Patent Application
20200198333
The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2018-241702, filed Dec. 25, 2018 and JP Application Serial Number 2019-036741, filed Feb. 28, 2019, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a liquid discharge head control circuit, a liquid discharge head, and a liquid discharge apparatus.
It is known that a piezoelectric element is used for an ink jet printer that prints an image or a document by discharging an ink. The piezoelectric element is provided to correspond to each of a plurality of nozzles in a print head (liquid discharge head). A predetermined amount of an ink (liquid) is discharged from the nozzle at a predetermined timing by driving the piezoelectric element in accordance with a driving signal. Thus, a dot is formed on a medium.
For example, JP-A-2017-114020 discloses a liquid discharge apparatus as follows. The liquid discharge apparatus selects a driving signal to be supplied to each of a plurality of piezoelectric elements based on a print data signal synchronized with a clock signal. The liquid discharge apparatus supplies the selected driving signal to each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements in a period defined by a change signal and a latch signal, and thus a predetermined amount of an ink is discharged from the nozzle corresponding to each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements at a predetermined timing.
However, the number of nozzles in the print head increases with a request for higher speed and higher definition of printing in the recent liquid discharge apparatus. Therefore, it is required to increase the propagation speed of various control signals such as a clock signal, a print data signal, a change signal, and a latch signal supplied to the print head. As a result, it is required to further reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the control signal.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge head control circuit controls an operation of a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle. The liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a first base control signal being a base of the first control signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal. The fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged side by side. In a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the fourth wiring and the second wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth wiring and the third wiring are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are located between the second wiring and the third wiring.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge head control circuit controls an operation of a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle. The liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a first base control signal being a base of the first control signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal. The fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged side by side. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the second wiring is located to overlap the fourth wiring, and the third wiring is located to overlap the fifth wiring.
In the liquid discharge head control circuit, the first base control signal may be a base clock signal being a base of a clock signal.
In the liquid discharge head control circuit, the first base control signal may be a base print data signal being a base of a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal.
In the liquid discharge head control circuit, the liquid discharge head may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit may further include a sixth wiring which is electrically coupled to the sixth terminal and is used for propagating the first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh wiring which is electrically coupled to the seventh terminal and is used for propagating a second control signal for defining a timing of the supply of the driving signal to the driving element. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the seventh wiring may be located to be adjacent to the first wiring and the sixth wiring.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge a liquid from a nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. A first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit is input to the first terminal. A second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the second terminal. The second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the third terminal. One signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fourth terminal. The other signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fifth terminal. The fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged side by side. In a direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the fourth terminal and the second terminal are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth terminal and the third terminal are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are located between the second terminal and the third terminal.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge a liquid from a nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. A first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit is input to the first terminal. A second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the second terminal. The second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the third terminal. One signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fourth terminal. The other signal of the pair of first differential signals to be supplied to the restoration circuit is input to the fifth terminal. The fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged side by side. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the second terminal is located to overlap the fourth terminal, and the third terminal is located to overlap the fifth terminal.
In the liquid discharge head, the first control signal may be a clock signal.
In the liquid discharge head, the first control signal may be a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal.
The liquid discharge head may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit may be input to the sixth terminal. A second control signal for defining a timing of the supply of the driving signal to the driving element may be input to the seventh terminal. In a direction intersecting with the direction in which the fourth terminal and the fifth terminal are arranged, the seventh terminal may be located to be adjacent to the first terminal and the sixth terminal.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid discharge head control circuit that controls an operation of the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a first base control signal being a base of the first control signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal. The first wiring and the first terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a first contact portion. The second wiring and the second terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a second contact portion. The third wiring and the third terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a third contact portion. The fourth wiring and the fourth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fourth contact portion. The fifth wiring and the fifth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fifth contact portion. The fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are located to be arranged. In a direction in which the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are arranged, the fourth contact portion and the second contact portion are located to be adjacent to each other, the fifth contact portion and the third contact portion are located to be adjacent to each other, and the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are located between the second contact portion and the third contact portion.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head that discharges a liquid from a nozzle, and a liquid discharge head control circuit that controls an operation of the liquid discharge head. The liquid discharge head includes a driving element that drives based on a driving signal to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, a driving signal selection circuit that controls a supply of the driving signal to the driving element based on a first control signal, a restoration circuit that restores a pair of first differential signals to the first control signal, a first terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal which are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit includes a conversion circuit that converts a first base control signal being a base of the first control signal into the pair of first differential signals, a first wiring which is electrically coupled to the first terminal and is used for propagating a first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, a second wiring which is electrically coupled to the second terminal and is used for propagating a second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a third wiring which is electrically coupled to the third terminal and is used for propagating the second reference voltage signal to be supplied to the restoration circuit, a fourth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fourth terminal and is used for propagating one signal of the pair of first differential signals, a fifth wiring which is electrically coupled to the fifth terminal and is used for propagating the other signal of the pair of first differential signals, and a driving signal output circuit that outputs the driving signal. The first wiring and the first terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a first contact portion. The second wiring and the second terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a second contact portion. The third wiring and the third terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a third contact portion. The fourth wiring and the fourth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fourth contact portion. The fifth wiring and the fifth terminal are electrically in contact with each other at a fifth contact portion. The fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are located to be arranged. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth contact portion and the fifth contact portion are arranged, the second contact portion is located to overlap the fourth contact portion, and the third contact portion is located to overlap the fifth contact portion.
In the liquid discharge apparatus, the first base control signal may be a base clock signal being a base of a clock signal.
