Liquid injection head and liquid injection recording device

Abstract

We provide liquid spray heads and other components that enable cost reduction. [Solution] A liquid spray head according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a spray unit having a plurality of nozzles, and one or more drive boards that output drive signals for spraying liquid from the nozzles based on differential signals supplied from a print control unit outside the liquid spray head. The drive board has one or more drive devices that generate drive signals based on the differential signals. The drive devices have a signal conversion unit that generates a single-ended signal including print data and a data clock by performing signal conversion processing on the differential signals, and a signal generation unit that generates drive signals based on the print data and a data clock, and uses the data clock as a first clock that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Liquid ejection recording apparatuses equipped with liquid ejection heads are used in various fields, and various types of liquid ejection heads have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a liquid ejection head, generally, cost reduction is required. It is desirable to provide a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection recording apparatus capable of achieving cost reduction.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A liquid ejection head according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an ejection unit having a plurality of nozzles, and one or more drive substrates that output drive signals for ejecting liquid from the nozzles based on differential signals supplied from a print control unit outside the liquid ejection head. The drive substrate has one or more drive devices that generate drive signals based on differential signals. The drive device has a signal conversion unit that generates a single-ended signal including print data and a data clock by performing signal conversion processing on the differential signal, and a signal generation unit that generates a drive signal based on the print data and the data clock and uses the data clock as a first clock that defines a unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal.

[0006] A liquid jet recording device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a liquid jet head according to the present embodiment and the print control unit described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the liquid injection head and liquid injection recording device of this disclosure, it is possible to reduce costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a liquid injection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a detailed example of the liquid injection head configuration. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the drive device. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a liquid injection head related to a comparative example. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the drive device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The description will be in the following order. 1. Embodiment (Example of applying a data clock obtained from a differential signal to other clocks) 2. Variations

[0010] <1. Embodiment> [Outline configuration of Printer 5] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a printer 5 as a liquid jet recording device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the inkjet head 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) as a liquid jet head shown in Figure 1.

[0011] In addition, the scale of each component in the drawings used in this specification has been appropriately changed to make each component recognizable.

[0012] Printer 5 is an inkjet printer that uses ink 9 (described later) to record (print) images, characters, etc., onto a recording medium (for example, recording paper P shown in Figure 1). As shown in Figure 1, printer 5 is equipped with multiple (four in this example) inkjet heads 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, and a print control unit 2. For convenience, the inkjet heads 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d will be collectively referred to as inkjet head 1 below.

[0013] Here, the inkjet head 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) corresponds to one specific example of the "liquid jet head" in this disclosure, and the printer 5 corresponds to one specific example of the "liquid jet recording device" in this disclosure. In addition, the ink 9 corresponds to one specific example of the "liquid" in this disclosure.

[0014] (A. Printing Control Unit 2) The print control unit 2 supplies various types of information (data) to each of the inkjet heads 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the print control unit 2 supplies print control signals Sc to each of the inkjet heads 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d (including the drive devices 4a, 4b, 4c, etc., which will be described later).

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the print control unit 2 includes a head setting unit 20, a print data transfer unit 21, a drive power output unit 22, and a number of connectors (four in this example) C2a, C2b, C2c, and C2d.

[0016] The head setting unit 20 individually outputs a head setting signal Ss for performing various settings (such as drive waveform settings and operation settings) in each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d to each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the head setting signal Ss is transferred from the head setting unit 20 to the inkjet head 1a via the connector C2a, and the head setting signal Ss is transferred from the head setting unit 20 to the inkjet head 1b via the connector C2b. Similarly, the head setting signal Ss is transferred from the head setting unit 20 to the inkjet head 1c via the connector C2c, and the head setting signal Ss is transferred from the head setting unit 20 to the inkjet head 1d via the connector C2d.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the print data transfer unit 21 transfers a differential signal SL (serial transfer signal) including serial data Ds and a carrier clock CLKc to each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d via each connector C2a, C2b, C2c, C2d. Specifically, in the example of this embodiment, this differential signal SL is a LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) signal.

