis intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium P.

[0042] The conveyance mechanism 40 includes a conveyance motor 41 and a conveyance roller 42. The conveyance motor 41 operates in accordance with a control signal Ctrl-T input from the control mechanism 10. The conveyance roller 42 rotates in conjunction with the operation of the conveyance motor 41. In conjunction with the rotation of the conveyance roller 42, the medium P is conveyed toward the conveyance direction.

[0043] As described above, the liquid discharge device 1 causes the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 21 to discharge ink toward the medium P in conjunction with the conveyance of the medium P by the conveyance mechanism 40 and the back-and-forth movement of the carriage 21 by the moving mechanism 30, thereby causing the ink to land on an arbitrary position on the surface of the medium P and forming a desired image on the medium P.

[0044] 2. Functional Configuration of Liquid Discharge Device

[0045] Next, the functional configuration of the liquid discharge device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a view showing the functional configuration of the liquid discharge device 1. As shown in Figure 2 , the liquid discharge device 1 is provided with a control mechanism 10, a print head 20, a carriage motor 31, a conveyance motor 41, and a linear encoder 90.

[0046] The control mechanism 10 has a drive circuit 50, a reference voltage signal output circuit 52, and a control circuit 100. The control circuit 100 includes, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU or an FPGA and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory. An image information signal including image data and the like is input to the control circuit 100 from an external device such as a host computer communicably connected to the liquid discharge device 1. The control circuit 100 generates various signals for controlling the liquid discharge device 1 in accordance with the input image information signal, and outputs them to the corresponding configurations.

[0047] In the specific example, in addition to the above-described image information signal, a detection signal based on the scan position of the carriage 21 is input to the control circuit 100 from the linear encoder 90. The control circuit 100 grasps the scan position of the print head 20 mounted on the carriage 21 in accordance with the input detection signal. Also, the control circuit 100 generates and outputs various signals corresponding to the scan position of the print head 20 and the image information signal.

[0048] In detail, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal Ctrl-C for controlling the movement of the print head 20 along the scanning axis in accordance with the scanning position of the print head 20, and outputs it to the carriage motor 31. As a result, the carriage motor 31 operates to control the movement of the print head 20 along the scanning axis and the scanning position mounted on the carriage 21. In addition, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal Ctrl-T for controlling the conveyance of the medium P, and outputs it to the conveyance motor 41. As a result, the conveyance motor 41 operates to control the movement of the medium P along the conveyance direction. Further, the control signal Ctrl-C can be input to the carriage motor 31 after being signal-converted via a drive circuit not shown, and the control signal Ctrl-T can be input to the conveyance motor 41 after being signal-converted via a drive circuit not shown.

[0049] In addition, the control circuit 100 generates a head control signal DI1 to DIn, a conversion signal CH, a latch signal LAT, and a clock signal SCK as a control signal Ctrl-H for controlling the print head 20 in accordance with an image information signal input from an external device and the scanning position of the print head 20 input from the linear encoder 90, and outputs them to the print head 20.

[0050] In addition, the control circuit 100 generates a temperature acquisition request signal TD for acquiring the temperature of the print head 20 at a prescribed timing, and outputs it to the print head 20. In addition, a temperature information signal TI output from the print head 20 in accordance with the temperature acquisition request signal TD is input to the control circuit 100. That is, the temperature information signal TI containing the temperature information of the print head 20 is input to the control circuit 100. The control circuit 100 corrects the control signals Ctrl-H, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-T in accordance with the input temperature information signal TI. In addition, the control circuit 100 can stop the operation of the liquid ejection device 1 when it is determined from the input temperature information signal TI that the temperature of the print head 20 is abnormal.

[0051] Further, the control circuit 100 outputs a basic drive signal dO as a digital signal to the drive circuit 50. The drive circuit 50 generates a drive signal COM by performing D-stage amplification on the converted analog signal after performing digital / analog signal conversion on the input basic drive signal dO, and outputs it to the print head 20. That is, the basic drive signal dO output from the control circuit 100 is a digital signal that specifies the waveform of the drive signal COM. Here, the basic drive signal dO can be an analog signal as long as it specifies the waveform of the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50. Further, details of the drive circuit 50 will be described later.

[0052] The reference voltage signal output circuit 52 generates a reference voltage signal VBS and outputs it to the print head 20. The reference voltage signal VBS output by the reference voltage signal output circuit 52 is a signal that is the potential of the drive reference of the piezoelectric element 60 described later, and for example, can be a signal that is constantly at ground potential or a direct current voltage signal that is constantly at a potential of 5.5 V or 6 V or the like. The reference voltage signal output circuit 52 can also be integrally configured with the drive circuit 50.

[0053] The print head 20 has the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n and the temperature information output circuit 26. In addition, the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n each include a drive signal selection circuit 200, the temperature detection circuit 24, and piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m].

[0054] The head control signal DI1, the shift signal CH, the latch signal LAT, and the clock signal SCK input to the control circuit 100 in the ejection module 22-1, the drive signal COM output by the drive circuit 50, and the reference voltage signal VBS output by the reference voltage signal output circuit 52.

[0055] The clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the shift signal CH, the head control signal DI1, and the drive signal COM input to the ejection module 22-1 are input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. The drive signal selection circuit 200 generates the drive signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m] by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the drive signal COM in accordance with the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the shift signal CH, and the head control signal DI1 that are input. Furthermore, the drive signal selection circuit 200 independently inputs the generated drive signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m] to one end of the corresponding piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m]. In addition, the other end of the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] is commonly input with the reference voltage signal VBS. Furthermore, the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] are driven by the potential difference between the drive signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m] that are independently input to one end and the reference voltage signal VBS that is commonly input to the other end. An amount of ink corresponding to the drive of each of the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] is ejected from the ejection module 22-1.

[0056] Here, in the print head 20 of the present embodiment, the drive signal VOUT[1] corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[1] and the drive signal VOUT[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[m] are described. That is, the drive signal VOUT[1] generated by the drive signal selection circuit 200 is described as being input to one end of the piezoelectric element 60[1], and the drive signal VOUT[m] generated by the drive signal selection circuit 200 is described as being input to one end of the piezoelectric element 60[m].

[0057] In addition, the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] are the same in configuration, and are sometimes referred to as piezoelectric elements 60 without distinction. At this time, the description is made with the driving signal VOUT supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 as the driving signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m]. That is, the description is sometimes made with the piezoelectric element 60 driven in accordance with the potential difference between the driving signal VOUT supplied to one end and the reference voltage signal VBS supplied to the other end.

[0058] In addition, the temperature detection circuit 24 provided in the ejection module 22-1 detects the temperature of the ejection module 22-1. Further, the temperature detection circuit 24 outputs the detected temperature of the ejection module 22-1 as temperature detection information TH1 to the temperature information output circuit 26.

[0059] Here, the ejection modules 22-2 to 22-n differ only in the signals input thereto and the signals output therefrom, and have the same configuration as and perform the same operation as the ejection module 22-1.

[0060] That is, the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the shift signal CH, the head control signal DIn, the driving signal COM, and the reference voltage signal VBS are input to the ejection module 22-n. Further, the driving signal selection circuit 200 provided in the ejection module 22-n generates the driving signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m] by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the driving signal COM in accordance with the input clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the shift signal CH, and the head control signal DIn. The driving signals VOUT[1] to VOUT[m] generated by the driving signal selection circuit 200 provided in the ejection module 22-n are input to one end of the corresponding piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] provided in the ejection module 22-n. The other end of the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] provided in the ejection module 22-n is commonly input with the reference voltage signal VBS. As a result, the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] provided in the ejection module 22-n are driven, and the amount of ink corresponding to the driving of the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] is ejected from the ejection module 22-n. Further, the temperature detection circuit 24 provided in the ejection module 22-n detects the temperature of the ejection module 22-n, and outputs the detected temperature as temperature detection information THn.

[0061] Here, in the following description, the ejection module 22-1 to the ejection module 22-n are sometimes referred to as the ejection module 22 without distinguishing them. At this time, the description is made so as to input the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, the head control signal DI, the drive signal COM, and the reference voltage signal VBS to the ejection module 22, and output the temperature detection information TH indicating the temperature of the ejection module 22.

[0062] The temperature information output circuit 26 inputs the temperature detection information TH1 to THn output from the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n and the temperature acquisition request signal TD output from the control circuit 100. The temperature information output circuit 26 amplifies and holds the temperature detection information TH1 to THn, respectively. Further, the temperature information output circuit 26 outputs, as the temperature information signal TI, the corresponding signal among the signals amplified with respect to the held temperature detection information TH1 to THn, in accordance with the temperature acquisition request signal TD input from the control circuit 100. Such a temperature information output circuit 26 includes an amplification circuit that amplifies the temperature detection information TH1 to THn, a processor such as a microcomputer that receives the input temperature acquisition request signal TD and outputs the temperature information signal TI amplified with respect to the temperature detection information TH1 to THn, and a storage circuit that amplifies and holds the temperature detection information TH1 to THn, respectively.

[0063] Further, the temperature information output circuit 26 can hold the temperature detection information TH1 to THn output from the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n, respectively, and amplify and output, as the temperature information signal TI, the signals amplified with respect to the held temperature detection information TH1 to THn, in accordance with the temperature acquisition request signal TD input from the control circuit 100.

[0064] As described above, the liquid ejection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with the drive circuit 50 that outputs the drive signal COM and the print head 20 that receives the drive signal COM and ejects ink. In other words, the print head 20 receives the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50 and ejects ink.

[0065] 3. Configuration of Drive Circuit

[0066] Next, the configuration and operation of the drive circuit 50 that outputs the drive signal COM will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram indicating the configuration of the drive circuit 50. The drive circuit 50 has an integrated circuit 500, an amplification circuit 550, a demodulation circuit 560, feedback circuits 570, 572, and other electronic components.

[0067] The integrated circuit 500 has a plurality of terminals including a terminal In, a terminal Bst, a terminal Hdr, a terminal Sw, a terminal Gvd, a terminal Ldr, a terminal Gnd, a terminal Vfb, and a terminal Ifb. The integrated circuit 500 is electrically connected to an unillustrated substrate provided externally via the plurality of terminals. In addition, the integrated circuit 500 includes a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 511, a modulation circuit 510, and a gate drive circuit 520.

[0068] The DAC 511 converts an input digital signal base drive signal dO into an analog signal base drive signal aO and outputs to the modulation circuit 510. The base drive signal aO output from the DAC 511 is a signal equivalent to the amplified drive signal COM. That is, the base drive signal aO is a signal equivalent to a target signal before amplification to become the drive signal COM, and the base drive signals dO and aO are signals that define the signal waveform of the drive signal COM.

[0069] The modulation circuit 510 generates a modulation signal Ms that modulates the base drive signal aO and outputs to the gate drive circuit 520. The modulation circuit 510 includes adders 512, 513, a comparator 514, an inverter 515, an integral attenuator 516, and an attenuator 517.

[0070] The integral attenuator 516 attenuates and integrates the drive signal COM input via the terminal Vfb and outputs to the -side input terminal of the adder 512. The +side input terminal of the adder 512 is input with the base drive signal aO. Also, the adder 512 outputs to the +side input terminal of the adder 513 a voltage obtained by subtracting the voltage of the -side input terminal from the voltage of the +side input terminal.

[0071] The attenuator 517 outputs to the -side input terminal of the adder 513 a voltage obtained by attenuating the high frequency component of the drive signal COM input via the terminal Ifb. The voltage output from the adder 512 is input to the +side input terminal of the adder 513. Also, the adder 513 generates a voltage signal Os obtained by subtracting the voltage of the -side input terminal from the voltage of the +side input terminal and outputs to the comparator 514.

[0072] The comparator 514 outputs a modulation signal Ms that is pulse-modulated with respect to the voltage signal Os input from the adder 513. Specifically, the comparator 514 generates and outputs a modulation signal Ms that becomes an H level when the voltage value of the voltage signal Os input from the adder 513 rises to be equal to or higher than a prescribed threshold value Vthl and becomes an L level when the voltage value of the voltage signal Os falls to be lower than a prescribed threshold value Vth2. Here, the threshold values Vthl, Vth2 are set to be in a relationship of threshold value Vthl > threshold value Vth2.

[0073] The modulation signal Ms output from the comparator 514 is input to the gate driver 521 included in the gate drive circuit 520 and is also input to the gate driver 522 included in the gate drive circuit 520 via the inverter 515. That is, signals whose logic levels are in an exclusive relationship are input to the gate driver 521 and the gate driver 522. Here, the logic levels being in an exclusive relationship includes a case where the logic levels of the signals input to the gate driver 521 and the gate driver 522 do not become H levels at the same time. Therefore, the modulation circuit 510 can also include a timing control circuit for controlling the timing of the modulation signal Ms input to the gate driver 521 and the signal in which the logic level of the modulation signal Ms input to the gate driver 522 is inverted, instead of or in addition to the inverter 515.

[0074] The gate drive circuit 520 includes the gate driver 521 and the gate driver 522. The gate driver 521 generates an amplification control signal Hgd by performing level shifting on the modulation signal Ms output from the comparator 514 and outputs from a terminal Hdr.

[0075] Specifically, a voltage is supplied to the high side of the power supply voltage of the gate driver 521 via a terminal Bst and a voltage is supplied to the low side via a terminal Sw. The terminal Bst is connected to one end of a capacitor C5 and the cathode of a diode Dl for preventing reverse flow. The terminal Sw is connected to the other end of the capacitor C5. In addition, the anode of the diode Dl is connected to a terminal Gvd. Further, the terminal Gvd is supplied with a voltage signal Vm, which is a direct current voltage of, for example, 7.5 V output from a power supply circuit not shown. That is, the anode of the diode Dl is supplied with the voltage signal Vm. Therefore, the potential difference between the terminal Bst and the terminal Sw is approximately equal to the voltage value of the voltage signal Vm. As a result, the gate driver 521 generates the amplification control signal Hgd whose voltage value is larger than that of the terminal Sw by an amount corresponding to the voltage value of the voltage signal Vm in accordance with the input modulation signal Ms and outputs from the terminal Hdr.

[0076] The gate driver 522 operates at a lower potential side than the gate driver 521. The gate driver 522 generates an amplification control signal Lgd by performing a level shift on a signal in which the logic level of the modulation signal Ms output from the comparator 514 is inverted by the inverter 515, and outputs the amplification control signal Lgd from the terminal Ldr.

[0077] Specifically, the high side of the power supply voltage of the gate driver 522 is supplied with the voltage signal Vm, and the low side is supplied with the ground potential via the terminal Gnd. Also, the gate driver 522 outputs the amplification control signal Lgd in which the voltage value of the signal in which the logic level of the input modulation signal Ms is inverted is made larger than the terminal Gnd by an amount corresponding to the voltage value of the voltage signal Vm. Here, the ground potential refers to the reference potential of the drive circuit 50, and is, for example, 0 V.

[0078] The amplification circuit 550 includes a transistor Ml and a transistor M2.

[0079] The transistor Ml is a surface-mounted FET (Field Effect Transistor), and the drain of the transistor Ml is supplied with the voltage signal VHV as an amplification power supply voltage of the amplification circuit 550, which is, for example, a direct current voltage of 42 V. In addition, the gate of the transistor Ml is electrically connected to one end of a resistor Rl, and the other end of the resistor Rl is electrically connected to the terminal Hdr of the integrated circuit 500. That is, the gate of the transistor Ml is input with the amplification control signal Hgd. In addition, the source of the transistor Ml is electrically connected to the terminal Sw of the integrated circuit 500.

[0080] The transistor M2 is a surface-mounted FET, and the drain of the transistor M2 is electrically connected to the terminal Sw of the integrated circuit 500. That is, the drain of the transistor M2 and the source of the transistor Ml are electrically connected to each other. The gate of the transistor M2 is electrically connected to one end of a resistor R2, and the other end of the resistor R2 is electrically connected to the terminal Ldr of the integrated circuit 500. That is, the gate of the transistor M2 is input with the amplification control signal Lgd. In addition, the source of the transistor M2 is supplied with the ground potential.

