LIQUID EJECTION DEVICE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection device that is able to improve the propagation velocity of a signal.SOLUTION: In a liquid ejection device, an integrated circuit that controls supply of the drive signal to the first drive element and the second drive element, based on an ejection control signal, has: a first switch circuit that receives an input of a drive signal and switches between outputting and not outputting the drive signal to the first drive element; a second switch circuit that receives an input of the drive signal and switches between outputting and not outputting the drive signal to the second drive element; and a switch control circuit that receives an input of an ejection control signal and controls whether each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs a drive signal or not; wherein the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit, based on first data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device and an integrated circuit device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known configuration of a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid onto a medium is one in which the internal pressure of a cavity filled with liquid is changed by driving a drive element based on a drive signal, and liquid is ejected based on the change in internal pressure. Among such liquid ejection devices that eject liquid by changing the internal pressure of a cavity by driving a drive element, there are known liquid ejection devices that eject high-viscosity liquids and liquid ejection devices that have a function for circulating liquid supplied to an ejection head, and that have multiple drive elements corresponding to one nozzle from which liquid is ejected, and that eject liquid by driving the multiple drive elements, for the purpose of stable ejection of liquid and stable circulation of liquid.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid ejection device that ejects ink by changing the internal pressure of a cavity by driving a piezoelectric element as a drive element, in which a drive IC that selectively applies a drive signal to the piezoelectric element is provided with a switch for supplying a drive signal to the corresponding piezoelectric element and a switch for supplying a drive signal to an adjacent piezoelectric element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-166767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the liquid ejection device described in Patent Document 1 was insufficient in terms of improving the signal propagation speed to meet the growing demand for faster liquid ejection speeds in recent years, and further in terms of improving the versatility of semiconductor devices, and there was room for improvement. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the liquid ejection device according to the present invention is to a drive signal output circuit that outputs a drive signal; an ejection control signal output circuit that outputs an ejection control signal including the first data and the second data; a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid based on the drive signal and the ejection control signal; Equipped with The liquid ejection head includes: a first driving element and a second driving element driven by the driving signal; an integrated circuit that controls supply of the drive signals to the first drive element and the second drive element based on the ejection control signal; having The integrated circuit comprises: a first switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the first drive element; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit which receives the ejection control signal and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; having the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data. A liquid ejection device comprising:

[0007] One aspect of the integrated circuit device according to the present invention is An integrated circuit provided in a liquid ejection head having a first driving element and a second driving element, a first switch circuit that receives a drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the first drive element; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit that receives an ejection control signal including first data and second data and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; Equipped with the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data. 23. An integrated circuit device comprising: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the liquid ejection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a waveform of a drive signal. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a drive signal selection circuit of a comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drive signal selection circuit in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of the shape of nozzle flow channels formed in a communication plate of the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a drive signal selection circuit in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used for the convenience of explanation. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described below are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0010] 1. First embodiment 1.1 Overview of liquid ejection device FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection device 1. The liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment is an inkjet printer of a serial printing type in which a carriage 21 mounted with a liquid ejection head 22 that ejects ink as an example of liquid moves back and forth, and the liquid ejection head 22 ejects ink onto a medium P being transported, thereby forming a desired image on the medium P. In the following explanation, the direction in which the carriage 21 moves is the X direction, the direction in which the medium P is transported is the Y direction, and the direction in which ink is ejected is the Z direction. Note that the explanation will be given assuming that the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are mutually orthogonal directions, but the various components of the liquid ejection device 1 are not limited to being provided orthogonal to each other. Here, the direction along the X direction in which the carriage 21 mounted with the liquid ejection head 22 that ejects liquid moves back and forth is the main scanning direction, the direction along the Y direction in which the medium P is transported is the transport direction, and the ink ejection direction in which the liquid ejection head 22 ejects ink is the ink ejection direction. The direction along the Z direction in which the ink is discharged may be referred to as the discharge direction.

[0011] In the following description, the starting side of an arrow indicating the X direction will be referred to as the -X side, and the tip side as the +X side, the starting side of an arrow indicating the Y direction will be referred to as the -Y side, and the tip side as the +Y side, and the starting side of an arrow indicating the Z direction will be referred to as the -Z side, and the tip side as the +Z side.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejection device 1 includes an ink container 2, a control unit 10, a head unit 20, a moving unit 30, a transport unit 40, and a circulation mechanism 90.

[0013] The ink container 2 stores multiple types of ink to be ejected onto the medium P. Colors of ink stored in the ink container 2 include black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, gray, etc. As the ink container 2 in which such ink is stored, an ink cartridge, a bag-shaped ink pack formed of a flexible film, an ink tank that can be refilled with ink, etc. can be used.

[0014] The circulation mechanism 90 supplies the ink stored in the ink container 2 to the liquid ejection head 22 based on a control signal CTR1 output by the control unit 10. The circulation mechanism 90 also recovers the ink stored in the discharge flow path of the liquid ejection head 22 based on the control signal CTR1 output by the control unit 10. In other words, the circulation mechanism 90 circulates the ink in the liquid ejection device 1.

[0015] The control unit 10 includes a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and controls each element of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0016] The head unit 20 includes a carriage 21 and a liquid ejection head 22. The liquid ejection head 22 is mounted on the carriage 21. The carriage 21 is fixed to an endless belt 32 included in a moving unit 30, which will be described later. The liquid ejection head 22 receives an ejection data signal DATA for controlling the ejection of ink output by the control unit 10 and a drive signal COM for driving the liquid ejection head 22 to eject ink. The liquid ejection head 22 ejects ink supplied from the ink container 2 via a circulation mechanism 90 onto the medium P based on the ejection data signal DATA and the drive signal COM.

[0017] The moving unit 30 includes a carriage motor 31 and an endless belt 32. The carriage motor 31 operates based on a control signal CTR2 input from the control unit 10. The endless belt 32 rotates in accordance with the operation of the carriage motor 31. As a result, the carriage 21 fixed to the endless belt 32 moves back and forth along the X direction.

[0018] The transport unit 40 includes a transport motor 41 and a transport roller 42. The transport motor 41 operates based on a control signal CTR3 input from the control unit 10. The transport roller 42 rotates in accordance with the operation of the transport motor 41. As the transport roller 42 rotates, the medium P is transported in the Y direction.

