Control circuit, printing head chip and injection device

Abstract

The invention provides a control circuit which is used for controlling a nozzle to jet ink droplets. The control circuit comprises a signal input circuit which is used for receiving and processing a printing signal output by imaging equipment and outputting a nozzle driving signal; the power supply detection circuit is used for receiving and detecting a power supply signal output by the imaging equipment and outputting a power supply feedback signal; the logic operation circuit is used for receiving and operating a nozzle driving signal and the power supply feedback signal and driving or not driving a heating element according to the state of the power supply feedback signal, and the signal input circuit, the power supply detection circuit and the logic operation circuit all work under the first power supply voltage. The structure of the nozzle control circuit is simplified, the manufacturing cost and the system complexity are remarkably reduced, meanwhile, a boost conversion circuit is avoided, energy consumption is reduced, and the energy-saving effect is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a control circuit, and more particularly to a control circuit, a print head chip, and a spraying device for controlling a nozzle to spray ink droplets. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous development of inkjet printing technology, inkjet printers have gained widespread use in homes, offices, and industry. Their key advantages include low cost, quiet operation, excellent print quality, and adaptability to a variety of print media, such as plain paper, photo paper, and transparencies. Among the core components of an inkjet printer, the printhead plays a crucial role. This is the key component responsible for ejecting ink in the form of tiny droplets onto the print media. Its performance directly impacts the clarity, color reproduction, and overall quality of the print. Modern printheads typically consist of multiple nozzles, and by precisely controlling the ejection of each nozzle, efficient and detailed printing results are achieved.

[0003] The control circuit plays a key role in the printhead. Its primary task is to receive print signals from the imaging device and convert them into control signals that drive the nozzles, ensuring that each nozzle ejects ink according to the predetermined pattern. Furthermore, the control circuit is responsible for regulating the nozzle's heating or drive current to achieve precise ink droplet ejection. Traditional control circuits typically require a step-up converter to provide sufficient voltage to drive the nozzle's heating element or driver. While this design can achieve nozzle control, it is complex, increasing manufacturing difficulty and cost. It can also lead to increased energy consumption and prolonged response time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a simplified control circuit, a print head chip and an ejection device, which reduce the complexity and energy consumption of the circuit and improve the stability and response speed of the system.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a control circuit for controlling a nozzle to eject ink droplets, including a signal input circuit for receiving and processing a print signal output by an imaging device, and outputting a nozzle drive signal; a power detection circuit for receiving and detecting a power signal output by the imaging device, and outputting a power feedback signal; a logic operation circuit for receiving and operating the nozzle drive signal and the power feedback signal, and driving or not driving a heating element corresponding to the nozzle according to the state of the power feedback signal, wherein the signal input circuit, the power detection circuit, and the logic operation circuit all operate under a first power supply voltage.

[0006] This application simplifies the structure of the nozzle control circuit, significantly reduces manufacturing costs and system complexity. At the same time, the power supply monitoring mechanism ensures that the nozzle operates in a stable power supply environment, improving the reliability and stability of the system. In addition, the operating voltage of the signal input circuit, power supply detection circuit and logic operation circuit are all at the first power supply voltage, avoiding the boost conversion circuit, reducing energy loss, reducing energy consumption, and achieving energy-saving effects.

[0007] In one possible implementation, when the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is normal, whether the heating element is driven or not depends on the nozzle drive signal; when the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is abnormal, the heating element is not driven.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the signal input circuit includes a shift register circuit, a latch circuit, and a decoder circuit connected in series.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the logic operation circuit includes a first transistor P1, a second transistor N1, a third transistor N2 and a fourth transistor N3, wherein the first transistor P1 and the second transistor N1 are connected in parallel to form an inverter circuit, the input of the inverter is used to receive a nozzle drive signal, the gate of the third transistor N2 is used to receive a power supply feedback signal, the gate of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the output of the inverter and the drain output of the second transistor N2, and the drain of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the heating element.