[0081] Further, when the drain and the source of the transistor Ml are controlled to be non-conductive and the drain and the source of the transistor M2 are controlled to be conductive, the potential of the node connected to the terminal Sw becomes the ground potential. Therefore, the terminal Bst is supplied with the potential of the voltage signal Vm. On the other hand, when the drain and the source of the transistor Ml are controlled to be conductive and the drain and the source of the transistor M2 are controlled to be non-conductive, the potential of the node connected to the terminal Sw becomes the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV. Therefore, the terminal Bst is supplied with the voltage of the sum of the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV and the voltage value of the voltage signal Vm. That is, the gate driver 521 that drives the transistor Ml generates the amplification control signal Hgd whose L level is the ground potential and whose H level is the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV by changing the potential of the terminal Sw to the ground potential or the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV as a floating power supply according to the operation of the transistor Ml and the transistor M2, and outputs to the gate of the transistor Ml.

[0082] On the other hand, the gate driver 522 that drives the transistor M2 generates the amplification control signal Lgd whose L level is the ground potential and whose H level is the voltage value of the voltage signal Vm regardless of the operation of the transistor Ml and the transistor M2, and outputs to the gate of the transistor M2.

[0083] The amplification circuit 550 configured as described above generates the amplification modulation signal AMs at the connection point of the source of the transistor Ml and the drain of the transistor M2, the amplification modulation signal AMs being a signal in which the modulation signal Ms is amplified according to the voltage signal VHV. Further, the amplification circuit 550 outputs the generated amplification modulation signal AMs to the demodulation circuit 560.

[0084] Here, the capacitor C7 is provided on the transmission path of the voltage signal VHV transmitted to the input amplification circuit 550. Specifically, one end of the capacitor C7 is electrically connected to the transmission path of the voltage signal VHV and the drain of the transistor Ml, and the other end of the capacitor C7 is supplied with the ground potential. Thereby, the possibility of the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV of the input amplification circuit 550 varying is reduced, and the possibility of noise being superimposed on the voltage signal VHV is reduced, as a result of which the waveform accuracy of the amplification modulation signal AMs output from the amplification circuit 550 is improved. Therefore, an electrolytic capacitor having high withstand voltage and large capacity is used. Further, the capacitor C7 can be provided corresponding to one drive circuit 50 or can be provided corresponding to a plurality of drive circuits 50.

[0085] The demodulation circuit 560 demodulates the amplified modulation signal AMs output from the amplification circuit 550 to generate a drive signal COM, and outputs the drive signal COM from the drive circuit 50. The demodulation circuit 560 includes an inductor LI and a capacitor CI. One end of the inductor LI is connected to one end of the capacitor CI. The other end of the inductor LI is input with the amplified modulation signal AMs. In addition, the other end of the capacitor CI is supplied with a ground potential. That is, in the demodulation circuit 560, the inductor LI and the capacitor CI constitute a low pass filter. Further, the demodulation circuit 560 demodulates the amplified modulation signal AMs by smoothing the amplified modulation signal AMs using the low pass filter, and outputs the demodulated signal as the drive signal COM. That is, the drive circuit 50 outputs the drive signal COM from one end of the inductor LI and one end of the capacitor CI included in the demodulation circuit 560.

[0086] The feedback circuit 570 includes a resistor R3 and a resistor R4. One end of the resistor R3 is supplied with the drive signal COM, and the other end is connected to a terminal Vfb and one end of the resistor R4. The other end of the resistor R4 is supplied with the voltage signal VHV. Thus, the drive signal COM after passing through the feedback circuit 570 is fed back to the terminal Vfb in a state in which the voltage value of the voltage signal VHV is pulled up.

[0087] The feedback circuit 572 includes capacitors C2, C3, C4 and resistors R5, R6. One end of the capacitor C2 is supplied with the drive signal COM, and the other end is connected to one end of the resistor R5 and one end of the resistor R6. The other end of the resistor R5 is supplied with a ground potential. Thus, the capacitor C2 and the resistor R5 function as a high pass filter. In addition, the other end of the resistor R6 is connected to one end of the capacitor C4 and one end of the capacitor C3. The other end of the capacitor C3 is supplied with a ground potential. Thus, the resistor R6 and the capacitor C3 function as a low pass filter. That is, the feedback circuit 572 includes a high pass filter and a low pass filter, and functions as a band pass filter that passes a signal of a predetermined frequency band included in the drive signal COM.

[0088] Further, the other end of the capacitor C4 is connected to a terminal Ifb of the integrated circuit 500. Thus, a signal in which a direct current component is cut out from the high frequency component of the drive signal COM after passing through the feedback circuit 572 that functions as a band pass filter is fed back to the terminal Ifb.

[0089] The drive signal COM is a signal smoothed by the demodulation circuit 560 with respect to the amplified modulation signal AMs based on the base drive signal dO. In addition, the drive signal COM is fed back to the adder 512 after being integrated or subtracted via the terminal Vfb. Thus, the drive circuit 50 self-oscillates at a frequency determined by the delay of the feedback and the transfer function of the feedback. However, the amount of delay of the feedback path via the terminal Vfb is large, and thus, the frequency of the self-oscillation cannot be increased to a degree at which the accuracy of the drive signal COM can be sufficiently ensured only by the feedback via the terminal Vfb. Therefore, by providing a path for feeding back the high-frequency component of the drive signal COM via the terminal Ifb separately from the path via the terminal Vfb, the delay when viewed from the entire circuit is reduced. Thus, the frequency of the voltage signal Os can be increased to a degree at which the accuracy of the drive signal COM can be sufficiently ensured compared to when the path via the terminal Ifb is not present.

[0090] As described above, the drive circuit 50 generates the drive signal COM by performing D-stage amplification on the analog signal after digitally / analog-converting the input base drive signal dO, and outputs the generated drive signal COM. That is, the drive circuit 50 includes a D-stage amplification circuit, and the printhead 20 receives the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50 including the D-stage amplification circuit and ejects liquid.

[0091] 4. Configuration of drive signal selection circuit

[0092] Next, the configuration and operation of the drive signal selection circuit 200 will be described. As described above, the drive signal selection circuit 200 generates the drive signal VOUT by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the drive signal COM, and outputs the drive signal VOUT to one end of the piezoelectric element 60.

[0093] Figure 4 is a view showing the configuration of the drive signal selection circuit 200. As shown in Figure 4 the drive signal selection circuit 200 has a selection control circuit 210 and selection circuits 230[1] to 230[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m], respectively.

[0094] The selection control circuit 210 inputs the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, and the head control signal DI. The selection control circuit 210 generates selection signals S[l]-S[m] for switching whether or not to output the signal waveform included in the drive signal COM as the drive signal VOUT, based on the input clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, and the head control signal DI. The selection signals S[l]-S[m] generated by the selection control circuit 210 are input to the corresponding selection circuits 230[l]-230[m]. The selection circuits 230[l]-230[m] generate the drive signals VOUT[l]-VOUT[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[l]-60[m] by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the drive signal COM according to the input selection signals S[l]-S[m], and output to the corresponding piezoelectric elements 60[l]-60[m]. Here, the selection circuits 230[l]-230[m] are all the same configuration, and the selection circuit 230[l]-230[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60 of the piezoelectric elements 60[l]-60[m] is referred to as the selection circuit 230. At this time, the selection circuit 230 is described as selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the drive signal COM according to the selection signal S of the selection signals S[l]-S[m].

[0095] When the operation of the selection control circuit 210 is described in detail, the outline of the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, the clock signal SCK, and the head control signal DI input to the selection control circuit 210 is described. Figure 5 is a view for explaining the relationship between the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, the clock signal SCK, and the head control signal DI and the selection signal S.

[0096] The latch signal LAT is a pulse signal based on a signal indicating the scan position of the print head 20 output from the linear encoder 90, and specifies the period tp in which the print head 20 forms dots on the medium P. The conversion signal CH is a pulse signal that specifies the switching timing of whether or not to supply the signal waveform included in the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric element 60, and divides the period tp into periods tl-t4. The drive signal selection circuit 200 generates the drive signal VOUT by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform included in the drive signal COM in each of the periods tl-t4 obtained by dividing the period tp specified by the latch signal LAT with the conversion signal CH, and outputs to the piezoelectric element 60.

[0097] In addition, the head control signal DI serially includes the ejection control signal SI and the waveform selection signal SP. The ejection control signal SI independently specifies the amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60[1] to 60[m] for each piezoelectric element 60. In addition, the waveform selection signal SP specifies the relationship between the logic level of the selection signal S output in each period t1 to t4 and the ejection control signal SI.

[0098] Moreover, such as Figure 5 As shown, the head control signal DI is input to the selection control circuit 210 synchronously with the clock signal SCK during the period tp before the rise of the latch signal LAT. At this time, the head control signal DI input to the selection control circuit 210 is held in the registers corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m]. Moreover, the head control signal DI held in the register is latched together with the rising edge of the latch signal LAT. That is, at the timing at the beginning of the period tp, the head control signal DI held in the register is latched together. The selection control circuit 210 generates selection signals S according to the head control signal DI latched together and corresponding to the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4 in the period tp after the rise of the latch signal LAT, and outputs them to the selection circuit 230.

[0099] Here, the head control signal DI, which includes the ejection control signal SI and the waveform selection signal SP, will be explained in detail. Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the head control signal DI. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the head control signal DI includes the ejection control signal SI and the waveform selection signal SP.

[0100] The ejection control signal SI is a signal that specifies the amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60, and includes upper ejection data SIH and lower ejection data SIL. That is, in the ejection control signal SI, there are two bits of data corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m], namely the upper ejection data SIH and the lower ejection data SIL for controlling the drive of the piezoelectric element 60.

[0101] Specifically, the ejection control signal SI serially contains m bits of the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] in the order of the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[1], the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[m-1], and so on, and immediately after the upper ejection data SIH, serially contains m bits of the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m] in the order of the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[1], the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[m-1], and so on. That is, the ejection control signal SI is a 2m-bit signal serially containing m bits of the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[m] to 60[1] and m bits of the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[m] to 60[1]. Further, the ejection amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60[i] (i is any one of 1 to m) is specified by 2 bits of the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] and the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i].

[0102] Here, in the following description, the upper ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] is sometimes referred to as upper ejection data SIHi, and the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] is sometimes referred to as lower ejection data SILi. Further, in the following description, the upper ejection data SIH and the lower ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60 are sometimes collectively referred to as ejection data [SIH, SIL], and the upper ejection data SIHi and the lower ejection data SILi corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] are sometimes collectively referred to as ejection data [SIHi, SILi]. That is, the ejection amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60[i] is specified by the ejection data [SIHi, SILi]. In other words, the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] specifies the ejection amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60[i].

[0103] The waveform selection signal SP is a signal for specifying the drive pattern of the piezoelectric element 60 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIL] in each of the periods t1 to t4, and specifies the logic level of the selection signal S output in each of the periods t1 to t4 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIL]. The waveform selection signal SP in the present embodiment is a 16-bit signal containing the setting information SP00 to SP03, SP10 to SP13, SP20 to SP23, and SP30 to SP33.

[0104] Specifically, the waveform selection signal SP serially contains the setting information SP00-SP03, the setting information SP10-SP13, the setting information SP20-SP23, and the setting information SP30-SP33 in the order of the setting information SP33, SP32, SP31, SP30, SP23, SP22, SP21, SP20, SP13, SP12, SP11, SP10, SP03, SP02, SP01, SP00, wherein the setting information SP00-SP03 specifies the drive pattern of the piezoelectric element 60 within the period tl determined by the ejection data [SIH, SIL], the setting information SP10-SP13 specifies the drive pattern of the piezoelectric element 60 within the period t2 determined by the ejection data [SIH, SIL], the setting information SP20-SP23 specifies the drive pattern of the piezoelectric element 60 within the period t3 determined by the ejection data [SIH, SIL], and the setting information SP30-SP33 specifies the drive pattern of the piezoelectric element 60 within the period t4 determined by the ejection data [SIH, SIL]. Further, the waveform selection signal SP is the ejection amount of the ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60[i], and corresponds to the ejection data [SIH, SIL], and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms contained in the drive signal.

[0105] Further, the waveform selection signal SP is not limited to a 16-bit signal, but can be a signal of 16 bits or more or a signal of 16 bits or less, depending on the number of periods divided by the conversion signal CH for the period tp, or the number of drive patterns of the piezoelectric element 60 specified by the ejection control signal SI.

[0106] As described above, the head control signal DI includes the ejection data [SIH1, SIL1]-[SIHm, SILm] and the waveform selection signal SP, the ejection data [SIH1, SIL1]-[SIHm, SILm] specifies the ejection amount of the ink ejected under the drive of each of the piezoelectric elements 60[1]-60[m], and the waveform selection signal SP corresponds to the ejection amount of the ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric elements 60[1]-60[m], and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms contained in the drive signal COM.

[0107] Return Figure 4The selection control circuit 210 has a control logic circuit 260 and selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m]. Further, the selection control circuit 210 generates selection signals S[1] to S[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m], respectively, from a head control signal DI transmitted in synchronization with a clock signal SCK at timings specified by an inputted latch signal LAT and a change signal CH, and outputs them to the corresponding selection circuits 230[1] to 230[m].

[0108] The control logic circuit 260 includes an SP register group 261 and a selection control signal generating section 262. The SP register group 261 includes a plurality of registers connected in series, and constitutes a so-called shift register that sequentially transmits a head control signal DI inputted in synchronization with a clock signal SCK to a register at a next stage. Further, when the supply of the clock signal SCK is stopped, setting information SP00 to SP33 contained in a waveform selection signal SP in the head control signal DI is held in the SP register group 261.

[0109] The selection control signal generating section 262 latches the setting information SP00 to SP33 held in the SP register group 261 at a rising edge of the latch signal LAT. Further, the selection control signal generating section 262 generates selection control signals Q0, Q1, Q2, Q3 by interpreting the latched setting information SP00 to SP33, and outputs them to decoders 226 respectively possessed by the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m].

[0110] The selection control signal Q0 contains setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, and specifies logic levels of the selection signals S outputted from the selection control circuit 210 during a period tl. The selection control signal Q1 contains setting information SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, and specifies logic levels of the selection signals S outputted from the selection control circuit 210 during a period t2. The selection control signal Q2 contains setting information SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, and specifies logic levels of the selection signals S outputted from the selection control circuit 210 during a period t3. The selection control signal Q3 contains setting information SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33, and specifies logic levels of the selection signals S outputted from the selection control circuit 210 during a period t4.

[0111] Here, in the following description, the selection control signal Q0 including the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03 is sometimes referred to as the selection control signal Q0 [SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03], the selection control signal Q1 including the setting information SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13 is sometimes referred to as the selection control signal Q1 [SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13], the selection control signal Q2 including the setting information SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23 is sometimes referred to as the selection control signal Q2 [SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23], and the selection control signal Q3 including the setting information SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is sometimes referred to as the selection control signal Q3 [SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33].

[0112] The selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] each include a first register 222a, a second register 222b, a first latch circuit 224a, a second latch circuit 224b, and a decoder 226.

[0113] The second registers 222b included in the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] are connected in series to the latter stage of the SP register group 261 including a plurality of registers, and the first registers 222a included in the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] are connected in series to the latter stage of the m second registers 222b connected in series.

[0114] Specifically, the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[1] is connected to the latter stage of the SP register group 261, and the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[2], the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[3],..., and the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[m] are connected in series to the latter stage of the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[1] in this order. Furthermore, the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[1] is connected to the latter stage of the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[m]. In addition, the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[2], the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[3],..., and the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[m] are connected in series to the latter stage of the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[1] in this order.