[0019] As described above, the liquid ejection device 1 ejects ink from the liquid ejection head 22 mounted on the carriage 21 in conjunction with the transport of the medium P by the transport unit 40 and the reciprocating movement of the carriage 21 by the moving unit 30, causing the ink to land at any position on the surface of the medium P, thereby forming a desired image on the medium P.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the liquid ejection device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid ejection device 1 includes a control unit 10 and a head unit 20. The control unit 10 and the head unit 20 are electrically connected by a cable 190 having slidability, such as a flexible flat cable.

[0021] The control unit 10 includes a control circuit 100 and a drive signal output circuit 50 .

[0022] An image information signal IMG including information of an image to be formed on a medium P output from an external device such as a host computer is input to the control circuit 100. Then, based on the image information signal IMG, the control circuit 100 outputs a discharge control signal DI, a latch signal LAT, a switching signal SW, and a clock signal SCK to the head unit 20 as a discharge data signal DATA for controlling each part of the liquid discharge device 1.

[0023] Specifically, the control circuit 100 generates a control signal CTR1 and outputs it to the circulation mechanism 90. The circulation mechanism 90 supplies the ink stored in the ink container 2 to the liquid ejection head 22 in accordance with the input control signal CTR1, and recovers the ink stored in the discharge flow path of the liquid ejection head 22. The control circuit 100 also generates a control signal CTR2 and outputs it to the carriage motor 31. This drives the carriage motor 31. The control circuit 100 also generates a control signal CTR3 and outputs it to the transport motor 41. This controls the reciprocating movement of the carriage 21 along the X direction and the transport of the medium P along the Y direction. The control signals CTR1, CTR2, and CTR3 may be input to corresponding configurations via a driver circuit (not shown).

[0024] Furthermore, the control circuit 100 generates a basic drive signal dA and outputs it to the drive signal output circuit 50. The drive signal output circuit 50 generates a drive signal COM based on the input basic drive signal dA and outputs it to the head unit 20. Specifically, the drive signal output circuit 50 performs digital / analog conversion on the input basic drive signal dA and performs class D amplification on the converted analog signal to generate the drive signal COM and output it to the head unit 20.

[0025] The head unit 20 has a plurality of liquid ejection heads 22. Each of the plurality of liquid ejection heads 22 includes a drive signal selection circuit 200 and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 60. The drive signal selection circuit 200 receives the ejection control signal DI, latch signal LAT, switching signal SW, and clock signal SCK output by the control circuit 100, and the drive signal COM output by the drive signal output circuit 50. The drive signal selection circuit 200 switches whether or not to supply the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric element 60 based on the ejection control signal DI, latch signal LAT, switching signal SW, and clock signal SCK input. Here, in the following description, a signal generated by switching whether or not to supply the drive signal COM output by the drive signal selection circuit 200 to the piezoelectric element 60 is referred to as a drive signal VOUT. The configuration and operation of the drive signal selection circuit 200 will be described in detail later.

[0026] A drive signal VOUT output by the drive signal selection circuit 200 is supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60. A reference voltage signal VBS serving as a reference potential for driving the piezoelectric element 60 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60. The piezoelectric element 60 is driven in accordance with the potential difference between the drive signal VOUT and the reference voltage signal VBS. Here, the reference voltage signal VBS supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 is a DC voltage signal serving as a reference for driving the piezoelectric element 60, and may be a signal of a constant potential such as DC 5.5 V or DC 6 V, or may be a signal of ground potential.

[0027] Here, the drive signal COM is an example of a drive signal output by the drive signal output circuit 50. In addition, since the drive signal VOUT is a signal generated by switching whether or not to supply the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric element 60, the drive signal VOUT can also be said to be an example of a drive signal output by the drive signal output circuit 50.

[0028] 1.2 Configuration of the liquid ejection head 22 Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the liquid ejection head 22 provided with the drive signal selection circuit 200. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejection head 22. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid ejection head 22 includes a nozzle substrate 360 ​​, compliance sheets 361 and 362 , a communication plate 302 , a pressure chamber substrate 303 , a vibration plate 304 , a storage chamber forming substrate 305 , and a wiring substrate 308 .

[0030] The nozzle substrate 360 ​​is a plate-like member that is long in the Y direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane. M nozzles N are formed on the nozzle substrate 360. The nozzles N are through holes provided in the nozzle substrate 360. The M nozzles N are arranged side by side along the Y direction on the nozzle substrate 360. In the following description, a row of the nozzles N arranged side by side along the Y direction may be referred to as a nozzle row Ln. Here, "substantially parallel" includes cases where the nozzles are completely parallel, as well as cases where they can be considered to be parallel when an error is taken into consideration.

[0031] The communicating plate 302 is located on the -Z side of the nozzle substrate 360. The communicating plate 302 is a plate-shaped member that is long in the Y direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane, and has an ink flow path formed therein.

[0032] Specifically, a supply flow passage RA1 and a discharge flow passage RA2 are formed in the communication plate 302. The supply flow passage RA1 is located on the +X side of the communication plate 302 and extends along the Y direction. The discharge flow passage RA2 is located on the -X side of the communication plate 302 and extends along the Y direction.

[0033] In addition, the communicating plate 302 is formed with M connecting flow paths RK1 in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N, M connecting flow paths RK2 in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N, M communicating flow paths RR1 in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N, M communicating flow paths RR2 in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N, and M nozzle flow paths RN in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N.

[0034] The M connection flow paths RK1 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction on the -X side of the supply flow path RA1. The M communication flow paths RR1 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction on the -X side of the M connection flow paths RK1 arranged in parallel along the Y direction. The M connection flow paths RK2 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction on the +X side of the discharge flow path RA2 on the -X side of the M communication flow paths RR1 arranged in parallel along the Y direction. The M communication flow paths RR2 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction on the +X side of the M connection flow paths RK2 arranged in parallel along the Y direction on the -X side of the M communication flow paths RR1 arranged in parallel along the Y direction. The nozzle flow path NR communicates the communication flow path RR1 and the communication flow path RR2 corresponding to a common nozzle N. When the communication plate 302 is viewed from the Z direction, the nozzle N corresponding to the approximately center of the nozzle flow path NR in the X direction is located. Here, "approximately the center" includes a case where it is strictly the center, as well as a case where it can be considered to be the center when an error is taken into consideration.

