Ink jet chip power supply regulation and control circuit

Abstract

An ink jet chip power supply regulation and control circuit is arranged on an ink jet chip and comprises an input module for receiving a control signal input from the outside; the potential regulation and control module is coupled with the input module, receives the control signal transmitted by the input module, and judges whether to amplify the input control signal or not according to the level of the logic potential of the control signal; and the fourth inverter is coupled with the potential regulation and control module to output a control signal. Wherein the potential regulation and control module further comprises a second switch, a third phase inverter and a potential regulation and control unit, the potential regulation and control unit is coupled with the second switch and the third phase inverter, when the second switch is turned on, the circuit output of the fourth phase inverter is zero, the spray hole is not subjected to jet printing, and when the second switch is turned off, the output of the fourth phase inverter is not zero, and the spray hole is subjected to jet printing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power control circuit for an inkjet chip, and more specifically, to a circuit by setting a potential control unit in the inkjet chip so that an externally input control signal can control the operation of the nozzle with a low-voltage control signal. Background Technology

[0002] Inkjet printing, commonly known as "Inkjet Printing," is a widely used printing technology whose history dates back to the 1950s when it was invented by the British company Hewlett-Packard. Since then, inkjet printing technology has developed rapidly, making inkjet printers the mainstream technology for home and commercial printing. Inkjet printers have many advantages, including: low cost, especially economical for home and small business use; high print quality, providing high-resolution and high-quality images, particularly for photos or pictures; ease of use, as inkjet printers are easy to install, and most can print via computer or mobile devices. Combined with the increasingly popular all-in-one office machines (including fax, photocopying, and scanning), they can rapidly expand the flexibility of office paperwork.

[0003] Please see Figure 1A and Figure 1B ,exist Figure 1B The text describes the matching and electronic signal control method (including address signals, temporary signals, clock signals, data signals, transmission signals, etc.) between the ink cartridge 10 and the printer in known technologies. This method involves the inkjet control module 20 in the external terminal or printer transmitting these electronic signals through its inkjet control contacts 21 to the inkjet control contacts on the inkjet chip 110. Figure 1A In the image, the ink cartridge 10 includes a flexible circuit board 100, on which an inkjet chip 110 is provided. The inkjet chip 110 can be used to store information such as ink cartridge serial number, ink type, and inkjet head-printer matching information, and at the same time control the ejection of ink droplets for printing.

[0004] Looking at current technological trends, existing inkjet printing technology is becoming increasingly diverse in its applications and its print quality is constantly improving. However, at the same time, due to the advancement of inkjet printing technology, the inkjet chip and its corresponding circuit components used to control the printing process are becoming smaller and smaller. Under these conditions, because the miniaturized circuit components can withstand lower potentials, the electronic signals used to control the operation of the nozzles are controlled at a lower potential (approximately 1-8 volts) when input. However, based on the needs of inkjet printing, the nozzle elements in the inkjet chip (such as resistors used to heat the ink) still require a higher operating potential. Therefore, how to drive the nozzle elements in the inkjet chip with a lower potential control signal becomes the problem that this invention needs to address. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a power control circuit for an inkjet chip, configured within the inkjet chip. Due to the trend of miniaturization in inkjet chip circuit components, the potential of the input electronic signals, including address signal, temporary storage signal, clock signal, and data signal, is approximately between 1-8 volts. A large portion of these electronic signals operate using a low-potential power supply. However, when inputting these signals to the nozzle-related heating element, since the heating element operates at a high-potential power supply, the electronic signals cannot directly control the heating element. Therefore, to solve the above problem, the objective of this invention is to amplify the potential of the input electronic signals used to control the inkjet heating during inkjet printing using a potential control unit. This allows control during the electronic signal input stage to be performed using a low-potential power supply, appropriate for the size of the electronic components. However, during the ink heating stage, after potential conversion, the heating element can be driven with a high-potential power supply. This enables the inkjet chip's two circuit blocks with different operating potentials (front and back ends) to integrate and operate simultaneously. Detailed technical solutions are described below.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this invention proposes an inkjet chip power control circuit, disposed on an inkjet chip, comprising: an input module (input circuit) for receiving externally input control signals and low-potential power; a level shift circuit (level shift circuit) coupled to the input module for receiving control signals transmitted by the input module and high-potential power, thereby controlling whether the level shift circuit amplifies the potential of the input control signal by transmitting a high or low logic potential of the control signal; and a fourth inverter coupled to the level shift circuit for outputting control signals; wherein the level shift circuit further includes a second switch, a third inverter, and a level shift unit, the level shift unit being coupled to the second switch and the third inverter. When the second switch is open, the circuit output of the fourth inverter is zero, and the nozzle does not print; when the second switch is closed, the output of the fourth inverter is not zero, and the nozzle prints.