[0010] In one possible implementation, when the power supply feedback signal outputs a signal reflecting an abnormal power supply signal, the second transistor N2 is turned on, the fourth transistor N3 is turned off, and the heating element is not started; when the power supply feedback signal outputs a signal reflecting a normal power supply signal, the second transistor N2 is turned off, and the fourth transistor N3 is turned on or off according to the output state of the inverter.

[0011] In one possible implementation, when the power feedback signal outputs a signal reflecting an abnormal power signal, the power detection circuit receives a power signal output by the imaging device that is less than a first threshold voltage, the power feedback signal outputs logic 1, the second transistor N2 is turned on, and the fourth transistor N3 is turned off.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first threshold voltage is less than or equal to the first power supply voltage.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first power supply voltage includes 3.3V or 5V.

[0014] On the second aspect, the present application provides a print head chip, including the control circuit of any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The print head chip including the control circuit significantly reduces manufacturing costs and system complexity, improves reliability and stability, avoids boost conversion circuits, reduces energy loss, reduces energy consumption, and achieves energy-saving effects.

[0015] In one possible embodiment, the print head chip includes a substrate layer, on which a control circuit and multiple heating elements are arranged, and the multiple heating elements form at least one group of element arrays; a chamber layer, which is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate layer, and the chamber layer includes multiple injection chambers; an orifice layer, which is arranged on the upper surface of the chamber layer, and the orifice layer includes multiple nozzle holes; multiple nozzle holes, multiple injection chambers and multiple heating elements are arranged correspondingly.

[0016] On the third aspect, the present application provides an injection device, including a print head chip in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The injection device including the print head chip significantly reduces manufacturing costs and system complexity, improves reliability and stability, avoids boost conversion circuits, reduces energy loss, reduces energy consumption, and achieves energy-saving effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the injection device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a print head chip provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of another print head chip provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a control circuit for controlling a print head chip provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 5 A circuit diagram of a control circuit provided for an embodiment of the application;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the signal input circuit of the control circuit provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Description of reference numerals:

[0024] 1-jet device, 10-print head chip, 100-substrate layer, 110-heating element, 120-control circuit, 121-signal input circuit, 122-power detection circuit, 123-logic operation circuit, 200-chamber layer, 210-jet chamber, 300-orifice plate layer, 310-nozzle hole, 20-ink cartridge DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to better understand the technical solution of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] It should be clear that the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0027] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "the" used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0028] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein simply describes a relationship between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent: A alone, A and B together, or B alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects.

[0029] See also Figure 1 , shows a jetting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The jetting device 1 includes an ink cartridge 20, which can be inserted into a corresponding slot of an inkjet printer (imaging device), so that the entire jetting device 1 can also be inserted into a corresponding position of the device, thereby achieving the goal of jetting ink onto a medium such as paper to form a desired image. The jetting device 1 also includes a print head chip 10, which is generally a small semiconductor chip. For ease of explanation, it is shown in FIG. Figure 1 The ink cartridge 20 is drawn larger than its actual size.

[0030] See also Figure 2 and Figure 3 , shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a print head chip 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the print head chip 10 includes a substrate layer 100, which is usually composed of a silicon substrate. A control circuit 120 and a plurality of heating elements 110 are provided on the substrate layer 100. The control circuit 120 is used to provide a driving signal to the heating element 110. The heating element 110 is generally a heating resistor. The plurality of heating elements 110 form at least one element array. The print head chip usually includes a monochrome print head and a color print head. In monochrome printing, the print head chip only outputs one color of ink. The corresponding print head chip needs to be provided with an ink inlet slot, which is usually black, such as Figure 3As shown; In color printing, the print head chip outputs at least three colors of ink. Correspondingly, the print head chip needs to be equipped with at least three ink slots, generally cyan, magenta and yellow (not shown in the figure). Figure 3 The monochrome print head chip is used as an example for illustration. A monochrome print head chip generally has two sets of element arrays, which are distributed on both sides of the ink inlet slot and are arranged on the upper surface of the substrate layer 100. A chamber layer 200 and an orifice plate layer 300 are sequentially arranged on the upper surface of the substrate layer 100. The chamber layer 200 is provided with ejection chambers 210 corresponding one-to-one with the heating elements 110 for accommodating ink. Similarly, the orifice plate layer 300 is provided with a plurality of nozzle holes 310 corresponding one-to-one with the heating elements 110. The plurality of nozzle holes 310, the plurality of ejection chambers 210, and the plurality of heating elements 110 constitute a basic ejection unit. When the heating element 110 is activated, the ink in the ejection chamber 210 is rapidly heated, forming bubbles that push the ink out through the nozzle holes 310, thereby achieving inkjet printing.