[0035] The pressure chamber substrate 303 is located on the -Z side of the communication plate 302. The pressure chamber substrate 303 is It is a plate-shaped member that is long in the Y-axis direction and extends approximately parallel to the XY plane, and has an ink flow path formed therein.

[0036] Specifically, M pressure chambers CB1 corresponding one-to-one to the M nozzles N, and M pressure chambers CB2 corresponding one-to-one to the M nozzles N are formed in the pressure chamber substrate 303 and are aligned along the Y-axis direction. The pressure chamber CB1 corresponds to a common nozzle N. The connection flow passage RK1 communicates with the communication flow passage RR1. In detail, when viewed from the Z direction, the +X side end of the pressure chamber CB1 communicates with the connection flow passage RK1, and the -X side end of the pressure chamber CB1 communicates with the communication flow passage RR1, so that the pressure chamber CB1 communicates with the connection flow passage RK1 corresponding to the common nozzle N and the communication flow passage RR1. Also, the pressure chamber CB2 communicates with the connection flow passage RK2 corresponding to the common nozzle N and the communication flow passage RR2. In detail, when viewed from the Z direction, the -X side end of the pressure chamber CB2 communicates with the connection flow passage RK2, and the +X side end of the pressure chamber CB2 communicates with the communication flow passage RR2, so that the pressure chamber CB2 communicates with the connection flow passage RK2 corresponding to the common nozzle N and the communication flow passage RR2.

[0037] The diaphragm 304 is located on the -Z side of the pressure chamber substrate 303. The diaphragm 304 is a plate-like member that is long in the Y direction and extends substantially parallel to the XY plane, and is a member that can vibrate elastically.

[0038] On the -Z side of the vibration plate 304, M piezoelectric elements 60a corresponding one-to-one to the M pressure chambers CB1 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 possessed by the liquid ejection head 22, and M piezoelectric elements 60b corresponding one-to-one to the M pressure chambers CB2 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 possessed by the liquid ejection head 22 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction. That is, on the -Z side of the vibration plate 304, 2M piezoelectric elements 60 are arranged in parallel in two rows.

[0039] The piezoelectric elements 60a, 60b are driven in response to a change in the potential of the supplied drive signal VOUT. The vibration plate 304 is displaced in conjunction with the driving of the piezoelectric elements 60a, 60b. As a result, the internal pressure of the pressure chambers CB1, CB2 changes. As the internal pressure of the pressure chambers CB1, CB2 changes, the ink filled in the pressure chambers CB1, CB2 passes through the communication channels RR1, RR2 and the nozzle channel RN and is ejected from the nozzle N.

[0040] The wiring board 308 is connected to the surface of the vibration plate 304 on the -Z side. The wiring board 308 transmits various signals, including the discharge data signal DATA and the drive signal COM, to the inside of the liquid discharge head 22. For example, a flexible configuration such as a flexible printed circuit (FPC) is used as the wiring board 308. In addition, the integrated circuit 201 is mounted on the wiring board 308 by COF (Chip On Film). The above-mentioned drive signal selection circuit 200 is mounted on this integrated circuit 201. That is, the wiring board 308 transmits various signals, including the discharge data signal DATA and the drive signal COM, to the integrated circuit 201, and transmits the drive signal VOUT output by the drive signal selection circuit 200 included in the integrated circuit 201 to the corresponding piezoelectric element 60. The integrated circuit 201 on which the drive signal selection circuit 200 is mounted is an example of an integrated circuit device.

[0041] The storage chamber forming substrate 305 is located on the -Z side of the communication plate 302. The storage chamber forming substrate 5 is a member that is long in the Y direction, and has an ink flow path formed therein.

[0042] Specifically, the storage chamber forming substrate 5 is formed with a supply flow path RB1 and a discharge flow path RB2. The supply flow path RB1 communicates with the supply flow path RA1. The discharge flow path RB2 communicates with the discharge flow path RA2. The storage chamber forming substrate 5 is also provided with an inlet 351 communicating with the supply flow path RB1 and a discharge port 352 communicating with the discharge flow path RB2. The inlet 351 is supplied with ink from the ink container 2. As a result, the supply flow path RB1 is supplied with ink from the ink container 2 through the inlet 351. The ink stored in the discharge flow path RB2 is collected through the discharge port 352. The ink collected from the discharge port 352 is returned to the ink container 2. The storage chamber forming substrate 305 is also formed with an opening 350. Inside the opening 350, a pressure chamber substrate 303, a vibration plate 304, and a wiring substrate 308 are provided.

[0043] Such a storage chamber forming substrate 305 is formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material.

[0044] The reservoir chamber forming substrate 305 may be manufactured by arbitrarily adopting known materials and manufacturing methods.

[0045] In the liquid ejection head 22 configured as above, ink supplied from the ink container 2 to the inlet 351 flows into the supply flow path RA1 via the supply flow path RB1. The ink that flows into the supply flow path RA1 branches off for each nozzle N in the connection flow path RK1 and flows into the pressure chamber CB1. A portion of the ink that flows into the pressure chamber CB1 flows into the pressure chamber CB2 via the communication flow path RR1, the nozzle flow path RN, and the communication flow path RR2. A portion of the ink that flows into the pressure chamber CB2 flows into the connection flow path RK2, the discharge flow path RA2, and the discharge flow path RB2, and is discharged from the discharge port 352.

[0046] When the piezoelectric element 60a is driven by a drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM, a portion of the ink filling the inside of the pressure chamber CB1 is ejected from the nozzle N via the communication flow path RR1 and the nozzle flow path RN. When the piezoelectric element 60b is driven by a drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM, a portion of the ink filling the inside of the pressure chamber CB2 is ejected from the nozzle N via the communication flow path RR2 and the nozzle flow path RN.

[0047] The compliance sheet 361 is located on the +Z side of the communicating plate 302, and blocks the supply flow path RA1 and the connection flow path RK1 formed in the communicating plate 302. The compliance sheet 361 is formed containing an elastic material, and absorbs pressure fluctuations of ink occurring in the supply flow path RA1 and the connection flow path RK1. The compliance sheet 362 is located on the +Z side of the communicating plate 302, and blocks the discharge flow path RA2 and the connection flow path RK2 formed in the communicating plate 302. The compliance sheet 362 is formed containing an elastic material, and absorbs pressure fluctuations of ink occurring in the discharge flow path RA2 and the connection flow path RK2.