[0115] That is, the SP register group 261, the m second registers 222b included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m], and the m first registers 222a included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] constitute a shift register. Further, the head control signal DI input to the SP register group 261 is sequentially transferred to the rear stage in synchronization with the clock signal SCK, in the order of the m second registers 222b included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m], and the m first registers 222a included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m]. Then, by stopping the supply of the clock signal SCK, the lower bit ejection data SIL corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] is held in the second register 222b included in the selection signal output section 270[i], and the upper bit ejection data SIH corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60[i] is held in the first register 222a included in the selection signal output section 270[i].

[0116] The upper bit ejection data SIH held in the first register 222a included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] is latched by the corresponding first latch circuit 224a at the rising edge of the latch signal LAT, and the lower bit ejection data SIL held in the second register 222b included in each of the selection signal output sections 270[1] to 270[m] is latched by the corresponding second latch circuit 224b at the rising edge of the latch signal LAT. Further, the first latch circuit 224a outputs the latched upper bit ejection data SIH as the latch data LTa to the decoder 226, and the second latch circuit 224b outputs the latched lower bit ejection data SIL as the latch data LTb to the decoder 226.

[0117] Here, in the following description, the latch data LTa output from the first latch circuit 224a included in the selection signal output section 270[i] is sometimes referred to as the latch data LTai, and the latch data LTb output from the second latch circuit 224b included in the selection signal output section 270[i] is sometimes referred to as the latch data LTbi. In addition, the latch data LTa and LTb are sometimes collectively referred to as the latch data [LTa, LTb], and the latch data LTai and LTbi corresponding to the selection signal output section 270[i] are sometimes collectively referred to as the latch data [LTai, LTbi].

[0118] The selection signal output section 270 [1] to 270 [m] each has a decoder 226 to which the selection control signals Q0 [SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03], the selection control signals Q1 [SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13], the selection control signals Q2 [SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23], and the selection control signals Q3 [SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] outputted from the selection control signal generating section 262 are commonly inputted, and to which the latched data [LTa, LTb] outputted from the corresponding first latch circuit 224a and the second latch circuit 224b are inputted. That is, the selection signal output section 270 [i] has a decoder 226 to which the selection control signals Q0 [SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03], the selection control signals Q1 [SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13], the selection control signals Q2 [SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23], and the selection control signals Q3 [SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] outputted from the selection control signal generating section 262 are inputted, and to which the latched data [LTai, LTbi] corresponding to the emission data [SIHi, SILi] are inputted. Further, the selection signal output section 270 [i] has a decoder 226 to generate the selection signal S [i] by decoding the latched data [LTai, LTbi] in accordance with the selection control signals Q0 to Q3, and to output to the selection circuit 230 [i].

[0119] Figure 7 is a view showing the decoding contents of the decoder 226 based on the selection control signals Q0 to Q3. As shown in Figure 7 , the decoder 226 outputs the selection signal S of the logic level specified by the selection control signals Q0 [SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03] during the period tl, outputs the selection signal S of the logic level specified by the selection control signals Q1 [SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13] during the period t2, outputs the selection signal S of the logic level specified by the selection control signals Q2 [SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23] during the period t3, and outputs the selection signal S of the logic level specified by the selection control signals Q3 [SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] during the period t4.

[0120] Specifically, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs the logic level of the set information SP00 as the selection signal S during the period tl, outputs the logic level of the set information SP10 as the selection signal S during the period t2, outputs the logic level of the set information SP20 as the selection signal S during the period t3, and outputs the logic level of the set information SP30 as the selection signal S during the period t4, in accordance with the contents defined by the selection control signals Q0 to Q3. Similarly, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs the logic level of the set information SP01 as the selection signal S during the period tl, outputs the logic level of the set information SP11 as the selection signal S during the period t2, outputs the logic level of the set information SP21 as the selection signal S during the period t3, and outputs the logic level of the set information SP31 as the selection signal S during the period t4, in accordance with the contents defined by the selection control signals Q0 to Q3. Similarly, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] is input to the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs the logic level of the set information SP02 as the selection signal S during the period tl, outputs the logic level of the set information SP12 as the selection signal S during the period t2, outputs the logic level of the set information SP22 as the selection signal S during the period t3, and outputs the logic level of the set information SP32 as the selection signal S during the period t4, in accordance with the contents defined by the selection control signals Q0 to Q3. Similarly, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs the logic level of the set information SP03 as the selection signal S during the period tl, outputs the logic level of the set information SP13 as the selection signal S during the period t2, outputs the logic level of the set information SP23 as the selection signal S during the period t3, and outputs the logic level of the set information SP33 as the selection signal S during the period t4, in accordance with the contents defined by the selection control signals Q0 to Q3.

[0121] As described above, the selection control circuit 210 outputs the selection signals S[1] to S[m] for controlling the states of the selection circuits 230[1] to 230[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[1] to 60[m], respectively, in accordance with the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, and the head control signal DI.

[0122] Next, the configuration of the selection circuit 230[l] to 230[m] will be described. Here, the selection circuit 230[l] to 230[m] are all the same configuration. Therefore, in a case where it is not necessary to distinguish the selection circuit 230[l] to 230[m], the selection circuit 230 is sometimes simply referred to. Also, the description will be made with the selection signal S of the selection signals S[l] to S[m] being input to the selection circuit 230.

[0123] Figure 8 is a view showing the configuration of the selection circuit 230 corresponding to the piezoelectric element 60. As shown in Figure 8 , the selection circuit 230 has an inverter 232 which is a NOT circuit and a transmission gate 234.

[0124] The selection signal S output from the selection control circuit 210 is input to the positive control terminal of the transmission gate 234 which is not marked with a circular mark, on the other hand, is logically inverted by the inverter 232 and is input to the negative control terminal of the transmission gate 234 which is marked with a circular mark. In addition, the input terminal of the transmission gate 234 is supplied with the drive signal COM. Specifically, the transmission gate 234 makes the input terminal and the output terminal conductive when the input selection signal S is at the H level, and makes the input terminal and the output terminal non-conductive when the input selection signal S is at the L level. Also, the drive signal VOUT is output from the output terminal of the transmission gate 234.

[0125] As described above, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in the present embodiment generates the selection signals S[l] to S[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[l] to 60[m], respectively, in accordance with the input clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the conversion signal CH, and the head control signal DI. Also, the selection circuit 230[l] to 230[m] selects or deselects the signal waveform of the drive signal COM in accordance with the selection signals S[l] to S[m], respectively, thereby generating the drive signals VOUT[l] to VOUT[m] corresponding to the piezoelectric elements 60[l] to 60[m], respectively, and outputting to the corresponding piezoelectric elements 60[l] to 60[m].

[0126] That is, the selection circuit 230 selects or deselects a plurality of signal waveforms included in the drive signal COM in accordance with the head control signal DI including the ejection data [SIH, SIl] which specifies the ejection amount of the liquid ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60, thereby outputting the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60.

[0127] 5. Configuration of the ejection module 22 which the print head 20 has

[0128] Next, the structure of the ejection module 22 which the print head 20 has will be described. Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ejection module 22,Figure 10 is a plan view of the ejection module 22, Figure 11 is a plan view of the ejection module 22, Figure 10 is a sectional view of the IV-IV section shown in Figure 12 is a plan view of the ejection module 22, Figure 11 is a main portion detail view of the Figure 13 is a plan view of the ejection module 22, Figure 10 is a sectional view of the VI-VI section shown in. Further, in the description of the structure of the print head 20, three spatial axes X, Y, Z orthogonal to each other are illustrated in each drawing. In the present embodiment, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, and, in the case of determining the orientation, the positive direction is set to "+" and the negative direction is set to "-," and the directions of the arrows in each drawing are set to the + direction and the opposite direction of the arrows is set to the - direction in the description of the directions. Further, the Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction, the +Z direction indicates the vertical downward direction, and the -Z direction indicates the vertical upward direction. Furthermore, with respect to the three spatial axes X, Y, Z, which are not limited to the positive direction and the negative direction, they are referred to as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.

[0129] As shown in Figure 9 , the ejection module 22 ejects ink in the Z-axis direction, more specifically, in the +Z-axis direction. The ejection module 22 has, as constituent components, a pressure chamber substrate 310, a communication plate 315, a nozzle plate 320, a plastic substrate 345, a vibration plate 350 to be described later, a piezoelectric element 60 to be described later, a protection substrate 330, a housing member 340, and a wiring substrate 420.

[0130] The pressure chamber substrate 310 is constituted, for example, of a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, an SOI substrate, various ceramic substrates, or the like. As shown in Figure 10 , on the pressure chamber substrate 310, two rows of pressure chamber rows are arranged in the X-axis direction, the pressure chamber rows being a plurality of pressure chambers 312 arranged in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the ejection module 22 of the print head 20 has a plurality of pressure chambers 312, and the plurality of pressure chambers 312 form pressure chamber rows in which a plurality of pressure chambers 312 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. Here, sometimes the pressure chamber row on the +X direction side among the two rows of pressure chamber rows is referred to as a first pressure chamber row, and the pressure chamber row separated from the first pressure chamber row in the -X direction in the X-axis direction is referred to as a second pressure chamber row. Further, Figure 10 is a plan view of the ejection module 22, illustrating the constitution of the periphery of the pressure chamber substrate 310, and the illustration of the protection substrate 330 and the housing member 340 is omitted.

[0131] Further, the plurality of pressure chambers 312 constituting each pressure chamber row are arranged on a straight line in the Y-axis direction in such a manner that the positions in the X-axis direction are the same. Pressure chambers 312 adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction are separated from each other in the X-axis direction by a communication hole 313. Figure 13The partition wall 311 is shown. Of course, the arrangement of the pressure chambers 312 is not particularly limited. For example, the arrangement of multiple pressure chambers 312 arranged along the Y-axis can also be a so-called staggered arrangement in which the positions of each pressure chamber 312 are staggered in the X-axis direction every other one.

[0132] Furthermore, the pressure chamber 312 in this embodiment is formed such that, when viewed from above in the +Z direction, its length in the X-axis direction is longer than its length in the Y-axis direction, for example, it is rectangular. Of course, the shape of the pressure chamber 312 when viewed from above in the +Z direction is not particularly limited, and it can also be a parallelogram shape, a polygon shape, a circle shape, an ellipse shape, etc. In addition, the ellipse shape mentioned here refers to a shape that is based on a rectangle and has the two ends of the long side formed as semicircles, including rounded rectangular shapes, ellipse shapes, oval shapes, etc.

[0133] like Figure 9 , Figure 12 As shown, a connecting plate 315, a nozzle plate 320, and a plastic substrate 345 are sequentially stacked on the +Z axis side of the pressure chamber substrate 310.

[0134] The connecting plate 315 is provided with a nozzle connecting channel 316 that connects the pressure chamber 312 and the nozzle 321. Additionally, the connecting plate 315 is provided with a first manifold portion 317 and a second manifold portion 318, which together form part of a manifold 400 that communicates with a common liquid chamber of the plurality of pressure chambers 312. The first manifold portion 317 extends through the connecting plate 315 along the Z-axis direction. The second manifold portion 318 does not extend through the connecting plate 315 along the Z-axis direction, but is instead configured to open on a surface in the +Z-axis direction.

[0135] Furthermore, on the connecting plate 315, a supply connecting channel 319 is provided independently of each pressure chamber 312, communicating with one end of the pressure chamber 312 in the X-axis direction. The supply connecting channel 319 connects the second manifold section 318 to each pressure chamber 312, thereby supplying ink from the manifold 400 to each pressure chamber 312.

[0136] The connecting plate 315 can be made of silicon substrate, glass substrate, SOI substrate, various ceramic substrates, metal substrates, etc. For example, stainless steel substrate can be used as a metal substrate. Furthermore, the connecting plate 315 is preferably made of a material with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is approximately the same as that of the pressure chamber substrate 310. This reduces the possibility of warping on the pressure chamber substrate 310 and the connecting plate 315 due to differences in their coefficients of thermal expansion when the temperature of the pressure chamber substrate 310 and the connecting plate 315 changes.

[0137] A nozzle plate 320 is provided on the side of the communication plate 315 opposite the pressure chamber substrate 310, that is, on the side of the +Z-axis direction. The nozzle plate 320 has nozzles 321 formed therein that communicate with the respective pressure chambers 312 via the nozzle communication passages 316.

[0138] In the present embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 321 are arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction. Further, on the nozzle plate 320, the nozzle rows in which the plurality of nozzles 321 are arranged are provided in two rows in the X-axis direction. The two rows of nozzle rows correspond to the first pressure chamber row and the second pressure chamber row, respectively. The plurality of nozzles 321 of each row are arranged so that the positions in the X-axis direction are the same. Further, the arrangement of the nozzles 321 is not particularly limited. For example, the nozzles 321 arranged in a row along the Y-axis direction can be arranged at positions staggered in the X-axis direction at intervals.

[0139] As the material of the nozzle plate 320, there is no particular limitation, and, for example, a silicon substrate, a glass substrate, an SOI substrate, various ceramic substrates, a metal substrate can be used. As the metal substrate, for example, a stainless steel substrate or the like can be given. Further, as the material of the nozzle plate 320, an organic substance such as a polyimide resin or the like can be used. However, the nozzle plate 320 preferably uses a material having substantially the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the communication plate 315. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that warping occurs in the nozzle plate 320 and the communication plate 315 due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion when the temperature of the nozzle plate 320 and the communication plate 315 changes.

[0140] A pliable substrate 345 is provided on the side of the communication plate 315 opposite the pressure chamber substrate 310, that is, on the side of the +Z-axis direction, together with the nozzle plate 320. The pliable substrate 345 is provided around the nozzle plate 320 and seals the openings of the first manifold portion 317 and the second manifold portion 318 provided in the communication plate 315. The pliable substrate 345 includes a sealing film 346 composed of a thin film having flexibility and a fixed substrate 347 composed of a hard material such as metal. The region of the fixed substrate 347 opposite the manifold 400 becomes an opening portion 348 that is completely removed in the thickness direction. Therefore, one face of the manifold 400 becomes a pliable portion 349 that is sealed only by the sealing film 346 having flexibility.

[0141] On the other hand, on the side of the pressure chamber substrate 310 opposite the nozzle plate 320 or the like, that is, on the side of the -Z-axis direction, a vibration plate 350 and a piezoelectric element 60 that deforms the vibration plate 350 so as to cause the ink in the pressure chamber 312 to change in pressure are laminated, as will be described later in detail. In other words, the vibration plate 350 is provided in the +Z-axis direction with respect to the piezoelectric element 60, and the pressure chamber substrate 310 is provided in the +Z-axis direction with respect to the vibration plate 350. Further, Figure 11is a view for explaining the overall configuration of the ejection module 22, and the configuration of the piezoelectric element 60 is simply shown.

[0142] On the side surface of the pressure chamber substrate 310 in the -Z-axis direction, a protection substrate 330 having substantially the same size as the pressure chamber substrate 310 is joined by an adhesive or the like. The protection substrate 330 has a holding portion 331 that is a space for protecting the piezoelectric element 60. The holding portion 331 is provided independently for each column of the piezoelectric elements 60 arranged in the Y-axis direction, and two are arranged in the X-axis direction. In addition, on the protection substrate 330, a through-hole 332 that penetrates in the Z-axis direction is provided between the two holding portions 331 arranged in the X-axis direction.

[0143] In addition, a housing member 340 is fixed to the protection substrate 330, and the housing member 340 divides a manifold 400 that communicates with the plurality of pressure chambers 312 together with the pressure chamber substrate 310. The housing member 340 has substantially the same shape as the above-mentioned communication plate 315 when viewed from the -Z-axis direction, and is joined to the protection substrate 330, and is also joined to the above-mentioned communication plate 315.

[0144] Such a housing member 340 has a housing portion 341 that is a space capable of housing the pressure chamber substrate 310 and the protection substrate 330 on the side of the protection substrate 330. The housing portion 341 has a larger opening area than the surface of the protection substrate 330 that is joined to the pressure chamber substrate 310. Furthermore, in a state in which the pressure chamber substrate 310 and the protection substrate 330 are housed in the housing portion 341, the opening surface of the housing portion 341 on the nozzle plate 320 side is sealed by the communication plate 315.