[0031] It should be noted that the substrate layer 100, the chamber layer 200, and the orifice plate layer 300 shown here are made of different materials or structures. For example, the chamber layer 200 is independently manufactured and then disposed on the substrate layer 100, and the orifice plate layer 300 is also independently manufactured and then disposed on the chamber layer 200. However, it is not excluded that the chamber layer 200 is directly manufactured on the substrate layer 100 using the same process or a different process, and similarly, the orifice plate layer 300 is directly manufactured on the chamber layer 200 using the same process or a different process. Whether the substrate layer 100, the chamber layer 200, and the orifice plate layer 300 are separate or integrated is within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0032] See also Figure 4 , shows a structural schematic diagram of the control circuit 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit 120 is used to control the nozzle to eject ink droplets, and includes a signal input circuit 121, a power detection circuit 122 and a logic operation circuit 123. The signal input circuit 121 is used to receive and process the printing signal output by the imaging device. The printing signal includes but is not limited to a data signal, a clock signal, an enable signal and a power signal. After receiving the above-mentioned printing signal, the signal input circuit 121 processes the data and outputs a nozzle drive signal. The nozzle drive signal is used to drive the heating element 110, that is, to determine whether the heating element 110 is to be driven; the power detection circuit 122 is used to receive and detect the power signal output by the imaging device, and output a power feedback signal; the logic operation circuit 123 is used to receive and operate the nozzle drive signal and the power feedback signal, and drive or not drive the heating element 110 corresponding to the nozzle according to the state of the power feedback signal.

[0033] When the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is normal, the heating element is driven or not driven depending on the nozzle driving signal; when the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is abnormal, the heating element is not driven.

[0034] See also Figure 5 , shows a circuit structure diagram of the control circuit 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal input circuit 121, the power detection circuit 122 and the logic operation circuit 123 all operate in an environment of the first power supply voltage VCC. In a traditional control circuit, the voltage of the logic operation circuit is higher than the voltage of the signal input circuit and the power detection circuit. Therefore, in a traditional control circuit, it is necessary to set a boost conversion circuit between the signal input circuit and the logic operation circuit, and set another boost conversion circuit between the power detection circuit and the logic operation circuit. Accordingly, the entire control circuit requires at least two working voltages, which not only increases the complexity of the circuit but also increases power consumption. Therefore, the present application simplifies the structure of the nozzle control circuit, and the working voltages of the signal input circuit 121, the power detection circuit 122 and the logic operation circuit 123 are all the first power supply voltage VCC, avoiding the boost conversion circuit, which not only reduces energy consumption and achieves energy-saving effects, but also significantly reduces manufacturing costs and system complexity. In addition, the power monitoring mechanism ensures that the nozzle operates in a stable power supply environment, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the system.

[0035] Continue to see Figure 5 In some embodiments of the present application, the logic operation circuit 123 includes a first transistor P1, a second transistor N1, a third transistor N2 and a fourth transistor N3, wherein the first transistor P1 and the second transistor N1 are connected in parallel to form an inverter circuit, the input of the inverter circuit is used to receive the nozzle drive signal output by the signal input circuit 121, the gate of the third transistor N2 is used to receive the power feedback signal output by the power detection circuit 122, the gate of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the output of the inverter circuit and the drain output of the second transistor N2, and the drain of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the heating element 110 corresponding to the nozzle.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first transistor P1 is a PMOS transistor, and the second transistor N1 , the third transistor N2 , and the fourth transistor N3 are NMOS transistors.