[0048] As described above, the liquid ejection head 22 of the liquid ejection device 1 according to this embodiment has the pressure chamber CB1, the pressure of which changes when the piezoelectric element 60a is driven, the pressure chamber CB2, the pressure of which changes when the piezoelectric element 60b is driven, and the nozzle N, which communicates with the pressure chamber CB1 and the pressure chamber CB2 and ejects liquid. This makes it possible to guide the ink supplied from the supply flow path RA1 to the liquid ejection head 22 to the discharge flow path RA2, and the ink circulates inside the liquid ejection head 22. As a result, the risk of the ink stored in the liquid ejection head 22 changing in properties, such as a change in viscosity, is reduced.

[0049] Furthermore, the liquid ejection head 22 according to this embodiment can eject the ink filled inside the pressure chamber CB1 and the ink filled inside the pressure chamber CB2 from the nozzle N by using two piezoelectric elements 60, namely, piezoelectric elements 60a and 60b. This makes it possible to improve the driving capability compared to the case where the ink filled inside one pressure chamber is ejected from the nozzle N using one piezoelectric element 60. As a result, the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle N can be increased, and stable ejection characteristics can be achieved even when highly viscous ink is used.

[0050] In the following description, the configuration including the piezoelectric elements 60a, 60b, the pressure chambers CB1, CB2, the communicating channels RR1, RR2, and the nozzle N may be referred to as an ejection section 600 for ejecting ink from the nozzle N by driving the piezoelectric elements 60.

[0051] 1.3 Example of drive signal waveform Here, an example of the waveform of the drive signal COM output by the drive signal output circuit 50 will be described. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of the drive signal COM. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive signal COM is a signal that includes a trapezoidal waveform Adp for each period T. The trapezoidal waveform Adp included in this drive signal COM includes a certain period at voltage Vc, a certain period at voltage Vb that is lower in potential than voltage Vc and is located after the certain period at voltage Vc, a certain period at voltage Vt that is higher in potential than voltage Vc and is located after the certain period at voltage Vb, and a certain period at voltage Vc that is located after the certain period at voltage Vt. That is, the drive signal COM includes a trapezoidal waveform Adp that starts at voltage Vc and ends at voltage Vc.

[0052] Here, the voltage Vc functions as a reference potential that is a reference for the displacement of the piezoelectric element 60 driven by the drive signal COM. At this time, the displacement of the piezoelectric element 60 is maintained in a constant state. Then, when the drive signal VOUT based on the drive signal COM including the trapezoidal waveform Adp is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60, the voltage value of the drive signal VOUT changes from voltage Vc to voltage Vb. This causes the piezoelectric element 60 to bend, for example, upward, and as a result, the internal volumes of the pressure chambers CB1 and CB2 are expanded. Therefore, ink is drawn into the pressure chambers CB1 and CB2. Thereafter, the voltage value of the drive signal VOUT changes from voltage Vb to voltage Vt, causing the piezoelectric element 60 to bend downward, and as a result, the internal volumes of the pressure chambers CB1 and CB2 are reduced. Therefore, the ink stored in the pressure chambers CB1 and CB2 is ejected from the nozzle N.

[0053] Here, after ink is ejected from the nozzle N by driving the piezoelectric element 60, the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle N and the vibration plate 304 may continue to vibrate for a certain period of time. The certain period of time at the voltage Vc included in the drive signal COM functions as a period for stopping the vibration generated in the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle N and the vibration plate 304, thereby realizing stable ink ejection characteristics for each period T.

[0054] 1.4 Configuration and operation of the drive signal selection circuit Next, in a liquid ejection device 1 having a liquid ejection head 22 in which an ejection section 600 has two piezoelectric elements 60 and ejects ink from one nozzle N using the two piezoelectric elements 60, the configuration and operation of a drive signal selection circuit 200 that outputs a drive signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 will be described.

[0055] In describing the configuration and operation of the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment, first, the configuration and operation of a drive signal selection circuit 200a in a comparative example will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Then, problems that may arise when the drive signal selection circuit 200a in the comparative example is applied to a liquid ejection device 1 having a liquid ejection head 22 in which an ejection section 600 has two piezoelectric elements 60 and ejects ink from one nozzle N using the two piezoelectric elements 60 will be described.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a drive signal selection circuit 200a of the comparative example. As shown in Fig. 6, the drive signal selection circuit 200a of the comparative example has a selection control circuit 210 and 2M selection circuits TG provided corresponding to the 2M piezoelectric elements 60. The selection control circuit 210 also has a shift register 220 and 2M latch circuits LT corresponding to the 2M selection circuits TG.

[0057] The shift register 220 has 2M registers RG corresponding to the 2M piezoelectric elements 60. The shift register 220 transfers ejection data dDI contained in the input ejection control signal DI in sequence to the subsequent register RG in synchronization with the clock signal SCK, and when the supply of the clock signal SCK stops, holds the ejection data dDI in the register RG. Here, the ejection data dDI contained in the ejection control signal DI is a 1-bit data signal that specifies whether or not to supply the drive signal COM to the piezoelectric element 60 as the drive signal VOUT. In other words, the ejection control signal DI includes a 1-bit data signal that specifies whether or not the drive signal COM is to be supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 as the drive signal VOUT. The ejection data dDI is serially included in the number 2M, which is the same as the number of 0. In other words, the ejection control signal DI is a 2M-bit signal serially including 2M pieces of ejection data dDI.

[0058] The shift register 220 includes a first shift register 221 and a second shift register 222. The first shift register 221 includes M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] connected in series among the 2M registers RG. The first shift register 221 transfers the discharge data dDI included in the discharge control signal DI to the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] in sequence at the falling edge of the clock signal SCK, and holds the discharge data dDI included in the discharge control signal DI in the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] when the supply of the clock signal SCK stops. Here, the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] are connected in series in the first shift register 221 from the downstream side to the upstream side where the discharge control signal DI is transferred, in the order of register RGa[1], register RGa[2], ..., register RGa[M]. That is, the ejection data dDI included in the ejection control signal DI is transferred in the order of register RGa[M], register RGa[M-1], . . . , register RGa[1] in synchronization with the falling edge of the clock signal SCK.