[0018] The drive power output unit 22 outputs a power supply voltage Vp (drive power supply) for operating each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d to each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d via each connector C2a, C2b, C2c, C2d.

[0019] Such a head setting signal Ss, differential signal SL, and power supply voltage Vp are each transferred from the print control unit 2 to each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d as a print control signal Sc (see FIG. 1). At this time, the head setting signal Ss is transferred from the print control unit 2 to each inkjet head 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d using, for example, low-speed I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) communication or the like.

[0020] (B. Inkjet head 1) The inkjet head 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is a head that ejects ink droplets 9 onto the recording paper P from an ejection unit 11 (a plurality of nozzle holes Hn), which will be described later, as indicated by the dashed arrows in FIG. 1, to record images, characters, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, this inkjet head 1 includes a plurality (four in this example) of ejection units 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) and drive substrates 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d), a plurality (four in this example) of connectors C3a, C3b, C3c, C3d, and one I / F (interface) substrate 12.

[0021] For convenience, hereinafter, the ejection units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are collectively referred to as the ejection unit 11 as appropriate. Similarly, for convenience, hereinafter, the drive substrates 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are collectively referred to as the drive substrate 13 as appropriate.

[0022] (B-1. I / F substrate 12) As shown in FIG. 2, the I / F substrate 12 is a substrate that relays between the outside of the inkjet head 1 (print control unit 2) and each of the drive substrates 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. This I / F substrate 12 includes one connector C1 (any one of C1a, C1b, C1c, C1d), four connectors C3a, C3b, C3c, C3d, and a switching circuit 23.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector C1 is a connector that inputs a print control signal Sc transferred from the print control unit 2. The connectors C3a, C3b, C3c, C3d are connectors that electrically connect between the I / F substrate 12 and the drive substrates 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, respectively. The switching circuit 23 is a circuit that switches and outputs a head setting signal Ss supplied via the connector C1 between the drive substrates 13 (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d).

[0024] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the differential signal SL and power supply voltage Vp input via connector C1 are individually transferred to the drive boards 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d via connectors C3a, C3b, C3c, and C3d, respectively. On the other hand, the head setting signal Ss input via connector C1 is switched between the drive boards 13 in the switching circuit 23, and then transferred from connectors C3a, C3b, C3c, and C3d to the drive boards 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively.

[0025] (B-2. Injection part 11) The ejection section 11 (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), as shown in Figure 2, has multiple nozzle holes Hn and is the part that ejects ink 9 from these nozzle holes Hn. This ejection of ink 9 is performed according to the drive signal Sd (drive voltage Vd) supplied from the drive devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c), which will be described later, on each drive substrate 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d (see Figure 2).

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, such an injection unit 11 is configured to include an actuator plate 111 and a nozzle plate 112.

[0027] (Nozzle plate 112) The nozzle plate 112 is a plate made of a film material such as polyimide or a metal material, and as shown in Figure 2, it has the above-mentioned plurality of nozzle holes Hn. These nozzle holes Hn are formed in a row at predetermined intervals and are, for example, circular in shape. Such nozzle holes Hn correspond to one specific example of a "nozzle" in this disclosure.

[0028] (Actuator plate 111) The actuator plate 111 is a plate made of a piezoelectric material such as PZT (lead zirconate titanate). This actuator plate 111 is provided with a plurality of channels (pressure chambers). These channels are for applying pressure to the ink 9 and are arranged in a line parallel to each other at predetermined intervals. Each channel is defined by a drive wall (not shown) made of piezoelectric material, and in cross-sectional view it is a concave groove.

[0029] Such channels contain ejection channels Ce (see Figure 2) for ejecting ink 9 and dummy channels (non-ejection channels) that do not eject ink 9. In other words, ink 9 is filled into the ejection channels Ce, while ink 9 is not filled into the dummy channels. The filling of ink 9 into each ejection channel Ce is carried out, for example, through a common channel that communicates with all such ejection channels Ce. Furthermore, each ejection channel Ce communicates individually with a nozzle hole Hn in the nozzle plate 112, while each dummy channel does not communicate with a nozzle hole Hn. These ejection channels Ce and dummy channels are arranged alternately along the direction in which the nozzle holes Hn are positioned.