[0007] According to the present invention, the input module includes a first inverter and a second inverter, wherein the second inverter is coupled to the first inverter, thereby controlling whether the potential control module amplifies the potential of the input control signal.

[0008] According to the present invention, the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter are a single unit.

[0009] MJ25A-1346CN_251362 1TWCN_Simplified Chinese version Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (hereinafter referred to as CMOS), which further includes a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as PMOS) and an N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as NMOS).

[0010] According to the present invention, it should be noted that the low logic potential and high logic potential mentioned in the present invention are relative low potential and high potential (0 and 1) respectively represented by the binary principle, and are not equivalent to the actual low potential power supply (1-8 volts) and high potential power supply (10-50 volts) mentioned in the present invention. This is specifically stated here. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The following detailed description of the invention and the illustrated embodiments are intended to enable a fuller understanding of the invention; however, it should be understood that this is limited to providing a reference for understanding the application of the invention and not to limiting the invention to a particular embodiment.

[0012] Figure 1A This demonstrates the configuration of ink cartridges and inkjet chips using known technologies.

[0013] Figure 1B This demonstrates the method by which electronic signals are transmitted between the inkjet control module and the inkjet chip, which is known to be technology.

[0014] Figure 2 This describes how the inkjet chip power control circuit is configured within the inkjet chip.

[0015] Figure 3 This shows the circuit architecture of the inkjet chip power control circuit.

[0016] Figure 4A This is further shown in the form of an inverter in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4B The structure of the third inverter and its operation are shown.

[0018] Figure 4C This is further shown in the embodiments of the present invention, the circuit architecture of the potential control unit.

[0019] [Symbol Explanation]

[0020] 10: Ink cartridge

[0021] 100: Flexible Circuit Board

[0022] 110: Inkjet chip

[0023] 111: Spray point control contact

[0024] 112: and gate

[0025] 20: Printing Control Module

[0026] 21: Printing control contact

[0027] 300: Inkjet chip power control circuit

[0028] MJ25A-1346CN_251362 1TWCN_Simplified Chinese Version

[0029] 310: Input Module

[0030] 311: First Inverter

[0031] 312: Second inverter

[0032] 320: Potential Control Module

[0033] 321: Third inverter

[0034] 322: Potential Control Unit

[0035] 330: Fourth Inverter

[0036] A1: First control signal

[0037] A2: Second control signal

[0038] A3: Third control signal

[0039] A4: Fourth Control Signal

[0040] A5: Fifth Control Signal

[0041] A6: Sixth control signal

[0042] N1: First endpoint

[0043] N2: Second endpoint

[0044] N3: Third endpoint

[0045] N4: Fourth endpoint

[0046] N5: Fifth endpoint

[0047] M1: First switch

[0048] M2: Second switch

[0049] M3: Third Switch

[0050] M4: Fourth Switch

[0051] M5: Fifth Switch

[0052] R1-R6: Heating resistors

[0053] V in Input electronic signal

[0054] V out Output electronic signal

[0055] V L Low-potential power supply

[0056] V H High-potential power supply

[0057] PMOS: P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor

[0058] NMOS: N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor Detailed Implementation