[0037] In some embodiments, when the power signal output by the imaging device received by the power detection circuit 122 is less than the first threshold voltage, the power feedback signal outputs logic 1, corresponding to the abnormal power feedback signal. The second transistor N2 is an N-type transistor. When the gate of the N-type transistor N2 inputs logic 1, the N2 transistor is turned on. When the N2 transistor is turned on, the drain of the N2 transistor outputs logic 0. At this time, regardless of whether the inverter circuit outputs logic 0 or logic 1, the gate input of the fourth transistor N3 follows logic 0. The fourth transistor N3 is an N-type transistor. When the gate of the N-type transistor N3 inputs logic 0, the fourth transistor N3 is turned off. A conductive loop cannot be formed between the high-voltage power supply HVT input to the other end of the heating element 110 and the ground, that is, the heating element 110 corresponding to the nozzle is in an inactive state.

[0038] Similarly, when the power supply feedback signal is normal, the second transistor N2 is turned off, and the input of the fourth transistor N3 depends on the output state of the inverter circuit. If the output of the inverter circuit is a high level, corresponding to logic 1, the fourth transistor N3 is turned on, and the corresponding heating element 110 is in the started state. If the output of the inverter circuit is a low level, corresponding to logic 0, the fourth transistor N3 is turned off, and the corresponding heating element 110 is in the deactivated state.

[0039] It should be noted that in the above embodiment, the third transistor N2 is an N-type transistor. In order to turn on the N-type transistor, the logic value output by the power detection circuit 122 indicating an abnormal power supply feedback signal is 1. In other embodiments, the third transistor may also be a P-type transistor, and the other transistor types remain unchanged. In this case, in order to turn on the P-type transistor, the logic value output by the power detection circuit 122 indicating an abnormal power supply feedback signal is 0. That is, the logic value indicating an abnormal power supply feedback signal can be changed based on the type of the third transistor. Similarly, the type of the fourth transistor can also include N-type transistors and P-type transistors, and can be modified in combination with the design logic of the previous and next stage circuits, as long as the purpose of the control circuit of this application can be achieved.

[0040] Continue to refer to Figure 5In some embodiments, the first threshold voltage is equal to the voltage value of the first power supply voltage VCC. The power detection circuit 122 receives the first threshold voltage and the power signal, and compares the power signal voltage with the first threshold voltage to determine whether the power signal is normal. During normal operation, the power signal value input to the power detection circuit 122 is the voltage value of the first power supply voltage VCC, preferably 3.3V or 5V. When the power detection circuit 122 detects that the input power signal is less than the first threshold voltage, the power detection circuit 122 outputs a power feedback signal abnormal logic value, and the heating element 110 is not activated. This design can increase the reliability and safety of the system, avoid the heating element 110 from being mistakenly activated when the power supply voltage is insufficient, and prevent damage to the equipment or poor inkjet effect.

[0041] In some other embodiments, the first threshold voltage may also be a voltage value less than the first power supply voltage VCC. For example, when the input power signal is 3.3V and the first threshold voltage is 2.5V, the feedback signal will not output an abnormal logic value when the power detection circuit 122 detects that the input power signal is between 3.2V and 2.5V. When the input power signal is detected to be lower than 2.5V, the feedback signal will output an abnormal logic value. This power detection mechanism can also effectively prevent malfunctions caused by power supply voltage fluctuations, thereby improving the stability and service life of the entire inkjet printing system. Furthermore, by adjusting the first threshold voltage, optimization can be achieved based on different application requirements or power supply conditions, ensuring safe and reliable operation in various environments.