[0059] The second shift register 222 has M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] connected in series among the 2M registers RG. The second shift register 222 transfers the discharge data dDI included in the discharge control signal DI to the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] in sequence at the rising edge of the clock signal SCK, and holds the discharge data dDI included in the discharge control signal DI in the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] when the supply of the clock signal SCK stops. Here, the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] are connected in series in the second shift register 222 from the downstream side to the upstream side where the discharge control signal DI is transferred, in the order of register RGb[1], register RGb[2], ..., register RGb[M]. That is, the ejection data dDI included in the ejection control signal DI is transferred in the order of the register RGb[M], the register RGb[M-1], . . . , the register RGb[1] in synchronization with the rising edge of the clock signal SCK.

[0060] The 2M latch circuits LT are provided corresponding to the registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] of the first shift register 221 and the registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] of the second shift register 222. Then, at the rising edge of the latch signal LAT, the latch circuits LT simultaneously latch the 2M pieces of ejection data dDI held in the registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] of the first shift register 221 and the registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] of the second shift register 222.

[0061] Thereafter, the latch circuit LT outputs the latched ejection data dDI as a selection signal S to the corresponding selection circuit TG. The selection circuit TG includes, for example, a transfer gate. The selection signal S latched by the latch circuit LT is input to a control terminal of the transfer gate constituting the corresponding selection circuit TG. In addition, the drive signal COM is supplied to the input terminal of the transfer gate constituting the selection circuit TG. Then, when the input selection signal S is a signal based on data indicating that the drive signal COM is to be output as the drive signal VOUT, the selection circuit TG supplies the drive signal COM as the drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60. On the other hand, when the selection signal S input to the control terminal is a signal based on data indicating that the drive signal COM is not to be output as the drive signal VOUT, the selection circuit TG does not supply the drive signal COM as the drive signal VOUT to the piezoelectric element 60.

[0062] In the drive signal selection circuit 200a of the comparative example configured as above, one ejection section 60 Even when the ink jet head 600 has two piezoelectric elements 60 and ejects ink from one nozzle, it is necessary to propagate the ejection control signal DI including the ejection data dDI corresponding to the two piezoelectric elements 60 through the shift register 220. Therefore, it is difficult to shorten the data length of the ejection control signal DI, and it is difficult to improve the propagation speed of the ejection control signal DI. In addition, a drive signal VOUT having a similar signal waveform is generally supplied to two piezoelectric elements 60 included in one ejection unit 600. In view of this, it is possible to output a drive signal COM for driving two piezoelectric elements 60 from one selection circuit TG included in the drive signal selection circuit 200a, but in this case, the current flowing through the selection circuit TG increases, and as a result, the selection circuit TG is required to be enlarged. As a result, it is difficult to miniaturize the integrated circuit 201 on which the drive signal selection circuit 200a is implemented.

[0063] In response to the above problems, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment makes it possible to improve the propagation speed of the discharge control signal DI, thereby increasing versatility without hindering the miniaturization of the integrated circuit 201 in which the drive signal selection circuit 200 is implemented.

[0064] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment. In describing the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment, the same components as those in the drive signal selection circuit 200a of the comparative example shown in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment includes a switching circuit 240 that is connected to the output of one of two latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in a common discharge section 600 and the selection circuit TG corresponding to that latch circuit.

[0066] Specifically, one input terminal of the switching circuit 240 is connected to the output of one of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600, and the other input terminal of the switching circuit 240 is connected to the output of the other of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600. An output terminal of the switching circuit 240 is connected to a selection circuit TG corresponding to one of the latch circuits LT. A switching signal SW is input to a control terminal of the switching circuit 240.

[0067] The switching circuit 240 configured as described above switches between inputting the selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT input to one input terminal to the selection circuit TG, or inputting the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT to the selection circuit TG, based on the logical level of the switching signal SW input to the control terminal.

[0068] In other words, the switching circuit 240 switches between inputting the selection signal S output by one of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600 to the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT in common, or inputting the selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT to the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT and inputting the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT to the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT. That is, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment has a mode of controlling the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT based on the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600, and a mode of controlling the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT based on the selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600, and controlling the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT based on the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT. and a mode in which the drive signal selection circuit 200 controls the selection circuits TG corresponding to the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600 based on the selection signal S output from one latch circuit LT.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 7, in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of this embodiment, the shift register 220 has a plurality of switching circuits 230.

[0070] Specifically, some of the multiple switching circuits 230 are connected in series with M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] of the first shift register 221 included in the shift register 220. Specifically, one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[2] between register RGa[1] and register RGa[2] among M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[3], and the output terminal connected to register RGa[1]. Also, another one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[4] between register RGa[3] and register RGa[4] among M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[5], and the output terminal connected to register RGa[3]. That is, in the first shift register 221 included in the shift register 220, a plurality of switching circuits 230 are arranged between register RGa[i] (i is an odd number between 1 and M) and register RGa[i+1] among the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M], with one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[i+1], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[i+2], and the output terminal connected to register RGa[i].

[0071] Some of the multiple switching circuits 230 are connected in series with the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] of the second shift register 222 included in the shift register 220. Specifically, one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[3] between the register RGb[2] and the register RGb[3] among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[4], and the output terminal connected to the register RGb[2]. Another one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[5] between the register RGb[4] and the register RGb[5] among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[6], and the output terminal connected to the register RGb[4]. That is, in the second shift register 222 included in the shift register 220, a plurality of switching circuits 230 are arranged between register RGa[j] (i is an even number between 2 and M) and register RGb[j+1] among M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M], with one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[j+1], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[j+2], and the output terminal connected to register RGa[j].

[0072] The shift register 220 configured as above has a plurality of switching circuits 230. In the first shift register 221, register RGa[p] (p is an even number) from among M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] connected in series can be thinned out, and in the second shift register 222, register RGb[q] (q is an odd number) from among M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] connected in series can be thinned out.

[0073] Here, the registers RG that are thinned out in the multiple switching circuits 230 are connected to latch circuits LT that are not supplied with the selection signals S that are output by the switching circuit 240 to the corresponding selection circuits TG. The latch circuit LT is set to the corresponding register RG. This makes it possible to remove the ejection data dDI corresponding to the latch circuit LT from the ejection control signal DI, thereby shortening the data length of the ejection control signal DI.

[0074] 7, the switching circuit 240 and the multiple switching circuits 230 are switched by a common switching signal SW. This reduces the risk of inconsistency in the states between the switching circuit 240 and the multiple switching circuits 230 in the drive signal selection circuit 200, and improves the operational stability of the drive signal selection circuit 200.