[0145] In addition, on the housing member 340, a third manifold portion 342 is dividedly formed on both outer sides of the housing portion 341 in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the manifold 400 is constituted by the first manifold portion 317 and the second manifold portion 318 provided to the communication plate 315 and the third manifold portion 342. The manifold 400 is continuously provided in the entire Y-axis direction, and the supply communication passage 319 that communicates each pressure chamber 312 with the manifold 400 is arranged in the Y-axis direction.

[0146] In addition, a supply port 344 that communicates with the manifold 400 and is used to supply ink to each manifold 400 is provided to the housing member 340. Furthermore, a connection port 343 that communicates with the through-hole 332 of the protection substrate 330 and through which the wiring substrate 420 is inserted is provided to the housing member 340.

[0147] In this ejection module 22 of this embodiment, ink stored in the ink container 2 is taken in through the supply port 344, and after the ink fills the interior from the manifold 400 to the nozzle 321, a drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM is supplied from the integrated circuit 421, which includes the drive signal selection circuit 200, to each piezoelectric element 60 corresponding to the pressure chamber 312. As a result, the vibrating plate 350 and the piezoelectric element 60 flex and deform together, the pressure in each pressure chamber 312 increases, and ink is ejected from each nozzle 321. Moreover, the printhead 20 is configured by having multiple ejection modules 22 described above.

[0148] Next, the configuration, including the aforementioned vibrating plate 350 and piezoelectric element 60, which is stacked on the -Z-axis side of the pressure chamber substrate 310, will be described in detail. As a configuration stacked on the -Z-axis side of the pressure chamber substrate 310, in addition to the vibrating plate 350 and piezoelectric element 60, the ejection module 22 also includes an independent lead electrode 391, a common lead electrode 392, a measurement lead electrode 393, and a resistance wiring 401.

[0149] like Figure 11 to Figure 13 As shown, the vibrating plate 350 is composed of an elastic membrane 351 and an insulating membrane 352. The elastic membrane 351 is disposed on the pressure chamber substrate 310 side and is made of silicon oxide, while the insulating membrane 352 is disposed on the elastic membrane 351 and is made of zirconium oxide. The liquid flow channels of the pressure chamber 312, etc., are formed by anisotropic etching of the surface from the +Z axis direction side of the pressure chamber substrate 310, and the surface of the liquid flow channels of the pressure chamber 312, etc., in the -Z axis direction direction is composed of the elastic membrane 351.

[0150] Furthermore, the composition of the vibrating plate 350 is not particularly limited. For example, the vibrating plate 350 may be composed of either an elastic membrane 351 or an insulating membrane 352, or it may include other membranes besides the elastic membrane 351 and the insulating membrane 352. Examples of other membrane materials include silicon and silicon nitride.

[0151] The piezoelectric element 60 is an example of a piezoelectric actuator that causes pressure changes in the ink within the pressure chamber 312. This piezoelectric element 60 has electrodes 360, a piezoelectric body 370, and an electrode 380 stacked sequentially from the vibrating plate 350 side (+Z-axis direction) towards the -Z-axis direction. In other words, the piezoelectric element 60 includes electrodes 360, 380, and a piezoelectric body 370, with the piezoelectric body 370 disposed between electrodes 360 and 380 in the Z-axis direction where the electrodes 360, 380, and 370 are stacked.

[0152] The electrode 360 and the electrode 380 are electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420, and supply the piezoelectric body 370 with a drive signal VOUT supplied from a drive signal selection circuit 200 included in an integrated circuit 421 mounted to the wiring substrate 420 and a reference voltage signal VBS transmitted in the wiring substrate 420. The electrode 360 is supplied with the drive signal VOUT which differs depending on the amount of ejection of ink, and the electrode 380 is supplied with the reference voltage signal VBS which is constant irrespective of the amount of ejection of ink. Thus, a potential difference is generated between the electrode 360 and the electrode 380, thereby deforming the piezoelectric body 370. That is, the vibration plate 350 is deformed or vibrated by driving the piezoelectric element 60, thereby changing the volume of the pressure chamber 312, and thus applying pressure to the ink accommodated in the pressure chamber 312. As a result, the ink is ejected from the nozzle 321 via the nozzle communication passage 316. In this case, the amount of change in the volume of the pressure chamber 312 becomes the amount of ejection of ink.

[0153] A portion of the piezoelectric element 60 in which the piezoelectric body 370 generates a piezoelectric strain when a voltage is applied between the electrode 360 and the electrode 380 is referred to as an active portion 410. In contrast, a portion of the piezoelectric body 370 in which the piezoelectric body 370 does not generate a piezoelectric strain is referred to as an inactive portion 415. That is, the portion of the piezoelectric element 60 in which the piezoelectric body 370 is sandwiched by the electrode 360 and the electrode 380 is the active portion 410, and the portion of the piezoelectric body 370 which is not sandwiched by the electrode 360 and the electrode 380 is the inactive portion 415. In addition, a portion which is displaced in the Z-axis direction when the piezoelectric element 60 is driven is referred to as a flexible portion, and a portion which is not displaced in the Z-axis direction is referred to as a non-flexible portion. That is, the portion of the piezoelectric element 60 which opposes the pressure chamber 312 in the Z-axis direction becomes the flexible portion, and the portion outside the pressure chamber 312 becomes the non-flexible portion. Furthermore, the active portion 410 is also referred to as an active portion, and the inactive portion 415 is also referred to as an inactive portion.

[0154] Generally, one of the electrodes of the active portion 410 is configured as an independent electrode which is independent for each active portion 410, and the other electrode is configured as a common electrode which is common to a plurality of active portions 410. In the present embodiment, the electrode 360 is configured as an independent electrode, and the electrode 380 is configured as a common electrode.

[0155] Specifically, the electrode 360 is provided on the +Z-axis direction side of the piezoelectric body 370 in the Z-axis direction, and is divided for each pressure chamber 312, thereby being configured as an independent electrode which is independent for each active portion 410. That is, the electrode 360 is independently provided with respect to a plurality of pressure chambers 312. The electrode 360 is formed in a width narrower than the width of the pressure chamber 312 in the Y-axis direction. That is, in the Y-axis direction, the end portion of the electrode 360 is located inside the region opposing the pressure chamber 312.

[0156] In addition, the +X-direction end portion 360a and the -X-direction end portion 360b of the electrode 360 are respectively arranged outside the pressure chamber 312. For example, in the first pressure chamber row, as shown in FIG. 3, the end portion 360a of the electrode 360 is arranged at a position further to the +X-axis direction side than the +X-axis direction end portion 312a of the pressure chamber 312. The end portion 360b of the electrode 360 is arranged at a position further to the -X-axis direction side than the -X-axis direction end portion 312b of the pressure chamber 312. Figure 12

[0157] The material of the electrode 360 is not particularly limited, and for example, a conductive material such as a metal such as platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), an electrically conductive metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), or the like can be used. Alternatively, a plurality of materials such as platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), or the like can be stacked to be formed. In the present embodiment, platinum (Pt) is used as the electrode 360.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 3, the piezoelectric body 370 is continuously provided in the entire Y-axis direction in a manner that the length in the X-axis direction is set to a predetermined length. That is, the piezoelectric body 370 is continuously provided in the direction in which the pressure chambers 312 are arranged, with a predetermined thickness. The thickness of the piezoelectric body 370 is not particularly limited, and is formed to a thickness of about 1000 nm to 4000 nm. Figure 10

[0159] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the length of the piezoelectric body 370 in the X-axis direction is longer than the length of the pressure chamber 312 in the long side direction, that is, the length in the X-axis direction. Therefore, on both sides of the pressure chamber 312 in the X-axis direction, the piezoelectric body 370 extends to the outside of the pressure chamber 312. In this way, by extending the piezoelectric body 370 to the outside of the pressure chamber 312 in the X-axis direction, the strength of the vibration plate 350 is improved. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of cracks or the like occurring in the vibration plate 350 or the piezoelectric element 60 when the active portion 410 is driven to displace the piezoelectric element 60. Figure 12 In addition, for example, in the first pressure chamber row, as shown in FIG. 3, the +X-direction end portion 370a of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360a of the electrode 360, which is outside. That is, the end portion 360a of the electrode 360 is covered by the piezoelectric body 370. On the other hand, the -X-direction end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360b of the electrode 360, which is inside, and the end portion 360b of the electrode 360 is not covered by the piezoelectric body 370.

[0160] Figure 12 In addition, for example, in the first pressure chamber row, as shown in FIG. 3, the +X-direction end portion 370a of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360a of the electrode 360, which is outside. That is, the end portion 360a of the electrode 360 is covered by the piezoelectric body 370. On the other hand, the -X-direction end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360b of the electrode 360, which is inside, and the end portion 360b of the electrode 360 is not covered by the piezoelectric body 370.

[0161] In addition, for example, in the first pressure chamber row, as shown in FIG. 3, the +X-direction end portion 370a of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360a of the electrode 360, which is outside. That is, the end portion 360a of the electrode 360 is covered by the piezoelectric body 370. On the other hand, the -X-direction end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned further to the +X-axis direction side than the end portion 360b of the electrode 360, which is inside, and the end portion 360b of the electrode 360 is not covered by the piezoelectric body 370. Figure 10 Figure 13 ​​​​As shown, a groove portion 371, which is a portion having a smaller thickness than other regions, is formed in the piezoelectric body 370 corresponding to each of the partition walls 311. The groove portion 371 of the present embodiment is formed by completely removing the piezoelectric body 370 in the Z-axis direction. That is, the piezoelectric body 370 having a portion with a smaller thickness than other regions also includes a case where the piezoelectric body 370 is completely removed in the Z-axis direction. Of course, the piezoelectric body 370 can be formed to have a smaller thickness than other portions also at the bottom surface of the groove portion 371.

[0162] In addition, the length in the Y-axis direction of the groove portion 371, that is, the width of the groove portion 371 is the same as or wider than the width of the partition wall 311. In the present embodiment, the width of the groove portion 371 is wider than the width of the partition wall 311.

[0163] Such a groove portion 371 is formed to have a rectangular shape when viewed from the -Z-axis direction side. Of course, the shape of the groove portion 371 when viewed from the -Z-axis direction side is not limited to a rectangular shape, and can be a polygonal shape of five sides or more, or a circular shape or an elliptical shape, and the like.

[0164] By providing the groove portion 371 in the piezoelectric body 370, the rigidity of the portion of the vibrating plate 350 that opposes the end portion of the pressure chamber 312 in the Y-axis direction, that is, the arm portion of the vibrating plate 350 is suppressed, and thus the piezoelectric element 60 can be caused to displace more favorably.

[0165] As the piezoelectric body 370, a crystalline film of a perovskite structure formed of a strong dielectric ceramic material exhibiting an electromechanical conversion action, so-called perovskite-type crystal, on the electrode 360 can be given. As the material of the piezoelectric body 370, for example, a strong dielectric piezoelectric material such as zirconate titanate (PZT) or a material to which a metal oxide such as niobium oxide, nickel oxide, or magnesium oxide is added can be used. Specifically, lead titanate (PbTiO3), lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3), lead zirconate (PbZrO3), lead lanthanum titanate ((Pb,La)TiO3), lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ((Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3), or lead zirconate titanate magnesium niobate (Pb(Zr,Ti)(Mg,Nb)O3), and the like can be used. In the present embodiment, lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is used as the piezoelectric body 370.

[0166] Furthermore, the material used for the piezoelectric element 370 is not limited to lead-based piezoelectric materials containing lead; lead-free, non-lead-based piezoelectric materials can also be used. Examples of non-lead-based piezoelectric materials include bismuth ferrite ((BiFeO3), abbreviated as "BFO"), barium titanate ((BaTiO3), abbreviated as "BT"), potassium sodium niobate ((K,Na)(NbO3), abbreviated as "KNN"), lithium sodium potassium niobate ((K,Na,Li)(NbO3)), lithium sodium potassium niobate ((K,Na,Li)(Nb,Ta)O3), potassium bismuth potassium titanate ((Bi1 / 2K1 / 2)TiO3, abbreviated as "BKT"), sodium bismuth titanate ((Bi1 / 2Na1 / 2)TiO3, abbreviated as "BNT"), and bismuth manganate (B iMnO3 (abbreviated as "BM"), composite oxides with a perovskite structure containing bismuth, potassium, titanium and iron (x[(BixK1-x)TiO3]-(1-x)[BiFeO3], abbreviated as "BKT-BF"), composite oxides with a perovskite structure containing bismuth, iron, barium and titanium ((1-x)[BiFeO3]-x[BaTiO3], abbreviated as "BFO-BT"), or substances formed by adding metals such as manganese, cobalt, chromium, etc. ((1-x)[Bi(Fe1-yMy)O3]-x[BaTiO3] (M is Mn, CO or Cr)), etc.

[0167] like Figure 10 , Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 As shown, electrode 380 is disposed on the side opposite to electrode 360, i.e., the -Z-axis side of the Z-axis direction, opposite to piezoelectric body 370, and constitutes a common electrode shared by multiple active parts 410. That is, electrode 380 is disposed shared by multiple pressure chambers 312. Electrode 380 is continuously disposed in the entire Y-axis direction with a predetermined length in the X-axis direction. This electrode 380 is also disposed on the inner surface of groove 371, i.e., on the side surface of groove 371 of piezoelectric body 370, and on insulating film 352 which serves as the bottom surface of groove 371. Furthermore, regarding the inside of groove 371, electrode 380 may be disposed only on a portion of the inner surface of groove 371, or it may not cover the entire inner surface of groove 371.

[0168] Additionally, for example, in the first pressure chamber row, such as Figure 12As shown, the end portion 380a of the electrode 380 in the +X direction is arranged on the +X-axis direction side further outward than the end portion 360a of the electrode 360 covered by the piezoelectric body 370. That is, the end portion 380a of the electrode 380 is positioned on the +X-axis direction side further outward than the end portion 312a of the pressure chamber 312 and on the +X-axis direction side further outward than the end portion 360a of the electrode 360. In the present embodiment, the end portion 380a of the electrode 380 substantially coincides with the end portion 370a of the piezoelectric body 370 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the end portion of the active portion 410 in the +X-axis direction, that is, the boundary between the active portion 410 and the inactive portion 415 is defined by the end portion 360a of the electrode 360.

[0169] On the other hand, the end portion 380b of the electrode 380 in the -X-axis direction is arranged on the -X-axis direction side further outward than the end portion 312b of the pressure chamber 312 and on the +X-axis direction side further inward than the end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370. As described above, the end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370 is positioned on the +X-axis direction side further inward than the end portion 360b of the electrode 360. Therefore, the end portion 380b of the electrode 380 is positioned on the piezoelectric body 370 on the +X-axis direction side further than the end portion 360b of the electrode 360. Therefore, on the -X-axis direction side of the end portion 380b of the electrode 380, there is a portion where the surface of the piezoelectric body 370 is exposed.

[0170] Thus, since the end portion 380b of the electrode 380 is arranged on the +X-axis direction side further than the end portion 370b of the piezoelectric body 370 and the end portion 360b of the electrode 360, the end portion of the active portion 410 in the -X-axis direction, that is, the boundary between the active portion 410 and the inactive portion 415 is defined by the end portion 380b of the electrode 380.

[0171] The material of the electrode 380 is not particularly limited and, like the electrode 360, a conductive material such as a metal such as platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), a conductive metal oxide such as indium tin oxide (ITO), or the like is used. Alternatively, a plurality of materials such as platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), gold (Au), titanium (Ti), or the like can be stacked to form. In the present embodiment, iridium (Ir) is used as the electrode 380.