[0059] This invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and viewpoints to enable the reader to fully understand how these embodiments are implemented. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this invention can also be implemented without these details. Furthermore, this invention can also be used and implemented through other specific embodiments, and the various details set forth in this specification can be applied based on different needs, and various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the spirit of this invention. Therefore, this invention will be described with reference to preferred embodiments and viewpoints. Such descriptions are for explaining the structure of the invention and are for illustrative purposes only, not for limiting the scope of the patent application. The terminology used in the following description will be interpreted in the broadest and most reasonable way so that it can be used in conjunction with the detailed description of a particular embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that in this invention, the first control signal, second control signal, third control signal, fourth control signal, fifth control signal, and sixth control signal are merely numbers as described in the embodiments, and can be collectively referred to as control signals. Similarly, the first inverter, second inverter, third inverter, and fourth inverter can also be collectively referred to as inverters. Furthermore, the number of the above-mentioned numbers, that is, the number of control signals, inverters, heating resistors, and other components, can be arbitrarily configured according to the application requirements. Those skilled in the art can understand this invention after reading it and with the help of the accompanying drawings and related paragraphs. These descriptions are also only for illustration and not for limiting the scope of the invention, and are thus stated in advance.

[0060] Please see Figure 2 This describes how the inkjet chip power control circuit 300 is configured within the inkjet chip 110 in this invention. Figure 2 The image mainly shows the circuit structure of the inkjet chip 110, which controls the heating resistors R1-R6 in the nozzle to eject ink. When the control signals A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, and A6 are input from their respective external terminals (i.e., through the AND gate 112), the inkjet chip power supply regulation circuit 300 regulates the power supply from a relatively low potential V. L The control signal is converted into the high-potential power supply V required to drive the heating resistors R1-R6. H Thus, through the inkjet chip power control circuit 300, it is possible to achieve control during the control signal input stage by adjusting the power supply V to match the size of the electronic components. L However, during the ink heating stage, after potential conversion, it can be powered by a high-potential power supply V. HThe heating element is driven to achieve the purpose of integrating and cooperating the two circuit blocks with different operating potentials, namely the front and back ends of the inkjet chip 110. It should be noted that the aforementioned external terminal is not limited to the gate 112 described in this invention, but can also be input through related input ports, circuits, desktop computers, laptop computers, smartphones, wearable devices, tablet computers, cloud networks, or printers, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0061] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 4B ,as well as Figure 4C According to an embodiment of the present invention, the proposed inkjet chip power control circuit 300 includes the following components: an input module 310, which receives externally input control signals and a low-potential power supply V. L The potential control module 320 is coupled to the input module 310, receives the control signal transmitted by the input module 310, and is coupled to a high-potential power supply V. H The high or low logic potential transmitted by the control signal controls whether the potential control module 320 amplifies the input control signal; and the fourth inverter 330 is coupled to the potential control module 320 and the high-potential power supply V. H This is for outputting control signals; the potential control module 320 also includes a second switch M2, a third inverter 321, and a potential control unit 322. The potential control unit 322 is coupled to the second switch M2 and the third inverter 321. When the second switch M2 is open, the circuit output of the fourth inverter 330 is zero, and the nozzle does not print (i.e., the heating resistors R1-R6 do not operate). When the second switch M2 is closed, the output of the fourth inverter 330 is not zero, and the nozzle prints (i.e., the heating resistors R1-R6 operate). Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4A According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inverter is a CMOS, which includes a pull-up PMOS and a pull-down NMOS connected to the input electronic signal V. in After parallel processing, the output is an electronic signal V. out The inverter element can be modified or changed according to the application requirements after referring to the specification of this invention.