[0075] Here, any of the ejection data dDI included in the ejection control signal DI is an example of the first data, the register RG in which the ejection data dDI corresponding to the first data is held is an example of the first register, the latch circuit LT that latches the ejection data dDI held in the register RG corresponding to the first register is an example of the first latch circuit, the selection circuit TG corresponding to the latch circuit corresponding to the first latch circuit is an example of the first switch circuit, and the piezoelectric element 60 that switches whether or not the selection circuit TG corresponding to the first switch circuit outputs the drive signal VOUT is an example of the first drive element. The piezoelectric element 60 included in the same ejection section 600 as the piezoelectric element 60 corresponding to the first drive element is an example of the second drive element, the selection circuit TG that switches whether or not the drive signal VOUT is output to the piezoelectric element 60 corresponding to the second drive element is an example of the second switch circuit, the latch circuit LT that supplies the selection signal S to the selection circuit TG corresponding to the second switch circuit is an example of the second latch circuit, the register RG that holds the ejection data dDI latched by the latch circuit LT corresponding to the second latch circuit is an example of the second register, and the ejection data dDI held in the second register is an example of the second latch circuit. 2The switching circuit 240 to which the selection signal S based on the ejection data dDI output by the latch circuit LT corresponding to the first latch circuit and the selection signal S based on the ejection data dDI output by the latch circuit LT corresponding to the second latch circuit are input is an example of a third switch circuit. The control circuit 100 that outputs the ejection control signal DI is an example of an ejection control signal output circuit, and the selection control circuit 210 included in the drive signal selection circuit 200 is an example of a switch control circuit. The switching signal SW is an example of an ejection control signal, and either the pressure chamber CB1 or the pressure chamber CB2 is an example of a first pressure chamber, and the other is an example of a second pressure chamber. An example of the first mode is a mode in which, of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in one discharge section 600, the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT are controlled based on the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT, and an example of the second mode is a mode in which, of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in one discharge section 600, the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT is controlled based on the selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT, and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT is controlled based on the selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT.

[0076] 1.5 Effects In the liquid ejection device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the drive signal selection circuit 200 included in the liquid ejection head 22 controls two selection circuits TG corresponding to the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common ejection section 600 based on the selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT, thereby making it possible to reduce the ejection data dDI for controlling the selection circuit TG included in the ejection control signal DI, and as a result, the data length of the ejection control signal DI can be shortened. Furthermore, by shortening the data length of the ejection control signal DI, the signal propagation speed of the ejection control signal DI is improved.

[0077] In the liquid ejection device 1 of the present embodiment, the drive signal selection circuit 200 selects a drive signal corresponding to one of the latch circuits LT based on a selection signal S output by the other of the latch circuits LT corresponding to the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common ejection section 600. and a mode in which, of the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600, the selection circuit TG corresponding to one latch circuit LT is controlled based on a selection signal S output by one latch circuit LT, and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the other latch circuit LT is controlled based on a selection signal S output by the other latch circuit LT. This allows the drive signal selection circuit 200 to switch its operation depending on whether the common discharge section 600 includes one piezoelectric element 60 or two piezoelectric elements 60, thereby improving the versatility of the drive signal selection circuit 200.

[0078] 2. Second embodiment Next, a liquid ejection device 1 of a second embodiment will be described. The liquid ejection device 1 of the first embodiment has been described as having an ejection section 600 with two piezoelectric elements 60, and ejecting ink from one nozzle N using the two piezoelectric elements 60. However, the liquid ejection device 1 of the second embodiment differs from the liquid ejection device of the first embodiment in that the ejection section 600 has four piezoelectric elements 60, and ejects ink from one nozzle N using the four piezoelectric elements 60. In describing the liquid ejection device 1 of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0079] In the liquid ejection device 1 of the second embodiment, 2M connection flow paths RK1, 2M connection flow paths RK2, 2M communication flow paths RR1, 2M communication flow paths RR2, and M nozzle flow paths RN in one-to-one correspondence with the M nozzles N are formed in the communication plate 302 of the liquid ejection head 22. The nozzle flow path NR communicates two communication flow paths RR1 and two communication flow paths RR2 corresponding to a common nozzle N, and the corresponding nozzle N is located approximately in the center in the X direction.

[0080] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the shape of the nozzle flow passages NR formed in the communication plate 302 of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, the nozzle flow passages NR communicate two communication passages RR and two communication passages RR2, specifically, the nozzle flow passages NR communicate one of the two communication passages RR1 with one of the two communication passages RR2, and communicate the other of the two communication passages RR1 with the other of the two communication passages RR2. In this case, the nozzle flow passages NR are formed so that the nozzle flow passages NR communicating one of the two communication passages RR1 with one of the two communication passages RR2 and the nozzle flow passages NR communicating the other of the two communication passages RR1 with the other of the two communication passages RR2 intersect at the communication plate 302. A nozzle N is located at the intersection of a nozzle flow path NR that connects one of the two communicating flow paths RR1 to one of the two communicating flow paths RR2 and a nozzle flow path NR that connects the other of the two communicating flow paths RR1 to the other of the two communicating flow paths RR2.

[0081] Similarly to the first embodiment, the pressure chamber CB1 communicates with the communication flow path RR1 and the connection flow path RK1, and the pressure chamber CB2 communicates with the communication flow path RR2 and the connection flow path RK2. Therefore, the nozzle N communicates with two pressure chambers CB1 corresponding to the two communication flow paths RR1 and two pressure chambers CB2 corresponding to the two communication flow paths RR2. On the -Z side of the vibration plate 304, 2M piezoelectric elements 60a corresponding one-to-one to the 2M pressure chambers CB1 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 of the liquid ejection head 22, and 2M piezoelectric elements 60b corresponding one-to-one to the 2M pressure chambers CB2 among the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 of the liquid ejection head 22 are arranged in parallel along the Y direction. Therefore, the liquid ejection head 22 in the second embodiment has two piezoelectric elements 60a corresponding to the two pressure chambers CB1 communicating with the nozzle N and two piezoelectric elements 60b corresponding to the two pressure chambers CB2.