[0172] In addition, a wiring portion 385 is provided outside the end portion 380b of the electrode 380, that is, further to the -X-axis direction side of the end portion 380b of the electrode 380, the wiring portion 385 being the same layer as the electrode 380 but being electrically discontinuous from the electrode 380. In addition, the wiring portion 385 is formed from the piezoelectric body 370 to the electrode 360 provided further to the -X-axis direction than the piezoelectric body 370 in a state of being separated by a gap without contacting the end portion 380b of the electrode 380. The wiring portion 385 is provided independently for each active portion 410. That is, the wiring portion 385 is provided with a plurality of portions at a prescribed interval along the Y-axis direction. In addition, the wiring portion 385 can also be formed by a different layer from the electrode 380, but is preferably formed by the same layer as the electrode 380. Thereby, the manufacturing process of the wiring portion 385 can be simplified to achieve a reduction in cost.

[0173] In addition, on the electrode 360 and the electrode 380 constituting the piezoelectric element 60, the electrode 360 is electrically connected to the independent lead electrode 391, and the electrode 380 is electrically connected to the common lead electrode 392 that is a common electrode for driving. The end portion of the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 on the opposite side from the end portion connected to the piezoelectric element 60 is electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420 having flexibility. On the wiring substrate 420, a plurality of wirings for connection to the control mechanism 10, the temperature information output circuit 26, and a plurality of circuits not shown are formed. In the present embodiment, the wiring substrate 420 is constituted by, for example, an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit). In addition, instead of the FPC, any substrate having flexibility such as an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) can be used.

[0174] In the present embodiment, the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 are provided extending in a manner of being exposed inside the through-hole 332 formed in the protective substrate 330, and are electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420 inside the through-hole 332. In addition, the integrated circuit 421 on which the drive signal selection circuit 200 that outputs a drive signal VOUT for driving the piezoelectric element 60 is mounted is mounted on the wiring substrate 420.

[0175] In the present embodiment, the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 are constituted by the same layer, but are formed to be electrically discontinuous. Thereby, compared to when the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 are formed independently, the manufacturing process can be simplified to reduce the cost. Of course, the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 can also be formed by different layers.

[0176] The materials used for the individual lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 are not particularly limited as long as they are conductive. For example, gold (Au), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), etc., can be used. In this embodiment, gold (Au) is used as both the individual lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392. Furthermore, the individual lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392 may also have a sealing layer to improve their adhesion to the electrode 360, the electrode 380, or the vibrating plate 350.

[0177] Individual lead electrodes 391 are provided for each active part 410, that is, for each electrode 360. For example... Figure 12 As shown, for example in the first pressure chamber array, the independent lead electrode 391 is connected via the wiring portion 385 to the vicinity of the end 360b of the electrode 360 ​​disposed outside the piezoelectric body 370, and is actually led out to the vibrating plate 350 on the pressure chamber substrate 310 in the -X axis direction.

[0178] On the other hand, such as Figure 10 As shown, for example in the first pressure chamber array, the common lead electrode 392 extends from the electrode 380 of the common electrode constituting the piezoelectric body 370 in the -X direction to the vibrating plate 350 at both ends in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, the common lead electrode 392 has an extension portion 392a and an extension portion 392b. (As shown...) Figure 10 , Figure 12 As shown, for example in the first pressure chamber row, the extension portion 392a extends along the Y-axis in the region corresponding to the end portion 312a of the pressure chamber 312, and the extension portion 392b extends along the Y-axis in the region corresponding to the end portion 312b of the pressure chamber 312. These extension portions 392a and 392b are continuously provided along the Y-axis relative to the plurality of active portions 410.

[0179] Furthermore, the extension portions 392a and 392b extend from the inside of the pressure chamber 312 to the outside of the pressure chamber 312 in the X-axis direction. In this embodiment, the active portion 410 of the piezoelectric element 60 extends to the outside of the pressure chamber 312 at both ends in the X-axis direction, and the extension portions 392a and 392b extend from the active portion 410 to the outside of the pressure chamber 312.

[0180] like Figure 12As shown, a resistance wiring 401 is provided on the surface of the vibrating plate 350 in the -Z axis direction. The resistance wiring 401 constitutes at least a part of the temperature detection circuit 24 for detecting the temperature of the pressure chamber 312. The temperature detection circuit 24 of this embodiment utilizes the characteristic that the resistance value of a metal or semiconductor changes with temperature. The material of the resistance wiring 401 is not particularly limited as long as the resistance value is temperature-dependent, such as gold (Au), platinum (Pt), iridium (Ir), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), etc. Among these, from the viewpoint of large resistance value change due to temperature and high stability and accuracy, platinum (Pt) can be appropriately used as the material of the resistance wiring 401. In this embodiment, the resistance wiring 401 is formed on the surface of the vibrating plate 350 in the -Z axis direction in a manner that is co-layered with the electrode 360 ​​but electrically discontinuous with the electrode 360. Therefore, the material of the resistance wiring 401 is platinum (Pt), the same as that of the electrode 360. Therefore, compared to forming the resistor wiring 401 and the electrode 360 ​​separately, the manufacturing process can be simplified and costs reduced. Of course, the resistor wiring 401 can also be formed from a different layer than the electrode 360.

[0181] like Figure 10 As shown, the resistance wiring 401 is continuous. One end of the resistance wiring 401 on the +X-axis side in the X-axis direction is connected to the measuring lead electrode 393a, and the other end of the resistance wiring 401 on the -X-axis side in the X-axis direction is connected to the measuring lead electrode 393b. Furthermore, the measuring lead electrodes 393a and 393b are electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420. Thus, the resistance wiring 401 is electrically connected to the temperature information output circuit 26, which can measure the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401. In this embodiment, the resistance wiring 401 is covered by a piezoelectric element 370 and is located between the vibrating plate 350 and the piezoelectric element 370 in the Z-axis direction.

[0182] The resistance wiring 401 has a first pressure chamber column side meandering pattern on the +X-axis direction side in the X-axis direction and a second pressure chamber column side meandering pattern on the -X-axis direction side in the X-axis direction. The first pressure chamber column side meandering pattern meanders in the Y-axis direction at a position overlapping the supply communication passage 319 that communicates with each pressure chamber 312 constituting the first pressure chamber column, as viewed from the -Z-axis direction. The second pressure chamber column side meandering pattern meanders in the Y-axis direction at a position overlapping the supply communication passage 319 that communicates with each pressure chamber 312 constituting the second pressure chamber column, as viewed from the -Z-axis direction. That is, the resistance wiring 401 has the first pressure chamber column side meandering pattern corresponding to the first pressure chamber column formed of the plurality of pressure chambers 312 and the second pressure chamber column side meandering pattern corresponding to the second pressure chamber column formed of the plurality of pressure chambers 312. In addition, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the distance of the -Z-axis direction side end of the pressure chamber 312 from the resistance wiring 401 in the Z-axis direction is shorter than the size of the pressure chamber 312 in the Z-axis direction. In addition, for example, in the first pressure chamber column, the distance of the +X direction side end 312a of the pressure chamber 312 from the resistance wiring 401 in the X-axis direction is shorter than the size of the pressure chamber 312 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 easily changes in correspondence with the temperature change of the pressure chamber 312. Figure 11 、 Figure 12

[0183] In the present embodiment, the measurement lead electrode 393 including the measurement lead electrodes 393a and 393b is formed of the same layer as the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392, but is formed to be electrically discontinuous. Thus, compared to when the measurement lead electrode 393 is formed independently from the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392, the manufacturing process can be simplified to reduce costs. Of course, the measurement lead electrode 393 can be formed in a different layer from the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392.

[0184] The material of the measurement lead electrode 393 is not particularly limited as long as it is a material having electrical conductivity, and for example, gold (Au), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), platinum (Pt), aluminum (Al), or the like can be used. In the present embodiment, gold (Au) is used as the measurement lead electrode 393. Thus, the material of the measurement lead electrode 393 is the same material as the independent lead electrode 391 and the common lead electrode 392. In addition, the measurement lead electrode 393 can have an adhesion layer that improves adhesion to the resistance wiring 401 or the vibrating plate 350.

[0185] ​In the present embodiment, the measurement lead electrode 393 is provided so as to extend in a manner exposed in the through-hole 332 formed in the protective substrate 330, and is electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420 in the through-hole 332. Thus, the temperature information output circuit 26 can acquire the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 via the wiring substrate 420. Also, the temperature information output circuit 26 outputs the acquired resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature information signal TI in accordance with a temperature acquisition request signal TD from the control circuit 100. Alternatively, the temperature information output circuit 26 can also store in advance a correspondence relationship between the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 and the temperature. Also, the temperature information output circuit 26 can also output the temperature corresponding to the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature information signal TI in accordance with the temperature acquisition request signal TD from the control circuit 100.

[0186] For example, when the temperature detection circuit 24 is provided outside the ejection module 22, the difference between the temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 and the temperature in the pressure chamber 312, and the difference between the temperature in the ejection module 22 and the temperature in the pressure chamber 312 can be larger. In this case, the correction control by the control circuit 100 to correct the control signals Ctrl-H, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-T in accordance with the temperature information signal TI can be reduced, and it can not be possible to perform optimal ejection control of the ejection module 22 that is appropriate for the temperature of the ink in the pressure chamber 312. In the present embodiment, the resistance wiring 401 is provided so as to be laminated to the vibration plate 350 inside the ejection module 22. Thus, it is possible to reduce the difference between the temperature detected by the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature detection circuit 24 and the temperature in the pressure chamber 312, and to improve the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24. As a result, it is possible to perform ejection control of the ejection module 22 that is appropriate for the temperature of the ink in the pressure chamber 312 by the control circuit 100.

[0187] That is, in the print head 20 of the present embodiment, the ejection module 22 includes: the piezoelectric element 60 that receives a drive signal VOUT based on a drive signal COM to be driven, and includes an electrode 360, an electrode 380, and a piezoelectric body 370, the piezoelectric body 370 being located between the electrode 360 and the electrode 380 in a Z-axis direction that is a stacking direction of the electrode 360, the electrode 380, and the piezoelectric body 370; the vibration plate 350 that is located on a +Z-axis direction side that is one side in the stacking direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, with respect to the piezoelectric element 60, and deforms under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60; the pressure chamber substrate 310 that is located on the +Z-axis direction side that is one side in the stacking direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, with respect to the vibration plate 350, and is provided with a plurality of pressure chambers 312 whose volumes change according to the deformation of the vibration plate 350; the drive signal selection circuit 200 that switches whether or not to supply the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric element 60; the wiring substrate 420 that is provided with an integrated circuit 421 including the drive signal selection circuit 200; and the resistance wiring 401 that is located on a -Z-axis direction side that is the other side in the stacking direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction, with respect to the vibration plate 350, is electrically connected to the wiring substrate 420, and constitutes at least a part of the temperature detection circuit 24 that detects temperature information of the pressure chamber 312.

[0188] Thus, the difference between the temperature detected based on the resistance value of the resistance wiring 401 that is the temperature detection circuit 24 and the temperature in the pressure chamber 312 can be reduced, and the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 is improved. As a result, the ejection control of the ejection module 22 that is suitable for the temperature of the ink in the pressure chamber 312 can be performed by the control circuit 100.

[0189] Further, by laminating at least a part of the resistance wiring 401 that is the temperature detection circuit 24 to the vibration plate 350, it is possible to further arrange the resistance wiring 401 that is the temperature detection circuit 24 in the vicinity of the pressure chamber 312, and the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 is further improved. As a result, the ejection control of the ejection module 22 that is more suitable for the temperature of the ink in the pressure chamber 312 can be performed by the control circuit 100.

[0190] 6. Correction of the detection temperature and the drive signal VOUT of the ejection module

[0191] In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the viscosity of the ink stored in the ejecting module 22 of the print head 20 varies depending on the temperature of the ink. Such a change in the viscosity of the ink greatly affects the ejection characteristics of the ink from the print head 20, and thus greatly affects the image quality formed on the medium P. Therefore, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is estimated from the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 is corrected depending on the estimated temperature of the ink. Thus, even in the case where the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 has changed, the possibility that the ejection amount of the ink ejected from the ejecting module 22 deviates is reduced, and thus the image quality formed on the medium P on which the ink lands is improved. Therefore, the following describes a specific example of the correction method of the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT based on the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 in the present embodiment.

[0192] As described above, the drive signal VOUT is generated by selecting or deselecting the signal waveform of the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50. Therefore, in describing the correction of the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT, first, an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50 is described, and then, an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is in the normal temperature range, an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is higher than the upper threshold value Th of the normal temperature range, and an example of the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is lower than the lower threshold value Tl of the normal temperature range are described, respectively. Here, in the following description, the case where the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is in the normal temperature range is sometimes simply referred to as the case where the ink is at a normal temperature, the case where the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is higher than the upper threshold value Th of the normal temperature range is sometimes simply referred to as the case where the ink is at a high temperature, and the case where the temperature of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 is lower than the lower threshold value Tl of the normal temperature range is sometimes simply referred to as the case where the ink is at a low temperature.

[0193] In addition, in the present embodiment, it is described that the viscosity of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 decreases when the temperature of the ink is at a high temperature, and the viscosity of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 increases when the temperature of the ink is at a low temperature, as compared with the viscosity of the ink when the temperature of the ink is at a normal temperature. That is, the case where the temperature of the ink is at a high temperature includes the meaning of the case where the viscosity of the ink is at a low viscosity, and the case where the temperature of the ink is at a low temperature includes the meaning of the case where the viscosity of the ink is at a high viscosity.

[0194] Figure 14is a drawing showing an example of a signal waveform of the drive signal COM output from the drive circuit 50. As shown in Figure 14 the drive signal COM is a signal including signal waveforms that make the trapezoidal waveforms Adp, Bdp, Cdp, and Ddp continuous, in which the trapezoidal waveform Adp is configured within a period tl from when the latch signal LAT rises until when the changeover signal CH rises, the trapezoidal waveform Bdp is configured within a period t2 from immediately after the period tl until when the changeover signal CH next rises, the trapezoidal waveform Cdp is configured within a period t3 from immediately after the period t2 until when the changeover signal CH next rises, and the trapezoidal waveform Ddp is configured within a period t4 from immediately after the period t3 until when the latch signal LAT next rises.

[0195] The trapezoidal waveform Adp is a signal waveform that drives the piezoelectric element 60 in such a way that a larger amount of ink than a prescribed amount is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature. The trapezoidal waveform Bdp is a signal waveform that drives the piezoelectric element 60 in such a way that a prescribed amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature. The trapezoidal waveform Cdp is a signal waveform that drives the piezoelectric element 60 in such a way that a smaller amount of ink than the prescribed amount is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature. The trapezoidal waveform Ddp is a signal waveform that is constantly at the voltage Vc and does not drive the piezoelectric element 60 to eject ink from the corresponding nozzle 321 even when supplied to the piezoelectric element 60. Here, in the following description, the amount of ink that is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the piezoelectric element 60 is supplied with the trapezoidal waveform Adp when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature is sometimes referred to as a large degree amount, the amount of ink that is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the piezoelectric element 60 is supplied with the trapezoidal waveform Bdp when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature is sometimes referred to as a medium degree amount, and the amount of ink that is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 when the piezoelectric element 60 is supplied with the trapezoidal waveform Cdp when the temperature of the ink is the normal temperature is sometimes referred to as a small degree amount.

[0196] In addition, as shown in Figure 14 the voltage values of the start timing and the end timing of each of the trapezoidal waveforms Adp, Bdp, and Cdp are all the voltage Vc. That is, the trapezoidal waveforms Adp, Bdp, Cdp, and Ddp all start at the voltage Vc and end at the voltage Vc. Also, in the period tp constituted by the periods tl to t4, a new dot is formed on the medium P.

[0197] First, an example of the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the normal temperature, that is, when the temperature of the corresponding pressure chamber 312 is lower than the upper threshold value Th and higher than the lower threshold value Tl, will be described.