[0042] See also Figure 6 , shows a structural schematic diagram of the signal input circuit 121 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the signal input circuit includes a shift register circuit, a latch circuit and a decoder circuit connected in series to realize the selection control of the nozzle. The printing signal input by the imaging device includes a power signal VCC, a data signal DATA, a clock signal CLK and an enable signal LT. When the imaging device inputs a printing signal (including a power signal VCC, a data signal DATA, a clock signal CLK and an enable signal LT), the clock signal CLK drives the shift register to shift the data DATA into the register bit by bit. The enable signal LT controls the latch to latch the data in the shift register to the output end to ensure data stability. The decoder identifies the corresponding nozzle number based on the binary code output by the latch, outputs the nozzle drive signal, and selects the corresponding nozzle for inkjet operation. In this way, the entire circuit cooperates to achieve precise control and rapid response of multiple nozzles, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of inkjet printing.

[0043] The print head chip provided according to the second aspect embodiment of the present application includes the control circuit of the first aspect embodiment of the present application, and the print head chip has all the beneficial effects of the control circuit.

[0044] The ejection device provided according to the third aspect embodiment of the present application includes the print head chip as in the second aspect embodiment of the present application, and the ejection device has all the beneficial effects of the print head chip.

[0045] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the various functional units or modules in the present application may be partially implemented by computer programs or by related hardware circuits, without limitation.

Claims

1. A control circuit for controlling a nozzle to eject ink droplets, characterized in that: include: The signal input circuit is used to receive and process the printing signal output by the imaging device and output the nozzle driving signal; A power detection circuit, configured to receive and detect a power signal output by the imaging device and output a power feedback signal; A logic operation circuit receives and operates the nozzle drive signal and the power supply feedback signal, and drives or does not drive the heating element corresponding to the nozzle according to the state of the power supply feedback signal. Wherein, the signal input circuit, the power detection circuit and the logic operation circuit all operate at a first power supply voltage.

2. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein: When the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is normal, the heating element is driven or not driven depending on the nozzle driving signal; When the power detection circuit detects that the power signal is abnormal, the heating element is not driven.

3. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The logic operation circuit includes a first transistor P1, a second transistor N1, a third transistor N2 and a fourth transistor N3, wherein the first transistor P1 and the second transistor N1 are connected in parallel to form an inverter circuit, the input of the inverter is used to receive the nozzle drive signal, the gate of the third transistor N2 is used to receive the power supply feedback signal, the gate of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the output of the inverter and the drain output of the second transistor N2, and the drain of the fourth transistor N3 is connected to the heating element.

4. The control circuit according to claim 3, characterized in that: When the power supply feedback signal output is a signal reflecting that the power supply signal is abnormal, the second transistor N2 is turned on, the fourth transistor N3 is turned off, and the heating element is not started; When the power supply feedback signal output is a signal reflecting that the power supply signal is normal, the second transistor N2 is turned off, and the fourth transistor N3 is turned on or off according to the output state of the inverter.

5. The control circuit according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the power feedback signal output is a signal reflecting the abnormality of the power signal, the power detection circuit receives that the power signal output by the imaging device is less than the first threshold voltage, the power feedback signal outputs logic 1, the second transistor N2 is turned on, and the fourth transistor N3 is turned off.

6. The control circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first threshold voltage is less than or equal to the first power supply voltage.

7. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein: The first power supply voltage includes 3.3V or 5V.

8. A print head chip, characterized in that: The method comprises the control circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The print head chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: include: a substrate layer, on which the control circuit and the plurality of heating elements are arranged, wherein the plurality of heating elements form at least one element array; a chamber layer, disposed on the upper surface of the substrate layer, the chamber layer comprising a plurality of injection chambers; an orifice plate layer, disposed on an upper surface of the chamber layer, the orifice plate layer comprising a plurality of nozzle holes; The plurality of nozzle holes, the plurality of injection chambers and the plurality of heating elements are correspondingly arranged.

10. A spraying device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a print head chip as described in any one of claims 8 to 9.

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