[0030] Furthermore, drive electrodes are provided on the opposing inner surfaces of the drive wall described above. These drive electrodes include a common electrode (shared electrode) provided on the inner surface facing the discharge channel Ce, and active electrodes (individual electrodes) provided on the inner surface facing the dummy channel. These drive electrodes are electrically connected to the drive devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c), which will be described later, via wiring, etc. As a result, the drive voltage Vd (drive signal Sd) described above is applied from the drive devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) to each drive electrode (see Figure 2).

[0031] (B-3. Drive board 13) As shown in Figure 2, the drive boards 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are boards that individually electrically connect the I / F board 12 to the jetting units 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. Each of the drive boards 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d outputs the aforementioned drive voltage Vd (drive signal Sd) toward the jetting unit 11 (actuator plate 111) based on the differential signal SL, head setting signal Ss, and power supply voltage Vp supplied from the print control unit 2 via the I / F board 12.

[0032] Multiple drive devices 4 (in this example, three drive devices 4a, 4b, and 4c) are mounted on each of these drive boards 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d (see Figure 2). Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, drive devices 4a, 4b, and 4c each generate the aforementioned drive voltage Vd (drive signal Sd) based on the differential signal SL, head setting signal Ss, and power supply voltage Vp, and output it toward the injection unit 11 (actuator plate 111). In the example in Figure 2, these drive devices 4a, 4b, and 4c are cascaded together via the signal line of the differential signal SL.

[0033] For convenience, the term "driver device 4" is used below to refer to the drive devices 4a, 4b, and 4c collectively.

[0034] [Detailed configuration of drive device 4] Next, with reference to Figure 3, a detailed configuration example of each of the above-mentioned drive devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c) will be explained. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of each of the drive devices 4 (4a, 4b, 4c).

[0035] The drive device 4 includes a deserializer control unit 40a, a serializer control unit 40b, a shift register unit 410, a latch circuit unit 420, a waveform selection circuit unit 430, a drive switch circuit unit 440, a set value control unit 47, a set value storage unit 48, and a selection signal generation circuit 49.

[0036] Here, the deserializer control unit 40a corresponds to one specific example of the "signal conversion unit" in this disclosure. Also, the shift register unit 410, latch circuit unit 420, waveform selection circuit unit 430, drive switch circuit unit 440, and selection signal generation circuit 49 each correspond to one specific example of the "signal generation unit" in this disclosure.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the deserializer control unit 40a is a circuit that generates a single-ended signal consisting of parallel data by performing a signal conversion process on the differential signal SL, which includes the serial data Ds and the carrier clock CLKc mentioned above. Specifically, the deserializer control unit 40a generates a single-ended signal (parallel data) that includes print data Dp, an enable signal EN indicating the validity period of the print data Dp, a data clock DCLK, and an ejection timing signal St by performing such a signal conversion process (see Figure 3).

[0038] The serializer control unit 40b is a circuit that performs signal conversion processing on a single-ended signal (parallel data) which includes the print data Dp output from the shift register unit 410 (FF circuit 41), described later, and the enable signal EN, data clock DCLK, and output timing signal St. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the serializer control unit 40b performs signal conversion processing on such a single-ended signal to generate and output a differential signal SL which includes the serial data Ds and the carrier clock CLKc.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the shift register section 410 is a circuit that sequentially transfers and holds print data Dp for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn, corresponding to the drive signal Sd for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn, from the preceding stage to the succeeding stage. This shift register section 410 has the same number of flip-flop (FF) circuits 41 as the number of corresponding nozzle holes Hn (n in this example). Each FF circuit 41 is capable of holding, for example, 4 bits of print data Dp in synchronization with the data clock DCLK during the period when the enable signal EN supplied from the deserializer control section 40a is active (the validity period of the print data DP).