[0062] Please continue reading. Figure 4A , Figure 4B ,as well as Figure 4C Further explanation is provided below. Based on embodiments of the present invention... Figure 4AThe input module 310 includes a first inverter 311 and a second inverter 312, with the second inverter 312 coupled to the first inverter 311, thereby controlling whether the potential control module 320 amplifies the input control signal; according to the embodiments of the present invention and Figure 4B The third inverter 321 is the same type as the inverter described above, and it also includes a pull-up PMOS as the fourth switch M4 and a pull-down NMOS as the fifth switch M5; while according to the embodiment of the present invention and Figure 4C The potential control unit 322 includes two PMOS transistors, which serve as a first switch M1 and a third switch M3, respectively. These transistors are used to control whether the control signal input from the input module 310 is amplified. In other words, when a low logic potential is input from the input module 310, the potential control unit 322 is in the on state, and the control signal is not amplified, so the nozzle does not print. However, when a high logic potential is input from the input module 310, the potential control unit 322 is in the reverse on state, and the control signal is amplified, so the nozzle will print.

[0063] Based on the above, please refer to Figure 3 The circuit architecture, in conjunction with Figure 4A , Figure 4B ,as well as Figure 4C In this embodiment of the invention, when the nozzle is not printing, a low logic potential control signal is input from an external terminal through the first terminal N1. After the action of the first inverter 311, the second terminal N2 will output a high logic potential. At this time, the high logic potential of the second terminal N2 will turn on the second switch M2 and make the fourth terminal N4 a low logic potential, causing the third switch M3 to conduct. The second inverter 312 makes the third terminal N3 a low logic potential because the second terminal N2 is a high logic potential. At the same time, the action of the third inverter 321 will make the fifth terminal N5 a high logic potential. Meanwhile, the third terminal N3 in the input module 310 will be a low logic potential and turn on the fourth switch M4, while the potential control unit 322 is in a conducting state. At this time, the fifth terminal N5 is at a high logic potential. After the fourth inverter 330 acts, the high logic potential of the fifth terminal N5 will make the output of the inkjet chip power control circuit 300 zero, and the nozzle will not print (that is, the heating resistors R1-R6 will not operate). The operating conditions are summarized in the table below (in the table below, 0 represents low logic potential and 1 represents high logic potential; in addition, the prefix text of the first terminal N1 to the fifth terminal N5, and the first switch M1 to the fifth switch M5 is omitted in the table for the sake of simplicity):

[0064] <![CDATA[N1=0]]> <![CDATA[N2=1]]> <![CDATA[N3=0]]> <![CDATA[N4=0]]> <![CDATA[N5=1]]> <![CDATA[M2 is turned on]]> <![CDATA[M4 is turned on]]> <![CDATA[M3 is turned on]]>

[0065] Based on the above, please refer to Figure 3 The circuit architecture, in conjunction with Figure 4A , Figure 4B ,as well as Figure 4CIn this embodiment of the invention, when the nozzle is printing, a high logic potential control signal is input from an external terminal through the first terminal N1. After the first inverter 311 is activated, the second terminal N2 will output a low logic potential. At this time, the low logic potential of the second terminal N2 will cause the second switch M2 to close. Since the second terminal N2 is at a low logic potential, the second inverter 312 outputs a high logic potential. The action of the third inverter 321 will cause the fifth terminal N5 to be at a low logic potential. At the same time, the third terminal N3 in the input module 310 will be at a high logic potential and will cause the fifth switch M5 to open. The potential control unit 322 is in a reverse conduction state. At this time, the fifth terminal N5 is at a low logic potential. After the low logic potential of the fifth terminal N5 is activated by the fourth inverter 330, the output of the inkjet chip power control circuit 300 will not be zero. The control signal will be amplified by the low potential power supply V. L Upgrade to high potential power supply V H The printing nozzles (i.e., the heating resistors R1-R6 are activated) operate under the conditions summarized in the table below (similarly, 0 represents a low logic potential and 1 represents a high logic potential in the table below; in addition, the prefixes of the first terminal N1 to the fifth terminal N5, and the first switch M1 to the fifth switch M5 are omitted in the table for the sake of simplicity):

[0066] <![CDATA[N1=1]]> <![CDATA[N2=0]]> <![CDATA[N3=1]]> <![CDATA[N5=0]]> <![CDATA[N4=1]]> <![CDATA[M2 is not conducting]]> <![CDATA[M5 is turned on]]> <![CDATA[M3 is not conducting]]> <![CDATA[M1 is turned on]]>