[0082] As described above, in the liquid ejection head 22 in the second embodiment, the nozzle flow path NR communicates with the two communication flow paths RR1 and the two communication flow paths RR2 corresponding to a common nozzle N. In addition, the nozzle N is located approximately in the center in the X direction. As a result, in the liquid ejection head 22, an ejection section 600 including a nozzle flow path NR has four piezoelectric elements 60, and ink is ejected from one nozzle N by driving the four piezoelectric elements 60.

[0083] 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the drive signal selection circuit 200 in the second embodiment. In describing the drive signal selection circuit 200 in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in this embodiment has three switching circuits 240 connected to the outputs of three of the four latch circuits LT corresponding to the four piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600 and the selection circuit TG corresponding to the latch circuits LT.

[0085] Specifically, one input terminal of each of the three switching circuits 240 is connected to the output of a corresponding latch circuit LT, the other input terminal of each of the three switching circuits 240 is connected to the output of a latch circuit LT that is not connected to the switching circuit 240 among the four latch circuits LT, and the output terminals of the three switching circuits 240 are connected to the corresponding selection circuits TG. Also, a switching signal SW is input to the control terminal of each of the three switching circuits 240.

[0086] Each of the three switching circuits 240 configured as described above switches, based on the logical level of the switching signal SW input to the control terminal, whether to input the selection signal S output by the corresponding latch circuit LT input to one input terminal to the corresponding selection circuit TG, or to input the selection signal S output by the latch circuit LT that is not connected to the switching circuit 240 and input to the other input terminal to the corresponding selection circuit TG.

[0087] That is, the three switching circuits 240 switch whether to input the selection signal S output by the latch circuit LT not connected to the switching circuit 240 among the latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the four piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600 to the corresponding selection circuit TG, or to input the selection signal S output by each of the four latch circuits LT to the corresponding selection circuit TG. That is, the drive signal selection circuit 200 in the second embodiment has a mode in which the four selection circuits TG corresponding to each of the four latch circuits LT are commonly controlled based on the selection signal S output by the latch circuit LT not connected to the switching circuit 240 among the four latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the four piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600, and a mode in which the corresponding selection circuit TG is controlled based on the selection signal S output by each of the four latch circuits LT corresponding to each of the four piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common discharge section 600. This allows the drive signal selection circuit 200 to control the four selection circuits TG corresponding to the two piezoelectric elements 60 included in the common ejection section 600, respectively, based on the selection signal S output from one latch circuit LT.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 9, in the drive signal selection circuit 200 of this embodiment, the shift register 220 has a plurality of switching circuits 230.

[0089] Specifically, some of the multiple switching circuits 230 are connected in series with the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] of the first shift register 221 included in the shift register 220. Specifically, one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[3] between register RGa[2] and register RGa[3] among the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[6], and an output terminal connected to register RGa[2]. Also, another one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[6] between register RGa[7] and register RGa[6] between the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M]. Between the registers RGa[1] to RGa[M], one input terminal is connected to the output of the register RGa[7], the other input terminal is connected to the output of the register RGa

[10] , and the output terminal is connected to the register RGa[6]. That is, in the first shift register 221 included in the shift register 220, between the register RGa[2+r] (r is 0 or a multiple of 4 from 1 to M-2) and the register RGa[3+r], one input terminal is connected to the output of the register RGa[3+r], the other input terminal is connected to the output of the register RGa[6+r], and the output terminal is connected to the register RGa[2+r].

[0090] Some of the multiple switching circuits 230 are connected in series with the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] of the second shift register 222 included in the shift register 220. Specifically, one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[4] between the registers RGb[3] and RGb[4] among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[7], and the output terminal connected to the register RGb[3]. Another one of the multiple switching circuits 230 has one input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb[8] between the registers RGb[7] and RGb[8] among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M], the other input terminal connected to the output of the register RGb

[11] , and the output terminal connected to the register RGb[7]. That is, in the second shift register 222 included in the shift register 220, the multiple switching circuits 230 have one input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[4+s], the other input terminal connected to the output of register RGa[7+s], and an output terminal connected to register RGa[3+s] between register RGa[3+s] (s is 0 or a multiple of 4 from 1 to M-2) and register RGb[4+s] among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M].

[0091] The multiple switching circuits 230 of the shift register 220 configured as described above can thin out some of the registers RGa among the M registers RGa[1] to RGa[M] connected in series in the first shift register 221, and can thin out some of the registers RGb among the M registers RGb[1] to RGb[M] connected in series in the second shift register 222.

[0092] Here, the registers RG to be thinned out in the multiple switching circuits 230 are set in the switching circuit 240 so as to be the registers RG corresponding to the latch circuits LT whose output selection signals S are not supplied to the corresponding selection circuits TG. This makes it possible to remove the ejection data dDI corresponding to the latch circuits LT from the ejection control signals DI, and as a result, it is possible to shorten the data length of the ejection control signals DI.

[0093] Similarly to the first embodiment, the switching circuit 240 and the multiple switching circuits 230 are switched by a common switching signal SW. This reduces the risk of inconsistency in the states between the switching circuit 240 and the multiple switching circuits 230 in the drive signal selection circuit 200, improving the operational stability of the drive signal selection circuit 200.

[0094] That is, the liquid ejection device 1 in the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those in the first embodiment.

[0095] Although the embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined.

[0096] The present invention includes configurations that are substantially the same as the configurations described in the embodiments (for example, configurations with the same functions, methods and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect). The present invention also includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present invention also includes configurations that achieve the same effects as the configurations described in the embodiments or that can achieve the same purpose. The present invention also includes configurations in which publicly known technology is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0097] The following can be derived from the above-described embodiment.

[0098] One aspect of the liquid ejection device is a drive signal output circuit that outputs a drive signal; an ejection control signal output circuit that outputs an ejection control signal including the first data and the second data; a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid based on the drive signal and the ejection control signal; Equipped with The liquid ejection head includes: a first driving element and a second driving element driven by the driving signal; an integrated circuit that controls supply of the drive signals to the first drive element and the second drive element based on the ejection control signal; having The integrated circuit comprises: a first switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the first drive element; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit which receives the ejection control signal and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; having The switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data.

[0099] According to this liquid ejection device, it is possible to operate a plurality of switches including the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on one piece of data, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data included in the ejection control signal, thereby improving the communication speed of the ejection control signal.

[0100] In one aspect of the liquid ejection device, The switch control circuit may have a first mode in which it controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data, and a second mode in which it controls the first switch circuit based on the first data and controls the second switch circuit based on the second data.