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the latch circuit section 420 is a circuit that holds the print data Dp for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn output from each FF circuit 41 in the shift register section 410, in synchronization with the ejection timing signal St mentioned above. This latch circuit section 420 has the same number of latch circuits 42 as the number of corresponding nozzle holes Hn (n in this example), and each latch circuit 42 is capable of holding, for example, 4 bits of print data Dp (print data body Dpb).

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the waveform selection circuit section 430 is a circuit that generates a switch control signal based on the print data Dp for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn output from each latch circuit 42 in the latch circuit section 420 and the selection signal output from the selection signal generation circuit 49, which will be described later. This waveform selection circuit section 430 has the same number of waveform selection circuits 43 as the number of corresponding nozzle holes Hn (n in this example), and each waveform selection circuit 43 generates a switch control signal for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the drive switch circuit section 440 is a circuit that generates drive signals Sd for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn based on the switch control signals for each of the multiple nozzle holes Hn output from each waveform selection circuit 43 in the waveform selection circuit section 430. This drive switch circuit section 440 has the same number of drive switch circuits 44 as the number of corresponding nozzle holes Hn (n in this example). Each drive switch circuit 44 then converts the signal level (voltage value) based on the switch control signal and the power supply voltage Vp mentioned above, thereby generating a drive signal Sda having a drive voltage Vd corresponding to each of the n nozzle holes Hn (see Figure 3).

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the setting value control unit 47 is a circuit that controls the head setting signal Ss input to each drive device 4 according to the address data Da which defines the device address unique to each drive device 4. The setting value storage unit 48 is a circuit that stores the setting values ​​used by the selection signal generation circuit 49 according to the control by the setting value control unit 47.

[0044] The selection signal generation circuit 49 is a circuit that generates a selection signal used when generating a switch control signal in the waveform selection circuit section 430, based on the set value stored in the set value control unit 47, the discharge timing signal St mentioned above, and a predetermined first clock CLK1. This first clock CLK1 is a clock that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal Sd mentioned above.

[0045] In this embodiment, the drive device 4 is configured such that, as shown in Figure 3, the data clock DCLK obtained by the signal conversion process (in the deserializer control unit 40a) for the differential signal SL is also used as the first clock CLK1 described above. This first clock CLK1 is a clock that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal Sd, and as described above, it is supplied to the selection signal generation circuit 49 (see Figure 3). Furthermore, in the drive device 4, as shown in Figure 3, the data clock DCLK described above is also used as the second clock CLK2, which is the system clock inside the drive device 4.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, when the transport clock CLKc included in the differential signal SL is stopped by the print control unit 2, the following settings are made. That is, in this case, the data clock DCLK within the inkjet head 1 is also stopped, so that the inkjet head 1 is set to power saving mode (head power saving mode). When set to this head power saving mode, the data clock DCLK is stopped, and the generation operation of the drive signal Sd within the drive device 4 is also stopped.

[0047] [Action and function / effect] (A. Basic operation of Printer 5) In this printer 5, the recording operation (printing operation) of images, characters, etc., onto the recording medium (recording paper P, etc.) is performed using the ink ejection operation of ink 9 by the inkjet head 1 as described below. Specifically, in the inkjet head 1 of this embodiment, the ink ejection operation of ink 9 using shear mode is performed as follows.

[0048] First, each drive device 4 (drive devices 4a to 4c) on each drive substrate 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d applies a drive voltage Vd (drive signal Sd) to the aforementioned drive electrodes (common electrode and active electrode) in the actuator plate 111 in the injection section 11 (11a to 11d). Specifically, each drive device 4 applies a drive voltage Vd to each drive electrode located on a pair of drive walls that define the aforementioned discharge channel Ce. As a result, each of these pairs of drive walls deforms to protrude toward the dummy channel adjacent to its discharge channel Ce.