[0067] MJ25A-1346CN_251362 1TWCN_Simplified Chinese Version

[0068] According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the low-potential power supply V described in the present invention L Its range can be between 1 and 8 volts. More specifically, it can be selected from 1.8V ± 20%, 3.3V ± 20%, and 5V ± 20%, or any combination thereof; in another embodiment of the invention, the high-potential power supply V... H The voltage range can be between 10-50 volts, and more specifically, it can be selected from 13V±20%, 15V±20%, 18V±20%, 20V±20%, 24V±20%, 32V±20%, and 40V±20%, or any combination thereof, to suit the actual control signal size and application requirements, or to facilitate the integration of the inkjet chip power control circuit 300 into existing technologies. It should be noted that in this invention, the low logic potential and high logic potential are relative low and high potentials represented based on binary principles, and are not equivalent to the low-potential power supply V described in this invention. L With high potential power supply V H This is specifically stated here.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inkjet chip power control circuit 300 can control a resolution range (Dots Per Inch, DPI) between 150 and 48000 DPI.

[0070] In summary, the main objective of this invention is to provide a power control circuit for an inkjet chip. By incorporating this circuit into the inkjet chip, control signals that external terminals must operate at lower potentials due to component size limitations can be amplified to higher potentials through a level shift circuit. This allows the two circuit blocks with different operating potentials (front and back ends) of the inkjet chip to integrate and coordinate with each other. Consequently, the components generating control signals can be miniaturized to keep up with current trends, while the heating elements related to the nozzles still have sufficient power to operate normally through the control signals. This further improves the overall performance of printing, including color, resolution, printing range, and printing speed, to meet increasingly stringent market demands and industrial applications.

Claims

1. A power control circuit for an inkjet chip, disposed in an inkjet chip, comprising: An input module receives a low-potential power supply and a control signal; A potential control module is coupled to the input module and receives a high-potential power supply. Depending on whether the control signal from the input module is a high / low logic potential, the module selects whether to amplify or not amplify the control signal. as well as, A fourth inverter, coupled to the potential control module, outputs an amplified or unamplified control signal based on the high / low logic potential of the control signal; The potential control module further includes a second switch, a third inverter, and a potential control unit. The potential control unit is coupled to the second switch and the third inverter. When the second switch is turned on, the circuit output of the fourth inverter is zero. When the second switch is turned off, the output of the fourth inverter is not zero.

2. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 1, wherein the input module further includes a first inverter and a second inverter, the second inverter being coupled to the first inverter to control the potential control module to amplify / not amplify the control signal.

3. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter are complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS).

4. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the potential control unit further includes a first switch and a third switch, and the third inverter includes a fourth switch and a fifth switch. When the input module receives the control signal with a low logic potential, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch are turned on, causing the potential control unit to be turned on, causing the circuit output of the fourth inverter to be zero, and controlling one nozzle in the inkjet chip not to print.

5. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the potential control unit further includes a first switch and a third switch, and the third inverter includes a fourth switch and a fifth switch. When the input module receives the control signal with a high logic potential, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch are all closed, and the fifth switch is turned on, causing the potential control unit to be reverse-conductive, thereby causing the circuit output of the fourth inverter to be non-zero, and controlling one nozzle in the inkjet chip to print.

6. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the low-potential power supply ranges from 1 to 8 volts.

7. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 6, wherein the low-potential power supply is selected from 1.8V±20%, 3.3V±20%, and 5V±20%, or any combination thereof.

8. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the high-potential power supply ranges from 10 to 50 volts.

9. The inkjet chip power control circuit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the high-potential power supply is selected from 13V±20%, 15V±20%, 18V±20%, 20V±20%, 24V±20%, 32V±20%, and 40V±20%, or any combination thereof.

10. The inkjet chip power control circuit as described in claim 2, wherein the resolution range that the inkjet chip power control circuit can control is between 150 and 48000 DPI.

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