[0198] Figure 15is a diagram showing an example of the head control signal DI inputted to the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at a normal temperature. Here, as described above, the ejection control signal SI included in the head control signal DI specifies the amount of ink ejected under the drive of the piezoelectric element 60. Therefore, the logic level of the ejection control signal SI is appropriately changed during the printing in which the liquid ejection device 1 ejects ink to form a desired image on the medium P. That is, the logic level of the ejection data [SIH, SIL] included in the ejection control signal SI is changed to either 0 or 1 according to the amount of ink ejected in each cycle tp based on the image formed on the medium P. Therefore, in the head control signal DI, the ejection data [SIH, SIL] included in the ejection control signal SI is changed to "0" "0" "1" "1" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" in the order of the head 1, the head 2, the head 3, the head 4, the head 5, the head 6, the head 7, the head 8, the head 9, the head 10, the head 11, the head 12, the head 13, the head 14, the head 15, the head 16, and the head 17, respectively. Figure 15 In the head control signal DI, only the specific logic level of the waveform selection signal SP is illustrated, and the specific logic level of the ejection control signal SI is omitted.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 17, when the ink is at a normal temperature, the head control signal DI including the set information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is inputted to the drive signal selection circuit 200. That is, the control circuit 100 outputs the head control signal DI including the set information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 of "1" "1" "0" "0" "1" "0" "1" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0" "0", respectively. Figure 15

[0200] Accordingly, the selection control signal generating section 262 included in the control logic circuit 260 generates the selection control signal Q0 [SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03] = [1, 1, 0, 0], the selection control signal Q1 [SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13] = [1, 0, 1, 0], the selection control signal Q2 [SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23] = [0, 0, 0, 0], the selection control signal Q3 [SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] = [0, 0, 0, 0], and outputs them to the decoder 226.

[0201] Figure 16 ​This diagram illustrates a specific example of the decoding content of the decoder 226 when a head control signal DI containing the aforementioned waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. Furthermore, the decoder 226 of this embodiment will be described as outputting a selection signal S at level H when the logic level of the corresponding setting information SP33-SP30, SP23-SP20, SP13-SP10, and SP03-SP00 is "1", and outputting a selection signal S at level L when the logic level of the corresponding setting information SP33-SP30, SP23-SP20, SP13-SP10, and SP03-SP00 is "0".

[0202] like Figure 16 As shown, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level H, H, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Furthermore, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level H, L, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, H, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when inputting latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 0] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] into the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, L, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, t4.

[0203] Figure 17 It means that it was supplied Figure 16 The diagram shown is a diagram of the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit 230 when the selection signal S is shown, and it is an example of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at normal temperature.

[0204] like Figure 17As shown, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes H level during the period tl, H level during the period t2, L level during the period t3, and L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are conducted during the period tl, conducted during the period t2, non-conducted during the period t3, and non-conducted during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which becomes the trapezoidal waveform Adp during the period tl, the trapezoidal waveform Bdp during the period t2, constant voltage Vc during the period t3, and constant voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0205] Further, by supplying the above-described drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, a large amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a medium amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, no ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. Therefore, the large amount of ink and the medium amount of ink land on the medium P. At this time, the dot formed by the ink landing on the medium P is referred to as a large dot.

[0206] In addition, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes H level during the period tl, L level during the period t2, L level during the period t3, and L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are conducted during the period tl, non-conducted during the period t2, non-conducted during the period t3, and non-conducted during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which becomes the trapezoidal waveform Adp during the period tl, constant voltage Vc during the period t2, constant voltage Vc during the period t3, and constant voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0207] Further, by supplying the above-described drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, a large amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, no ink is ejected during the period t2, no ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. Therefore, the large amount of ink lands on the medium P. At this time, the dot formed by the ink landing on the medium P is referred to as a medium dot which is smaller than the large dot.

[0208] In addition, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period tl, the H level during the period t2, the L level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period tl, conductive during the period t2, non-conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Bdp during the period t2, is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0209] Further, by supplying the above-described drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, the ink is not ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a moderate amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, the ink is not ejected during the period t3, and the ink is not ejected during the period t4. Therefore, a moderate amount of ink lands on the medium P. At this time, the dot formed by the ink landing on the medium P is referred to as a small dot which is smaller than a medium dot.

[0210] In addition, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period tl, the L level during the period t2, the L level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period tl, non-conductive during the period t2, non-conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t2, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t3, and constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4. Therefore, the ink is not ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321, and no dot is formed on the medium P.

[0211] Next, an example of the drive signal VOUT output by the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the high temperature, i.e., when the temperature of the corresponding pressure chamber 312 is higher than the upper threshold value Th, will be described.

[0212] Figure 18 is a view showing an example of the head control signal DI input to the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the high temperature. Here, in Figure 18 , the specific logic level with respect to the waveform selection signal SP is illustrated based on the same reason as in the case of Figure 15 , and the specific logic level of the ejection control signal SI is omitted.

[0213] As described above, the drive signal selection circuit 200 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Bdp during the period t2, is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4 when the ink is at the normal temperature. Figure 18As shown, when the ink is high temperature, the head control signal DI in which the waveform selection signal SP containing the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "1", "0", "0", "1", "1", "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0" is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. That is, the control circuit 100 outputs the head control signal DI in which the waveform selection signal SP containing the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "1", "0", "0", "1", "1", "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0".

[0214] Thus, the selection control signal generating section 262 contained in the control logic circuit 260 generates the selection control signal Q0[SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03] = [1, 0, 0, 0], the selection control signal Q1[SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13] = [0, 1, 0, 0], the selection control signal Q2[SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23] = [1, 1, 1, 0], the selection control signal Q3[SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] = [0, 0, 0, 0], and outputs them to the decoder 226.

[0215] Figure 19 is a view showing a specific example of the decoding contents of the decoder 226 when the head control signal DI containing the above-described waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. As shown, when the ink is high temperature, the head control signal DI in which the waveform selection signal SP containing the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "1", "0", "0", "1", "1", "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0" is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. That is, the control circuit 100 outputs the head control signal DI in which the waveform selection signal SP containing the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33 is "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "1", "0", "0", "1", "1", "1", "0", "0", "0", "0", "0". Figure 19As shown, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level H, L, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Furthermore, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, H, H, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, L, H, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when inputting latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] into the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, L, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, t4.

[0216] Figure 20 It means that it was supplied Figure 19 The diagram shown is a diagram of the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit 230 when the selection signal S is shown, and it is an example of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at a high temperature.

[0217] like Figure 20 As shown, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to decoder 226, the logic level of selection signal S becomes H level during period t1, L level during period t2, H level during period t3, and L level during period t4. Therefore, the input and output terminals of selection circuit 230 are connected during period t1, not connected during period t2, connected during period t3, and not connected during period t4. As a result, selection circuit 230 outputs a drive signal VOUT that is a trapezoidal waveform Adp during period t1, a constant voltage Vc during period t2, a trapezoidal waveform Cdp during period t3, and a constant voltage Vc during period t4.

[0218] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, a large amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, no ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the high temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of the ejected ink is reduced compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0219] Further, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period tl, the H level during the period t2, the H level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period tl, conductive during the period t2, conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Bdp during the period t2, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Cdp during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0220] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, no ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a medium amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the high temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of the ejected ink is reduced compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0221] Further, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period tl, the H level during the period t2, the H level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period tl, conductive during the period t2, conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Bdp during the period t2, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Cdp during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0222] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature, no ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period t1, no ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the high temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of the ejected ink is reduced compared to the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0223] In addition, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period t1, the L level during the period t2, the L level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period t1, non-conductive during the period t2, non-conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t1, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t2, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t3, and constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4. Therefore, no ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321, and no dot is formed on the medium P.

[0224] As described above, the viscosity of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 decreases at the time when the ink temperature is at the high temperature. That is, in the case where the same waveform of the drive signal VOUT as at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 at the time when the ink temperature is at the high temperature, the amount of the ejected ink increases. In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the high temperature is corrected by the waveform selection signal SP so that the amount of the ejected ink is reduced compared to the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature. Thus, even in the case where the ink becomes the high temperature and the viscosity decreases, the amount of the ejected ink is corrected to the same degree.

[0225] Next, an example of the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the low temperature, that is, at the time when the temperature of the corresponding pressure chamber 312 is lower than the lower threshold value Tl, will be described.

[0226] Figure 21 is a view showing an example of the head control signal DI input to the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the low temperature. Here, in Figure 21 , the waveform of the drive signal VOUT is determined based on the waveform of the head control signal DI and the waveform of the waveform selection signal SP. Figure 15For the same reason, only the specific logic level of the waveform selection signal SP is shown in the diagram, while the specific logic level of the ejection control signal SI is omitted.

[0227] like Figure 21 As shown, when the ink is at a low temperature, the drive signal selection circuit 200 receives a head control signal DI containing the setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, and SP33, which are respectively “1”, “1”, “0”, “0”, “1”, “0”, “1”, “0”, “1”, “1”, “1”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”, and “0” respectively. That is, the control circuit 100 outputs a header control signal DI containing waveform selection signals SP of setting information SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13, SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23, SP30, SP31, SP32, and SP33, which are respectively “1”, “1”, “0”, “0”, “1”, “0”, “1”, “0”, “1”, “1”, “1”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”, “0”.

[0228] Therefore, the selection control signal generation unit 262 included in the control logic circuit 260 generates selection control signals Q0[SP00, SP01, SP02, SP03] = [1, 1, 0, 0], selection control signals Q1[SP10, SP11, SP12, SP13] = [1, 0, 1, 0], selection control signals Q2[SP20, SP21, SP22, SP23] = [1, 1, 1, 0], and selection control signals Q3[SP30, SP31, SP32, SP33] = [0, 0, 0, 0], and outputs them to the decoder 226.

[0229] Figure 22 This diagram illustrates a specific example of the decoding content of the decoder 226 when a head control signal DI containing the aforementioned waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200. (See diagram for example.) Figure 22As shown, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level H, H, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Furthermore, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level H, L, H, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 1] is input to decoder 226, decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, H, H, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, and t4. Additionally, when inputting latched data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 1] corresponding to the ejected data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] into the decoder 226, the decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S that is at level L, L, L, L during the periods t1, t2, t3, t4.

[0230] Figure 23 It means that it was supplied Figure 22 The diagram shown is a diagram of the drive signal VOUT output from the selection circuit 230 when the selection signal S is shown, and it is an example of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at a high temperature.

[0231] like Figure 23 As shown, when latched data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to decoder 226, the logic level of selection signal S becomes H level during period t1, H level during period t2, H level during period t3, and L level during period t4. Therefore, the input and output terminals of selection circuit 230 are connected during period t1, connected during period t2, connected during period t3, and not connected during period t4. As a result, selection circuit 230 outputs a drive signal VOUT that is a trapezoidal waveform Adp during period t1, a trapezoidal waveform Bdp during period t2, a trapezoidal waveform Cdp during period t3, and a constant voltage Vc during period t4.

[0232] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, a large amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a medium amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 1] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the low temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of ejection of the ink is increased compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0233] Further, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the H level during the period tl, the L level during the period t2, the H level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are conducted during the period tl, non-conducted during the period t2, conducted during the period t3, and non-conducted during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which becomes the trapezoidal waveform Adp during the period tl, is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t2, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Cdp during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0234] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 when the ink is at the normal temperature, a large amount of ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a medium amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the low temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of ejection of the ink is decreased compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0235] Further, when the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the H level during the period tl, the L level during the period t2, the H level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are conducted during the period tl, non-conducted during the period t2, conducted during the period t3, and non-conducted during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which becomes the trapezoidal waveform Adp during the period tl, is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t2, becomes the trapezoidal waveform Cdp during the period t3, and is constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4.

[0236] If the above-described drive signal VOUT is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature, no ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321 during the period tl, a middle amount of ink is ejected during the period t2, a small amount of ink is ejected during the period t3, and no ink is ejected during the period t4. That is, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [1, 0] is input to the decoder 226, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the low temperature is corrected in such a manner that the amount of the ejected ink is reduced compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature.

[0237] In addition, in the case where the latch data [LTa, LTb] = [0, 0] is input to the decoder 226, the logic level of the selection signal S becomes the L level during the period tl, the L level during the period t2, the L level during the period t3, and the L level during the period t4. Therefore, the input terminal and the output terminal of the selection circuit 230 are non-conductive during the period tl, non-conductive during the period t2, non-conductive during the period t3, and non-conductive during the period t4. As a result, the selection circuit 230 outputs the drive signal VOUT which is constant at the voltage Vc during the period tl, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t2, constant at the voltage Vc during the period t3, and constant at the voltage Vc during the period t4. Therefore, no ink is ejected from the corresponding nozzle 321, and no dot is formed on the medium P.

[0238] As described above, the viscosity of the ink stored in the pressure chamber 312 increases at the time when the ink temperature is at the low temperature. That is, in the case where the same waveform of the drive signal VOUT as at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 at the time when the ink temperature is at the low temperature, the amount of the ejected ink is reduced. In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, if the temperatures of the ejected inks are the same, the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the low temperature is corrected by the waveform selection signal SP so that the amount of the ejected ink is increased compared with the drive signal VOUT output from the drive signal selection circuit 200 at the time when the ink is at the normal temperature. Thus, even in the case where the ink becomes the low temperature and the viscosity increases, the amount of the ejected ink is corrected to be the same degree.

[0239] As described above, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DI that controls the ejection of ink from the ejection module 22 of the print head 20 is updated in accordance with whether the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the above-described resistance wiring 401, which is the temperature detection circuit 24 included in the ejection module 22 of the print head 20, is higher than the upper limit threshold Th and lower than the lower limit threshold Tl. Thus, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 can be corrected in accordance with the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the above-described resistance wiring 401 without adjusting the voltage values of the trapezoidal waveforms Adp, Bdp, Cdp, Ddp included in the drive signal COM supplied to the ejection module 22.

[0240] Thus, even in the case where the print head 20 has the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n as the plurality of ejection modules 22 and the drive signal COM is commonly supplied to each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n as in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 included in each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n can be corrected in accordance with the head control signal DI independently input to each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n. As a result, each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n can be optimally corrected in accordance with the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 of each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n, and thus the ejection precision of ink ejected from each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n can be improved.

[0241] That is, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment has the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n. Also, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 included in the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information of Th or lower and Tl or higher, and the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] included in the head control signal DI 1 is the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] = [1, 1] for ejecting large and medium amounts of ink, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 included in the ejection module 22-1 outputs the waveform selection signal SP corresponding to the waveform of the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 included in the ejection module 22-1. Figure 17corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI1 is the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting the large amount and the middle amount of ink, and the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing. Figure 20 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI1 is the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting the large amount and the middle amount of ink, and the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing. Figure 23 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing.

[0242] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI1 is the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting the large amount and the middle amount of ink, and the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing. Figure 17 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI1 is the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting the large amount and the middle amount of ink, and the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] shown in the drawing. Figure 20corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] illustrated in the drawing, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] illustrated in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold value Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI2 is ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting a large amount and a middle amount of ink, and the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] illustrated in the drawing, when the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold value Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI2 is ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] for ejecting a large amount and a middle amount of ink. Figure 23 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] illustrated in the drawing.

[0243] Thus, even in the case where the print head 20 has the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 and the common drive signal COM is supplied to each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT[i] supplied to the piezoelectric element 60[i] possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 can be corrected in accordance with the head control signal DI1, DI2 independently input to each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2. As a result, each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 can be subjected to optimal correction corresponding to the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 of each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2, and thus the ink ejection accuracy from each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 can be improved.

[0244] Further, in the liquid ejection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information lower than the lower limit threshold value Tl and the ejection data [SIH, SIl] included in the head control signal DI1 is ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 0] for ejecting a large amount of ink, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 outputs the drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 0] illustrated in the drawing. Figure 17 corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIl] = [1, 1] illustrated in the drawing. Figure 20The drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown is used when the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 of the ejection module 22-1 includes temperature information below the lower threshold Tl, and the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] contained in the head control signal DI1 is the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] = [1, 0] for ejecting a large amount of ink. The corresponding selection circuit 230[i] in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of the ejection module 22-1 outputs the same signal. Figure 23 The ejection data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown corresponds to the drive signal VOUT[i].