[0049] At this time, the drive wall bends in a V-shape around its midpoint in the depth direction. This bending deformation of the drive wall causes the ejection channel Ce to deform as if it were expanding. In this way, the volume of the ejection channel Ce increases due to the bending deformation caused by the piezoelectric thickness sliding effect of the pair of drive walls. As a result of this increase in the volume of the ejection channel Ce, the ink 9 is guided into the ejection channel Ce.

[0050] Next, the ink 9, which has been guided into the ejection channel Ce in this manner, propagates as a pressure wave inside the ejection channel Ce. At the moment when this pressure wave reaches the nozzle hole Hn of the nozzle plate 112 (or near that moment), the drive voltage Vd applied to the drive electrode becomes 0 V. As a result, the drive wall recovers from the bent deformation state described above, and the volume of the ejection channel Ce, which had increased, returns to its original size.

[0051] In this way, as the volume of the ejection channel Ce returns to its original state, the pressure inside the ejection channel Ce increases, and the ink 9 inside the ejection channel Ce is pressurized. As a result, droplet-shaped ink 9 is ejected to the outside (towards the recording paper P) through the nozzle hole Hn (see Figure 1). In this way, the ink jetting operation (ejection operation) of the ink 9 in the inkjet head 1 is performed, and as a result, the recording operation of images, characters, etc. is performed on the recording paper P.

[0052] (B. Regarding the usage of various clocks) Next, the various clock usage methods described above in this embodiment will be explained in detail, in comparison with comparative examples.

[0053] (B-1. Comparative example) Figure 4 shows a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the inkjet head 101 (101a to 101d) related to the comparative example. Figure 5 shows a block diagram illustrating a detailed example configuration of the drive device 104 (104a to 104c) related to the comparative example shown in Figure 4.

[0054] The comparative example inkjet head 101 (101a to 101d) shown in Figure 4 is the same as the inkjet head 1 (1a to 1d) of this embodiment shown in Figure 2, but with the following modifications. Specifically, the comparative example inkjet head 101 is the same as the inkjet head 1 of this embodiment, but with an I / F substrate 102 instead of I / F substrate 12, and drive substrates 103a to 103d instead of drive substrates 13a to 13d. In addition, each drive substrate 103 (103a to 103d) is provided with multiple drive devices 104 (104a to 104c) according to the comparative example, instead of multiple drive devices 4 (4a to 4c) according to this embodiment.

[0055] The I / F board 102 of the comparative example described above is further equipped with an operating clock generation unit 24 that generates the operating clock CLK0, as is the case with the I / F board 12 of this embodiment. The operating clock CLK0 generated by this operating clock generation unit 24 is supplied to each of the drive devices 104a to 104c within each of the drive boards 103a to 103d via each of the connectors C3a to C3d, as shown in Figure 4.

[0056] Furthermore, although the comparative example drive device 104 shown in Figure 5 has basically the same configuration as the drive device 4 of this embodiment shown in Figure 3, the way in which the various clocks are used in this drive device 104 differs from that of the drive device 4.

[0057] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, in the comparative example drive device 104, in addition to the differential signal SL which is the basis of the data clock DCLK, an operating clock CLK0 is separately supplied for use as the aforementioned first clock CLK1. In other words, this separately supplied operating clock CLK0 is used as the first clock CLK1 which defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal Sd. Furthermore, in this drive device 104, as shown in Figure 5, this separately supplied operating clock CLK0 is also used as the second clock CLK2, which is the system clock inside the drive device 104.

[0058] Thus, in this comparative example, the drive device 104 requires multiple clock sources (two types of clocks), namely the data clock DCLK and the operation clock CLK0, which makes it complicated. Furthermore, these two types of clocks are asynchronous to each other, and the inkjet head 101 requires a circuit to generate the operation clock CLK0 (operation clock generation unit 24) and a buffer circuit for the operation clock CLK0, which complicates the circuit configuration. For these reasons, the cost of the inkjet head 101 may increase in this comparative example.

[0059] (B-2. Embodiment) In contrast, in the inkjet head 1 of this embodiment, the drive device 4 on the drive substrate 13 is configured as follows: That is, as shown in Figure 3, the data clock DCLK obtained by signal conversion processing for the differential signal SL supplied from the print control unit 2 is configured to also be used as a first clock CLK1 that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal Sd.