[0101] According to this liquid ejection device, it is possible to operate a plurality of switches including the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on one piece of data, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data included in the ejection control signal, thereby improving the communication speed of the ejection control signal.

[0102] Furthermore, according to this liquid ejection device, versatility is improved by having a first mode in which the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are controlled based on first data, and a second mode in which the first switch circuit is controlled based on the first data and the second switch circuit is controlled based on second data.

[0103] In one aspect of the liquid ejection device, The switch control circuit includes: a first register for holding the first data; a second register for holding the second data; a first latch circuit that latches and outputs the first data held in the first register; a second latch circuit that latches and outputs the second data held in the second register; a third switch circuit to which the first data output by the first latch circuit and the second data output by the second latch circuit are input; having The third switch circuit may switch between outputting the first data to the second switch circuit and outputting the second data to the second switch circuit.

[0104] According to this liquid ejection device, it is possible to operate a plurality of switches including the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on one piece of data, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data included in the ejection control signal, thereby improving the communication speed of the ejection control signal.

[0105] Furthermore, according to this liquid ejection device, versatility is improved by having a first mode in which the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are controlled based on first data, and a second mode in which the first switch circuit is controlled based on the first data and the second switch circuit is controlled based on second data.

[0106] In one aspect of the liquid ejection device, The third switch circuit may switch between outputting the first data to the second switch circuit and outputting the second data to the second switch circuit, based on a switch control signal input to the integrated circuit.

[0107] According to this liquid ejection device, it is possible to operate a plurality of switches including the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on one piece of data, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data included in the ejection control signal, thereby improving the communication speed of the ejection control signal.

[0108] Furthermore, according to this liquid ejection device, versatility is improved by having a first mode in which the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are controlled based on first data, and a second mode in which the first switch circuit is controlled based on the first data and the second switch circuit is controlled based on second data.

[0109] In one aspect of the liquid ejection device, The liquid ejection head includes: a first pressure chamber in which the pressure changes when the first drive element is driven; a second pressure chamber in which the pressure changes when the second drive element is driven; a nozzle communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber and discharging a liquid; may have the following structure:

[0110] According to this liquid ejection device, it becomes possible to use a liquid with a high viscosity, which further increases the versatility of the liquid ejection device.

[0111] One aspect of the integrated circuit device is An integrated circuit provided in a liquid ejection head having a first driving element and a second driving element, a third driving element that receives a drive signal and switches whether or not the drive signal is to be output to the first driving element; 1 switch circuit; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit that receives an ejection control signal including first data and second data and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; Equipped with The switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data.

[0112] This integrated circuit device enables the operation of multiple switches including the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on one piece of data, and reduces the amount of data included in the discharge control signal, thereby improving the communication speed of the discharge control signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1...liquid ejection device, 2...ink container, 5...storage chamber forming substrate, 10...control unit, 20...head unit, 21...carriage, 22...liquid ejection head, 30...moving unit, 31...carriage motor, 32...endless belt, 40...transport unit, 41...transport motor, 42...transport roller, 50...driving signal output circuit, 60...piezoelectric element, 90...circulation mechanism, 100...control circuit, 190...cable, 200...driving signal selection circuit, 200a...driving signal selection circuit, 201...integrated circuit, 210...selection control circuit, 220...shift register, 221...first shift register, 222...second shift register, 23 0,240...switching circuit, 302...communicating plate, 303...pressure chamber substrate, 304...diaphragm, 305...storage chamber forming substrate, 308...wiring substrate, 350...opening, 351...inlet, 352...outlet, 360...nozzle substrate, 361, 362...compliance sheet, 600...discharge portion, CB1...pressure chamber, CB2...pressure chamber, LT...latch circuit, Ln...nozzle row, N...nozzle, NR...nozzle flow path, P...medium, RA1...supply flow path, RA2...exhaust flow path, RB1...supply flow path, RB2...exhaust flow path, RG...register, RK1...connecting flow path, RK2...connecting flow path, RN...nozzle flow path, RR...communicating flow path, RR1...communicating flow path, RR2...communicating flow path

Claims

1. a drive signal output circuit that outputs a drive signal; an ejection control signal output circuit that outputs an ejection control signal including the first data and the second data; a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid based on the drive signal and the ejection control signal; Equipped with The liquid ejection head includes: a first driving element and a second driving element driven by the driving signal; an integrated circuit that controls supply of the drive signals to the first drive element and the second drive element based on the ejection control signal; having The integrated circuit comprises: a first switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not the drive signal is output to the first drive element; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit which receives the ejection control signal and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; having the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data; The switch control circuit includes: a first register for holding the first data; a second register for holding the second data; a first latch circuit that latches and outputs the first data held in the first register; a second latch circuit that latches and outputs the second data held in the second register; a third switch circuit to which the first data output by the first latch circuit and the second data output by the second latch circuit are input; having the third switch circuit switches between outputting the first data to the second switch circuit and outputting the second data to the second switch circuit; A liquid ejection device comprising:

2. the switch control circuit has a first mode in which the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit are controlled based on the first data, and a second mode in which the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit based on the first data and controls the second switch circuit based on the second data. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. the third switch circuit switches between outputting the first data to the second switch circuit and outputting the second data to the second switch circuit based on a switch control signal input to the integrated circuit; 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

4. The liquid ejection head includes: a first pressure chamber in which the pressure changes when the first drive element is driven; a second pressure chamber in which the pressure changes when the second drive element is driven; a nozzle communicating with the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber and configured to eject a liquid; having 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device.

5. An integrated circuit provided in a liquid ejection head having a first driving element and a second driving element, a first switch circuit which receives a drive signal and switches whether or not the drive signal is output to the first drive element; a second switch circuit which receives the drive signal and switches whether or not to output the drive signal to the second drive element; a switch control circuit that receives an ejection control signal including first data and second data and controls whether or not each of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit outputs the drive signal; Equipped with the switch control circuit controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit based on the first data; The switch control circuit includes: a first register for holding the first data; a second register for holding the second data; a first latch circuit that latches and outputs the first data held in the first register; a second latch circuit that latches and outputs the second data held in the second register; a third switch circuit to which the first data output by the first latch circuit and the second data output by the second latch circuit are input; having the third switch circuit switches between outputting the first data to the second switch circuit and outputting the second data to the second switch circuit; 23. An integrated circuit device comprising:

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