[0245] Furthermore, when the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 of the ejection module 22-2 includes temperature information below the upper threshold Th and above the lower threshold Tl, and the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] contained in the head control signal DI2 is ejection data [SIHi, SILi] = [1, 0] for ejecting a large amount of ink, the corresponding selection circuit 230[i] included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of the ejection module 22-2 outputs and Figure 17 The drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown is used when the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 of the ejection module 22-2 includes temperature information higher than the upper limit threshold Th, and the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] contained in the head control signal DI2 is the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] = [1, 0] for ejecting a large amount of ink. The corresponding selection circuit 230[i] in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of the ejection module 22-2 outputs the same signal. Figure 20 The drive signal VOUT[i] corresponding to the ejection data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown is used when the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 of the ejection module 22-2 includes temperature information below the lower threshold Tl, and the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] contained in the head control signal DI2 is the ejection data [SIHi, SILi] = [1, 0] for ejecting a large amount of ink. The corresponding selection circuit 230[i] in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of the ejection module 22-2 outputs the same signal. Figure 23 The ejection data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown corresponds to the drive signal VOUT[i].

[0246] Thus, even if the print head 20 is configured to be capable of printing in multiple gradations, even in the case where the print head 20 has the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 and the common drive signal COM is supplied to each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT[i] supplied to the piezoelectric element 60[i] possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 can be corrected in accordance with the head control signal DI1, DI2 individually input to each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2. As a result, each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 can be subjected to optimal correction corresponding to the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2, and thus the ink ejection accuracy from each of the ejection modules 22-1, 22-2 is improved.

[0247] Here, the trapezoidal waveforms Adp, Bdp, Cdp, Ddp are an example of a plurality of drive waveforms, the drive signal COM and the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM are an example of a drive signal, the drive circuit 50 outputting the drive signal COM is an example of a drive signal output circuit, the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first ejection module, and the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second ejection module.

[0248] In addition, the electrode 360 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first electrode, the electrode 380 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a second electrode, the piezoelectric body 370 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric element 60 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first piezoelectric element, the vibration plate 350 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first vibration plate, the pressure chamber substrate 310 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first pressure chamber substrate, the pressure chamber 312 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first pressure chamber, the selection circuit 230 included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first switching circuit, the wiring substrate 420 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first wiring substrate, and the temperature detection circuit 24 and the resistance wiring 401 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 are an example of a first temperature detection unit.

[0249] In addition, the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first drive voltage signal, the temperature detection information TH1 output by the temperature detection circuit 24 and the resistance wiring 401 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 is an example of first temperature information, the head control signal DI1 input to the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first ejection information signal, the ejection data [SIH, SIL] included in the head control signal DI1 is an example of first ejection data, and the Z-axis direction in the ejection module 22-1 is an example of a first layer stacking direction.

[0250] Further, the electrode 360 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a third electrode, the electrode 380 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a fourth electrode, the piezoelectric body 370 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second piezoelectric body, the piezoelectric element 60 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second piezoelectric element, the vibration plate 350 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second vibration plate, the pressure chamber substrate 310 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second pressure chamber substrate, the pressure chamber 312 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second pressure chamber, the selection circuit 230 included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second switching circuit, the wiring substrate 420 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second wiring substrate, and the temperature detection circuit 24 and the resistance wiring 401 of the ejection module 22-2 are an example of a second temperature detection unit.

[0251] Further, the drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second drive voltage signal, the temperature detection information TH2 output from the temperature detection circuit 24 and the resistance wiring 401 of the ejection module 22-2 is an example of second temperature information, the head control signal DI2 is an example of a second ejection information signal, the ejection data [SIH, SIL] included in the head control signal DI2 is an example of second ejection data, and the Z-axis direction in the ejection module 22-2 is an example of a second layering direction.

[0252] Further, the temperature range between the lower limit threshold value Tl and the upper limit threshold value Th is an example of a first temperature range, the temperature range lower than the lower limit threshold value Tl or higher than the upper limit threshold value Th is an example of a second temperature range, the ejection amount of the ink in which the large amount and the medium amount are combined is an example of a first ejection amount, the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] is a first value, the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] is a second value, and the ejection amount of the ink of the large amount is an example of a second ejection amount. Figure 17 The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a first drive waveform, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a second drive waveform, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a third drive waveform. Figure 20 The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a first drive waveform, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a second drive waveform, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a third drive waveform. Figure 23 The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a first drive waveform, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a second drive waveform, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a third drive waveform. Figure 17 The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a first drive waveform, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a second drive waveform, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a third drive waveform. Figure 20 The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 1] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a first drive waveform, the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a second drive waveform, and the signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the print data [SIH, SIL] = [0, 0] shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a third drive waveform. Figure 23The signal waveform of the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the indicated print data [SIH, SIL] = [1, 0] is an example of the fourth drive waveform, the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DI1 is an example of the first waveform selection data, the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DI2 is an example of the second waveform selection data, the period tp[p] is an example of the first ejection period, the period tp[p+1] is an example of the second ejection period, and the period tp[p+3] is an example of the first ejection period.

[0253] 7. Detection timing of the temperature of the ejection module and correction timing of the drive signal VOUT

[0254] Use Figure 24 An example of the detection timing at which the control circuit 100 detects the temperature of the ejection module 22, i.e., the output timing at which the print head 20 outputs the temperature of the ejection module 22, and the correction timing of the drive signal VOUT based on the obtained temperature of the ejection module 22 in the liquid ejection apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. Figure 24 is a chart indicating an example of the acquisition timing of the temperature information signal TI and the correction timing of the drive signal VOUT.

[0255] As Figure 24 indicated, the control circuit 100 generates a temperature acquisition request signal TD for acquiring the temperature of each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n possessed by the print head 20 during the period t4 within the period tp and outputs the temperature acquisition request signal TD to the temperature information output circuit 26. The temperature information output circuit 26 generates a temperature information signal TI including the temperature detection information TH1 to THn detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n in accordance with the temperature acquisition request signal TD input from the control circuit 100 and outputs the temperature information signal TI to the control circuit 100.

[0256] Here, the period t4 is a period during which the drive circuit 50 outputs a signal constant at the voltage Vc as the drive signal COM, and further Figure 14 , as indicated, is a period during which the drive circuit 50 outputs a signal constant at the voltage Vc as the drive signal COM, and further Figure 16 , Figure 19 , Figure 22 is a period during which the selection circuit 230 is controlled to be non-conductive and the signal waveform included in the drive signal COM is not output as the drive signal VOUT. That is, the control circuit 100 acquires the temperature information signal TI including the temperature detection information TH1 to THn detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 during the period t4 during which the voltage value of the drive signal COM is constant and the period during which the selection circuit 230 does not supply the drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60.

[0257] The control circuit 100 compares the temperature detection information TH1 to THn included in the temperature information signal TI obtained in the period t4 in any period tp[p] within the period tp, with the upper threshold value Th and the lower threshold value Tl, respectively. Also, the control circuit 100 outputs the head control signal DI1 including the waveform selection signal SP corresponding to the comparison result of the temperature detection information TH1 and the upper threshold value Th and the lower threshold value Tl, outputs the head control signal DI2 including the waveform selection signal SP corresponding to the comparison result of the temperature detection information TH2 and the upper threshold value Th and the lower threshold value Tl, and outputs the head control signal DIn including the waveform selection signal SP corresponding to the comparison result of the temperature detection information THn and the upper threshold value Th and the lower threshold value Tl, in the period tp[p+1] immediately after the period tp[p].

[0258] That is, the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DI1 is updated in the period tp[p+1] immediately after the period tp[p] in accordance with the temperature detection information TH1 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 in the period t4 included in the period tp[p] during which the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 does not supply the piezoelectric element 60 with the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM and during which the voltage value of the drive signal COM is constant, the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DI2 is updated in the period tp[p+1] immediately after the period tp[p] in accordance with the temperature detection information TH2 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 in the period t4 included in the period tp[p] during which the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 does not supply the piezoelectric element 60 with the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM and during which the voltage value of the drive signal COM is constant, and the waveform selection signal SP included in the head control signal DIn is updated in the period tp[p+1] immediately after the period tp[p] in accordance with the temperature detection information THn detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 possessed by the ejection module 22-n in the period t4 included in the period tp[p] during which the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-n does not supply the piezoelectric element 60 with the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM and during which the voltage value of the drive signal COM is constant.

[0259] Further, the head control signal DI1 including the updated waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200 and the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-1 in the period tp[p+2] immediately after the period tp[p+1], the head control signal DI2 including the updated waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200 and the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-2 in the period tp[p+2] immediately after the period tp[p+1], and the head control signal DIn including the updated waveform selection signal SP is input to the drive signal selection circuit 200 and the selection circuit 230 possessed by the ejection module 22-n in the period tp[p+2] immediately after the period tp[p+1].

[0260] The drive signal selection circuit 200 possessed by each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n generates a drive signal VOUT based on the input head control signal DI1 to DIn and outputs to the corresponding piezoelectric element 60. As a result, the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n respectively eject ink in accordance with the drive signal VOUT corresponding to the temperature of the ink stored in each of the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n. As a result, the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n can respectively eject ink with high accuracy, and as a result, the image quality formed on the medium P is improved.

[0261] Further, in the liquid ejection apparatus 1 and the print head 20 of the present embodiment, the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature detection circuit 24 can be arranged in the vicinity of the pressure chamber 312, and as a result, the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 can be detected with high accuracy. By correcting the waveform of the drive signal VOUT in accordance with the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 thus detected with high accuracy, the ejection modules 22-1 to 22-n can respectively eject ink with high accuracy, and as a result, the image quality formed on the medium P is improved.

[0262] On the other hand, since the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature detection circuit 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the pressure chamber 312, there is a possibility that the wiring that transmits the drive signal VOUT is located in the vicinity of the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature detection circuit 24. Moreover, if the wiring that transmits the drive signal VOUT is located in the vicinity of the resistance wiring 401 as the temperature detection circuit 24, the drive signal VOUT can interfere with the temperature detection information TH of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24, and thus the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 can be reduced. In view of such a problem, the waveform selection signal SP is updated based on the temperature detection information TH detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 during a period in which the selection circuit 230 does not supply the piezoelectric element 60 with the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM and during a period in which the voltage value of the drive signal COM is constant, and thus the possibility that the drive signal VOUT interferes with the temperature detection information TH used to update the waveform selection signal SP is reduced. As a result, the possibility that the detection accuracy of the temperature of the pressure chamber 312 detected by the temperature detection circuit 24 is reduced is reduced.

[0263] The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely exemplary of the application and should not be treated as limiting. Various changes can be made to the embodiments and modifications without departing from the scope of the application, as defined by the appended claims.

[0264] The present application includes configurations substantially the same as those described in the embodiments (for example, configurations having the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations having the same objects and effects). In addition, the present application includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. In addition, the present application includes configurations that can achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or configurations that can achieve the same objects. In addition, the present application includes configurations in which publicly known technologies are added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0265] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiments.

[0266] A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a drive signal output circuit that outputs a drive signal including a plurality of drive waveforms, and a print head that receives the drive signal and ejects a liquid, the print head including a first ejection module including a first piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body, the first piezoelectric body being located between the first electrode and the second electrode in a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric element being driven by receiving a first drive voltage signal based on the drive signal, a first vibration plate located on one side of the first piezoelectric element in the first stacking direction and deformed by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction and provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volumes change according to the deformation of the first vibration plate, a first switching circuit that outputs the first drive voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a first ejection information signal including first ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first wiring substrate provided with the first switching circuit, and a first temperature detection portion located on the other side of the first vibration plate in the first stacking direction, electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detecting first temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the first pressure chambers, and a second ejection module including a second piezoelectric element including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body being located between the third electrode and the fourth electrode in a second stacking direction in which the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body are stacked, the second piezoelectric element being driven by receiving a second drive voltage signal based on the drive signal, a second vibration plate located on one side of the second piezoelectric element in the second stacking direction and deformed by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second pressure chamber substrate located on one side of the second vibration plate in the second stacking direction and provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volumes change according to the deformation of the second vibration plate, a second switching circuit that outputs the second drive voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of drive waveforms according to a second ejection information signal including second ejection data that specifies an ejection amount of the liquid ejected by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second wiring substrate provided with the second switching circuit.and a second temperature detection section that is located on the other side of the second vibration plate with respect to the second stacking direction, is electrically connected to the second wiring substrate, and detects second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber, wherein when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within a first temperature range and the first ejection data is a first value for ejecting a liquid in the first droplet amount, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a first drive waveform, when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within a second temperature range and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a second drive waveform different from the first drive waveform, when the second temperature information includes information on a temperature within the first temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the first drive waveform, and when the second temperature information includes information on a temperature within the second temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the second drive waveform.

[0267] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the first ejection module and the second ejection module that eject a liquid according to one drive signal are provided, and the first drive voltage signal of the first ejection module can be corrected according to the first temperature information, and the second drive voltage signal of the second ejection module can be corrected according to the second temperature information. That is, the temperature correction can be independently performed on the plurality of ejection modules to which one drive signal is input, and the ejection precision of the ink from the print head is improved.

[0268] In one embodiment of the liquid ejection apparatus described above, at least a part of the first temperature detection section can be stacked on the first vibration plate, and at least a part of the second temperature detection section can be stacked on the second vibration plate.

[0269] According to the liquid ejection apparatus, the detection precision of the first temperature information and the second temperature information is improved by locating the temperature detection sections in the vicinity of the pressure chambers.

[0270] In one embodiment of the liquid ejection apparatus described above, when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within the first temperature range and the first ejection data is a second value for ejecting a liquid in a second droplet amount different from the first droplet amount, the first switching circuit can output the first drive voltage signal including a third drive waveform, and when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within the second temperature range and the first ejection data is the second value, the first switching circuit can output the first drive voltage signal including a fourth drive waveform different from the third drive waveform.

[0271] According to the liquid discharge device, even in a case where a plurality of drive waveforms are selected to achieve a plurality of gray scales, the temperature correction can be independently performed on a plurality of discharge modules to which one drive signal is input, and the discharge precision of ink from the print head is improved.

[0272] In one embodiment of the liquid discharge device described above, the first discharge information signal can include the first discharge data that specifies the discharge amount of liquid discharged under driving of the first piezoelectric element, and first waveform selection data that corresponds to the discharge amount of liquid discharged under driving of the first piezoelectric element and specifies selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms, and the second discharge information signal can include the second discharge data that specifies the discharge amount of liquid discharged under driving of the second piezoelectric element, and second waveform selection data that corresponds to the discharge amount of liquid discharged under driving of the second piezoelectric element and specifies selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms, the first waveform selection data is updated based on the first temperature information, and the second waveform selection data is updated based on the second temperature information.

[0273] According to the liquid discharge device, by supplying the first discharge data and the first waveform selection data as one first discharge control signal and supplying the second discharge data and the second waveform selection data as one second discharge control signal, timing adjustment of signals becomes easy, and efficient correction can be achieved.

[0274] In one embodiment of the liquid discharge device described above, the first waveform selection data can be updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection section during a period in which the first switching circuit does not supply the first drive voltage signal to the first piezoelectric element, and the second waveform selection data can be updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection section during a period in which the second switching circuit does not supply the second drive voltage signal to the second piezoelectric element.

[0275] According to the liquid discharge device, by reducing the possibility that the first drive voltage signal interferes with the first temperature information and reducing the possibility that the second drive voltage signal interferes with the second temperature information, the accuracy of acquisition of the first temperature information and the second temperature information is improved.

[0276] In one embodiment of the liquid discharge device described above, the first waveform selection data can be updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection section during a period in which the voltage value of the drive signal is constant, and the second waveform selection data can be updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection section during a period in which the voltage value of the drive signal is constant.