[0060] As a result, unlike the comparative example above, this embodiment requires only one clock source (data clock DCLK) in the drive device 4. Therefore, unlike the comparative example above, this embodiment eliminates the need for, for example, a circuit to generate the operation clock CLK0 (operation clock generation unit 24) and a buffer circuit for the operation clock CLK0, resulting in a simpler circuit configuration. Consequently, this embodiment makes it possible to reduce costs in the inkjet head 1 compared to the comparative example above.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data clock DCLK described above is also used as the second clock CLK2, which is the system clock inside the drive device 4, as follows. In other words, the circuit configuration becomes even simpler, making it possible to further reduce costs in the inkjet head 1.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inkjet head 1 is set to power-saving mode by stopping the transport clock CLKc included in the differential signal SL, thereby also stopping the data clock DCLK within the inkjet head 1. This results in the following: In other words, since the inkjet head 1 can be set to power-saving mode by utilizing only the stopping of the transport clock CLKc, convenience can be improved.

[0063] <2. Variant> Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0064] For example, in the above embodiment, specific examples of the configuration (shape, arrangement, number, etc.) of each component in the printer and inkjet head were described, but the above embodiment is not limited to those described, and other shapes, arrangements, numbers, etc., may be used. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, an example in which multiple inkjet heads are provided in the printer was described, but the above embodiment is not limited to this example, and for example, only one inkjet head may be provided in the printer.

[0065] Furthermore, while the above embodiments have specifically described examples of configurations such as the I / F board (relay board), drive board, and drive device, these configuration examples are not limited to those described in the above embodiments. Specifically, for example, the above embodiments described an example in which multiple drive boards are provided in the inkjet head, but the invention is not limited to this example, and for example, only one drive board may be provided in the inkjet head. Also, the above embodiments described an example in which an I / F board is provided in the inkjet head, but the invention is not limited to this example, and for example, no I / F board may be provided in the inkjet head. Moreover, the above embodiments described an example in which multiple drive devices are provided on the drive board, but the invention is not limited to this example, and for example, only one drive device may be provided on the drive board. In addition, the above embodiments described an example in which such multiple drive devices are cascaded to each other, but the invention is not limited to this example, and for example, they may not be cascaded to each other.

[0066] Furthermore, while the above embodiments have specifically described various ways of using clocks, the methods are not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and other methods may be used to utilize the various clocks. In addition, while the above embodiments have described a method of setting the inkjet head to power-saving mode by stopping the carrier clock included in the differential signal, such a power-saving mode setting method may be omitted.

[0067] Furthermore, the various numerical examples described in the above embodiments are not limited to those described in the embodiments, and other numerical values ​​may be used.

[0068] Furthermore, various types of inkjet head structures can be applied. For example, a so-called side-chute type inkjet head may be used, which ejects ink 9 from the center of the extending direction of each ejection channel Ce in the actuator plate 111. Alternatively, a so-called edge-chute type inkjet head may be used, which ejects ink 9 along the extending direction of each ejection channel Ce. Moreover, the printer system is not limited to the system described in the above embodiment, and various systems such as the MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) system can be applied.

[0069] Furthermore, this disclosure can be applied to either a circulating inkjet head, which circulates the ink 9 between the ink tank and the inkjet head, or a non-circulating inkjet head, which does not circulate the ink 9.

[0070] Furthermore, the series of processes described in the above embodiment may be performed by hardware (circuits) or by software (programs). If performed by software, the software consists of a group of programs that cause the computer to execute each function. Each program may, for example, be pre-installed in the computer or installed on the computer from a network or recording medium.

[0071] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a printer (inkjet printer) as a specific example of the "liquid jet recording device" in this disclosure, the invention is not limited to this example, and the disclosure can be applied to other devices other than inkjet printers. In other words, the "liquid jet head" (inkjet head) of this disclosure may be applied to other devices other than inkjet printers. Specifically, for example, the "liquid jet head" of this disclosure may be applied to devices such as facsimile machines and on-demand printing machines.