[0277] According to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first temperature information and the second temperature information are acquired with high accuracy by reducing the possibility of interference between the first drive signal and the first temperature information and reducing the possibility of interference between the second drive signal and the second temperature information.

[0278] In one embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus described above, the first waveform selection data included in the first ejection information signal can be updated in the second ejection period next to the first ejection period based on the first temperature information obtained in the first ejection period, the first ejection information signal including the updated first waveform selection data can be input to the first switching circuit in the third ejection period next to the second ejection period, the second waveform selection data included in the second ejection information signal can be updated in the second ejection period next to the first ejection period based on the second temperature information obtained in the first ejection period, and the second ejection information signal including the updated second waveform selection data can be input to the second switching circuit in the third ejection period next to the second ejection period.

[0279] According to the liquid ejecting apparatus, during the period in which ink is ejected from the print head, the first drive voltage signal of the first ejection module can be corrected based on the first temperature information, and the second drive voltage signal of the second ejection module can be corrected based on the second temperature information, so that the correction accuracy is improved.

[0280] A print head of one embodiment receives a drive signal including a plurality of drive waveforms output from a drive signal output circuit and ejects liquid, the print head includes a first ejection module and a second ejection module, the first ejection module includes a first piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body, the first piezoelectric body is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode in a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric element receives a first drive voltage signal based on the drive signal and is driven, a first vibration plate is positioned on one side in the first stacking direction with respect to the first piezoelectric element and is deformed by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first pressure chamber substrate is positioned on one side in the first stacking direction with respect to the first vibration plate and is provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volumes change in accordance with the deformation of the first vibration plate, a first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or non-selecting the plurality of drive waveforms in accordance with a first ejection information signal, the first ejection information signal includes first ejection data which defines an ejection amount of liquid ejected by driving of the first piezoelectric element, a first wiring substrate is provided with the first switching circuit, and a first temperature detection portion is positioned on the other side in the first stacking direction with respect to the first vibration plate, electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detects first temperature information corresponding to a temperature of the first pressure chamber, the second ejection module includes a second piezoelectric element including a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body is positioned between the third electrode and the fourth electrode in a second stacking direction in which the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body are stacked, the second piezoelectric element receives a second drive voltage signal based on the drive signal and is driven, a second vibration plate is positioned on one side in the second stacking direction with respect to the second piezoelectric element and is deformed by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second pressure chamber substrate is positioned on one side in the second stacking direction with respect to the second vibration plate and is provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volumes change in accordance with the deformation of the second vibration plate, a second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or non-selecting the plurality of drive waveforms in accordance with a second ejection information signal, the second ejection information signal includes second ejection data which defines an ejection amount of liquid ejected by driving of the second piezoelectric element, a second wiring substrate is provided with the second switching circuit.and a second temperature detection section that is located on the other side of the second vibration plate with respect to the second stacking direction, is electrically connected to the second wiring substrate, and detects second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber, wherein when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within a first temperature range and the first ejection data is a first value for ejecting a liquid in the first droplet amount, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a first drive waveform, when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within a second temperature range and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs the first drive voltage signal including a second drive waveform different from the first drive waveform, when the second temperature information includes information on a temperature within the first temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the first drive waveform, and when the second temperature information includes information on a temperature within the second temperature range and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second drive voltage signal including the second drive waveform.

[0281] According to the print head, the first ejection module and the second ejection module that eject a liquid according to one drive signal are provided, and the first drive voltage signal of the first ejection module can be corrected according to the first temperature information, and the second drive voltage signal of the second ejection module can be corrected according to the second temperature information. That is, the temperature correction can be independently performed on the plurality of ejection modules to which one drive signal is input, and thus the ejection precision of the ink is improved.

[0282] In one embodiment of the above-described print head, at least a part of the first temperature detection section can be stacked on the first vibration plate, and at least a part of the second temperature detection section can be stacked on the second vibration plate.

[0283] According to the print head, by locating the temperature detection sections in the vicinity of the pressure chambers, the detection precision of the first temperature information and the second temperature information is improved.

[0284] In one embodiment of the above-described print head, when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within the first temperature range and the first ejection data is a second value for ejecting a liquid in a second droplet amount different from the first droplet amount, the first switching circuit can output the first drive voltage signal including a third drive waveform, and when the first temperature information includes information on a temperature within the second temperature range and the first ejection data is the second value, the first switching circuit can output the first drive voltage signal including a fourth drive waveform different from the third drive waveform.

[0285] According to the print head, even in a case where a plurality of drive waveforms are selected to achieve multi-grayscale, the plurality of ejection modules to which one drive signal is input can be independently subjected to temperature correction, and the ejection precision of ink from the print head is improved.

[0286] In one embodiment of the above-described print head, the first ejection information signal can include the first ejection data that specifies the ejection amount of liquid to be ejected under driving of the first piezoelectric element, and first waveform selection data that corresponds to the ejection amount of liquid to be ejected under driving of the first piezoelectric element and specifies selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms, the second ejection information signal can include the second ejection data that specifies the ejection amount of liquid to be ejected under driving of the second piezoelectric element, and second waveform selection data that corresponds to the ejection amount of liquid to be ejected under driving of the second piezoelectric element and specifies selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms, the first waveform selection data updated based on the first temperature information can be input to the print head, and the second waveform selection data updated based on the second temperature information can be input to the print head.

[0287] According to the print head, by supplying the first ejection data and the first waveform selection data as one first ejection control signal, and supplying the second ejection data and the second waveform selection data as one second ejection control signal, timing adjustment of signals becomes easy, and efficient correction can be achieved.

[0288] In one embodiment of the above-described print head, the first waveform selection data updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection section during a period in which the first switching circuit does not supply the first drive voltage signal to the first piezoelectric element can be input to the print head, and the second waveform selection data updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection section during a period in which the second switching circuit does not supply the second drive voltage signal to the second piezoelectric element can be input to the print head.

[0289] According to the print head, by reducing the possibility of interference between the first drive voltage signal and the first temperature information, and reducing the possibility of interference between the second drive voltage signal and the second temperature information, the accuracy of acquisition of the first temperature information and the second temperature information is improved.

[0290] In one embodiment of the above-described print head, the first waveform selection data updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection section during a period in which the voltage value of the drive signal is constant can be input to the print head, and the second waveform selection data updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection section during a period in which the voltage value of the drive signal is constant can be input to the print head.

[0291] According to the print head, the first temperature information and the second temperature information are acquired with high accuracy by reducing the possibility of interference between the first drive signal and the first temperature information and reducing the possibility of interference between the second drive signal and the second temperature information.

[0292] In one embodiment of the above print head, the first waveform selection data included in the first ejection information signal can be updated in a second ejection period immediately after a first ejection period based on the first temperature information obtained in the first ejection period, the first ejection information signal including the updated first waveform selection data can be input to the first switching circuit in a third ejection period immediately after the second ejection period, the second waveform selection data included in the second ejection information signal can be updated in the second ejection period immediately after the first ejection period based on the second temperature information obtained in the first ejection period, and the second ejection information signal including the updated second waveform selection data can be input to the second switching circuit in the third ejection period immediately after the second ejection period.

[0293] According to the print head, during ejection of ink from the print head, the first drive voltage signal of the first ejection module can be corrected based on the first temperature information, and the second drive voltage signal of the second ejection module can be corrected based on the second temperature information, so that the correction accuracy is improved.

Claims

1. A liquid ejection device, characterized in that, have: The drive signal output circuit outputs a drive signal containing multiple drive waveforms. as well as The print head receives the drive signal and ejects liquid. The print head has a first ejection module and a second ejection module. The first ejection module includes: The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body. In a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric body is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first piezoelectric element is driven by a first driving voltage signal based on the driving signal. The first vibrating plate is located on one side of the first piezoelectric element in the first stacking direction and deforms under the drive of the first piezoelectric element; The first pressure chamber substrate is located on one side of the first stacking direction relative to the first vibrating plate, and is provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volume varies according to the deformation of the first vibrating plate. The first switching circuit outputs the first driving voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of driving waveforms according to the first ejection information signal. The first ejection information signal includes first ejection data that specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element. A first wiring substrate, wherein the first switching circuit is disposed; and A first temperature detection unit is located on the opposite side of the first vibrating plate in the first stacking direction and is electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detects first temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the first pressure chamber. The second ejection module includes: The second piezoelectric element includes a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body. In the second stacking direction of the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body is located between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. The second piezoelectric element is driven by a second driving voltage signal based on the driving signal. The second vibrating plate is located on one side of the second piezoelectric element in the second stacking direction, and deforms under the drive of the second piezoelectric element; The second pressure chamber substrate is located on one side of the second stacking direction relative to the second vibrating plate, and is provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volume varies according to the deformation of the second vibrating plate. The second switching circuit outputs a second driving voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of driving waveforms according to the second ejection information signal. The second ejection information signal includes second ejection data that specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element. The second wiring substrate is provided with the second switching circuit; and The second temperature detection unit is located on the opposite side of the second vibrating plate in the second stacking direction and is electrically connected to the second wiring substrate. It detects second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within a first temperature range, and the first ejection data is a first value of liquid used to eject the first droplet volume, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal including a first driving waveform. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal that includes a second driving waveform different from the first driving waveform. When the second temperature information includes temperature information within the first temperature range, and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs a second driving voltage signal that includes the first driving waveform. When the second temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second driving voltage signal containing the second driving waveform.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the first temperature detection unit is stacked on the first vibrating plate, and at least a portion of the second temperature detection unit is stacked on the second vibrating plate.

3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the first temperature range, and the first ejection data is a second value for ejecting a second droplet volume of liquid different from the first droplet volume, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal containing a third driving waveform. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the first ejection data is the second value, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal that includes a fourth driving waveform different from the third driving waveform.

4. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first ejection information signal includes: The first ejection data specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element; and The first waveform selection data corresponds to the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element, and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of driving waveforms. The second ejection information signal includes: The second ejection data specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element; and The second waveform selection data corresponds to the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element, and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms. The first waveform selection data is updated based on the first temperature information. The second waveform selection data is updated based on the second temperature information.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data is updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection unit during the period when the first switching circuit does not supply the first driving voltage signal to the first piezoelectric element. The second waveform selection data is updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection unit during the period when the second switching circuit does not supply the second driving voltage signal to the second piezoelectric element.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data is updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection unit during the period when the voltage value of the drive signal is constant. The second waveform selection data is updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection unit during the period when the voltage value of the drive signal is constant.

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data included in the first ejection information signal is updated in the second ejection cycle immediately following the first ejection cycle based on the first temperature information obtained in the first ejection cycle. The first ejection information signal, which includes the updated first waveform selection data, is input to the first switching circuit in the third ejection cycle immediately following the second ejection cycle. The second waveform selection data included in the second ejection information signal is updated in the second ejection cycle immediately following the first ejection cycle based on the second temperature information obtained in the first ejection cycle. The second ejection information signal, which includes the updated second waveform selection data, is input to the second switching circuit in the third ejection cycle immediately following the second ejection cycle.

8. A printhead, characterized in that, It receives a drive signal and ejects liquid, the drive signal comprising multiple drive waveforms output by a drive signal output circuit. The print head has a first ejection module and a second ejection module. The first ejection module includes: The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first piezoelectric body. In a first stacking direction in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the first piezoelectric body are stacked, the first piezoelectric body is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first piezoelectric element is driven by a first driving voltage signal based on the driving signal. The first vibrating plate is located on one side of the first piezoelectric element in the first stacking direction and deforms under the drive of the first piezoelectric element; The first pressure chamber substrate is located on one side of the first stacking direction relative to the first vibrating plate, and is provided with a plurality of first pressure chambers whose volume varies according to the deformation of the first vibrating plate. The first switching circuit outputs the first driving voltage signal supplied to the first piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of driving waveforms according to the first ejection information signal. The first ejection information signal includes first ejection data that specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element. A first wiring substrate, wherein the first switching circuit is disposed; and A first temperature detection unit is located on the opposite side of the first vibrating plate in the first stacking direction and is electrically connected to the first wiring substrate, and detects first temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the first pressure chamber. The second ejection module includes: The second piezoelectric element includes a third electrode, a fourth electrode, and a second piezoelectric body. In the second stacking direction of the third electrode, the fourth electrode, and the second piezoelectric body, the second piezoelectric body is located between the third electrode and the fourth electrode. The second piezoelectric element is driven by a second driving voltage signal based on the driving signal. The second vibrating plate is located on one side of the second piezoelectric element in the second stacking direction, and deforms under the drive of the second piezoelectric element; The second pressure chamber substrate is located on one side of the second stacking direction relative to the second vibrating plate, and is provided with a plurality of second pressure chambers whose volume varies according to the deformation of the second vibrating plate. The second switching circuit outputs a second driving voltage signal supplied to the second piezoelectric element by selecting or deselecting the plurality of driving waveforms according to the second ejection information signal. The second ejection information signal includes second ejection data that specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element. The second wiring substrate is provided with the second switching circuit; and The second temperature detection unit is located on the opposite side of the second vibrating plate in the second stacking direction and is electrically connected to the second wiring substrate. It detects second temperature information corresponding to the temperature of the second pressure chamber. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within a first temperature range, and the first ejection data is a first value of liquid used to eject the first droplet volume, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal including a first driving waveform. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the first ejection data is the first value, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal that includes a second driving waveform different from the first driving waveform. When the second temperature information includes temperature information within the first temperature range, and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs a second driving voltage signal that includes the first driving waveform. When the second temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the second ejection data is the first value, the second switching circuit outputs the second driving voltage signal containing the second driving waveform.

9. The printhead according to claim 8, characterized in that, At least a portion of the first temperature detection unit is stacked on the first vibrating plate, and at least a portion of the second temperature detection unit is stacked on the second vibrating plate.

10. The printhead according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the first temperature range, and the first ejection data is a second value for ejecting a second droplet volume of liquid different from the first droplet volume, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal containing a third driving waveform. When the first temperature information includes temperature information within the second temperature range, and the first ejection data is the second value, the first switching circuit outputs a first driving voltage signal that includes a fourth driving waveform different from the third driving waveform.

11. The printhead according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first ejection information signal includes: The first ejection data specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element; and The first waveform selection data corresponds to the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the first piezoelectric element, and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of driving waveforms. The second ejection information signal includes: The second ejection data specifies the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element; and The second waveform selection data corresponds to the amount of liquid ejected under the drive of the second piezoelectric element, and specifies the selection or non-selection of the plurality of drive waveforms. The first waveform selection data, updated based on the first temperature information, is input into the print head. The second waveform selection data, updated based on the second temperature information, is input into the print head.

12. The printhead according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data, updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection unit during the period when the first switching circuit does not supply the first driving voltage signal to the first piezoelectric element, is input to the print head. The second waveform selection data, updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection unit during the period when the second switching circuit does not supply the second driving voltage signal to the second piezoelectric element, is input to the print head.

13. The printhead according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data, updated based on the first temperature information detected by the first temperature detection unit during the period when the voltage value of the drive signal is constant, is input to the print head. The second waveform selection data, updated based on the second temperature information detected by the second temperature detection unit during a period when the voltage value of the drive signal is constant, is input to the print head.

14. The printhead according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first waveform selection data included in the first ejection information signal is updated in the second ejection cycle immediately following the first ejection cycle based on the first temperature information obtained in the first ejection cycle. The first ejection information signal, which includes the updated first waveform selection data, is input to the first switching circuit in the third ejection cycle immediately following the second ejection cycle. The second waveform selection data included in the second ejection information signal is updated in the second ejection cycle immediately following the first ejection cycle based on the second temperature information obtained in the first ejection cycle. The second ejection information signal, which includes the updated second waveform selection data, is input to the second switching circuit in the third ejection cycle immediately following the second ejection cycle.

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