[0072] In addition, the various examples described so far may be applied in any combination.

[0073] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely illustrative and not limiting, and other effects may also occur.

[0074] Furthermore, this disclosure can also take the following form. (1) A liquid spray head that sprays liquid, A spray unit having multiple nozzles, Based on a differential signal supplied from an external print control unit of the liquid spray head, one or more drive boards output a drive signal to spray the liquid from the nozzle. Equipped with, The drive board has one or more drive devices that generate the drive signal based on the differential signal, The drive device is A signal conversion unit that generates a single-ended signal including print data and a data clock by performing signal conversion processing on the differential signal, A signal generation unit that generates the drive signal based on the print data and the data clock, and uses the data clock as a first clock that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal, A liquid spray head. (2) The drive device utilizes the data clock as a second clock, which is the system clock inside the drive device. The liquid spray head described in (1) above. (3) Multiple drive devices are provided on the drive board, Multiple of the aforementioned drive devices are cascaded to each other via the differential signal lines. The liquid spray head described in (1) or (2) above. (4) One or more liquid spray heads as described in any of (1) to (3) above, The print control unit and A liquid injection recording device equipped with a liquid injection system. (5) The print control unit sets the liquid spray head to power-saving mode by stopping the transport clock included in the differential signal and also stopping the data clock within the liquid spray head. The liquid injection recording device described in (4) above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1,1a~1c…Inkjet head, 11,11a~11c…Ejection unit, 111…Actuator plate, 112…Nozzle plate, 12…I / F board, 13,13a~13d…Drive board, 2…Print control unit, 20…Head setting unit, 21…Print data transfer unit, 22…Drive power output unit, 23…Switching circuit, 24…Operation clock generation unit, 4,4a~4c…Drive device, 40a…Deserializer control unit, 40b…Serializer control unit, 410…Shift register unit, 420…Latch circuit unit, 430…Waveform selection circuit unit, 440…Drive switch circuit unit, 41…FF circuit, 42…Latch circuit, 43…Waveform selection circuit, 44…Drive switch circuit, 47...Setting value control unit, 48...Setting value storage unit, 49...Selection signal generation circuit, 5...Printer, 9...Ink, P...Recording paper, Ce...Ejection channel, Hn...Nozzle hole, C1, C1a~C1d, C2, C2a~C2d, C3a~C3d...Connectors, Sc...Print control signal, SL...Differential signal, Ds...Serial data, Dp...Print data, CLKc...Transport clock, DCLK...Data clock, CLK0...Operation clock, CLK1...First clock, CLK2...Second clock (system clock), Da...Address data, St...Ejection timing signal, Ss...Head setting signal, EN...Enable signal, Sd...Drive signal, Vd...Drive voltage, Vp...Power supply voltage.

Claims

1. A liquid spray head that sprays liquid, A spray unit having multiple nozzles, Based on a differential signal supplied from an external print control unit of the liquid spray head, one or more drive boards output a drive signal to spray the liquid from the nozzle. Equipped with, The drive board has one or more drive devices that generate the drive signal based on the differential signal. The drive device is A signal conversion unit that generates a single-ended signal including print data and a data clock by performing signal conversion processing on the differential signal, A signal generation unit that generates the drive signal based on the print data and the data clock, and uses the data clock as a first clock that defines the unit period in the drive waveform of the drive signal, A liquid spray head.

2. The drive device utilizes the data clock as a second clock, which is the system clock inside the drive device. The liquid spray head according to claim 1.

3. Multiple drive devices are provided on the drive board, Multiple of the aforementioned drive devices are cascaded to each other via the differential signal lines. A liquid spray head according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. One or more liquid spray heads according to claim 1 or claim 2, The print control unit and A liquid injection recording device equipped with a liquid injection system.

5. The print control unit sets the liquid spray head to power-saving mode by stopping the transport clock included in the differential signal and also stopping the data clock within the liquid spray head. The liquid injection recording device according to claim 4.

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