In the liquid discharge apparatus, the first base control signal may be a base print data signal being a base of a print data signal for defining a waveform selection of the driving signal.
In the liquid discharge apparatus, the liquid discharge head may further include a sixth terminal electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh terminal electrically coupled to the restoration circuit. The liquid discharge head control circuit may further include a sixth wiring which is electrically coupled to the sixth terminal and is used for propagating the first reference voltage signal to be supplied to the driving signal selection circuit, and a seventh wiring which is electrically coupled to the seventh terminal and is used for propagating a second control signal for defining a timing of the supply of the driving signal to the driving element. The sixth wiring and the sixth terminal may be electrically in contact with each other at a sixth contact portion. The seventh wiring and the seventh terminal may be electrically in contact with each other at a seventh contact portion. In a direction intersecting with a direction in which the fourth wiring and the fifth wiring are arranged, the seventh wiring may be located to be adjacent to the first wiring and the sixth wiring.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used for easy descriptions. The embodiments described below do not limit the scope of the present disclosure described in the claims. All components described later are not necessarily essential constituent elements of the present disclosure.
The liquid discharge apparatus 1 includes a liquid container 2, a control mechanism 10, the carriage 20, a movement mechanism 30, and a transport mechanism 40.
Plural kinds of inks to be discharged onto a medium P are stored in the liquid container 2. As the color of the ink stored in the liquid container 2, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, and gray, and the like are exemplified. As the liquid container 2 in which such an ink is stored, an ink cartridge, a bag-like ink pack formed of a flexible film, an ink tank capable of replenishing an ink, or the like is used.
The control mechanism 10 includes, for example, 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. The control mechanism 10 controls elements of the liquid discharge apparatus 1. Specifically, the control mechanism 10 generates control signals Ctrl-H, Ctrl-C, and Ctrl-T for controlling operations of various components of the liquid discharge apparatus 1, and outputs the control signals to the corresponding components.
The liquid discharge head 21 is mounted in the carriage 20. The control signal Ctrl-H including a plurality of signals is input to the liquid discharge head 21. The liquid discharge head 21 discharges an ink supplied from the liquid container 2, based on the control signal Ctrl-H. The liquid container 2 may be mounted in the carriage 20.
The movement mechanism 30 includes a carriage motor 31 and an endless belt 32. The control signal Ctrl-C is input to the movement mechanism 30. The carriage motor 31 operates based on the control signal Ctrl-C. The carriage 20 is fixed to the endless belt 32. The endless belt 32 rotates by an operation of the carriage motor 31. Thus, the carriage 20 fixed to the endless belt 32 reciprocates in the X-direction. The control signal Ctrl-C may be converted into a signal having a more suitable format for operating the carriage motor 31 in a carriage motor driver (not illustrated).
The transport mechanism 40 includes a transport motor 41 and a transport roller 42. The control signal Ctrl-T is input to the transport mechanism 40. The transport motor 41 operates based on the control signal Ctrl-T. The transport roller 42 rotates by an operation of the transport motor 41. A medium P is transported in the Y-direction with the rotation of the transport roller 42. The control signal Ctrl-T may be converted into a signal having a more suitable format for operating the transport motor 41 in a transport motor driver (not illustrated).
As described above, the liquid discharge apparatus 1 discharges an ink from the liquid discharge head 21 mounted in the carriage 20 in the Z-direction with transport of the medium P in the Y-direction by the transport mechanism 40 and reciprocation of the carriage 20 in the X-direction by the movement mechanism 30. Thus, the liquid discharge apparatus 1 forms a desired image on the medium P.
The control mechanism 10 includes a conversion circuit 70, driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-n, a first power source voltage output circuit 51, a second power source voltage output circuit 52, and a control circuit 100. The control circuit 100 includes a processor such as a microcontroller, for example. The control circuit 100 generates and outputs data or various signals for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1, based on various signals such as image data, which are input from a host computer.
Specifically, the control circuit 100 outputs a base clock signal oSCK, base print data signals oSI1 to oSIn, a base latch signal oLAT, base change signals oCHa and oCHb, and base driving signals dA1 to dAn and dB1 to dBn, which are used for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1.
The base clock signal oSCK, the base print data signals oSI1 to oSIn, the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb are signals being bases of a clock signal SCK, print data signals SI1 to SIn, a latch signal LAT, and change signals CHa and CHb which are for controlling an operation of the liquid discharge head 21. The control circuit 100 outputs the base clock signal oSCK and each of the base print data signals oSI1 to oSIn to the conversion circuit 70. The control circuit 100 outputs the base latch signal oLAT and each of the base change signals oCHa and oCHb to the liquid discharge head 21.
The conversion circuit 70 converts a base control signal being a base of a certain signal in the control signal Ctrl-H into a pair of differential signals. Specifically, the conversion circuit 70 converts the base clock signal oSCK being the base of the clock signal SCK in the control signal Ctrl-H into a pair of differential clock signals dSCK. The conversion circuit 70 converts each of the base print data signals oSI1 to oSIn being each of the print data signals SI1 to SIn in the control signal Ctrl-H into a pair of differential print data signals dSI1 to dSIn. The conversion circuit 70 outputs the differential clock signal dSCK and each of the differential print data signals dSI1 to dSIn to the liquid discharge head 21.
Here, the conversion circuit 70 performs conversion into a differential signal of a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) transfer method, for example. A differential signal of the LVDS transfer method has an amplitude of substantially 350 mV, and thus can realize high-speed data transfer. The conversion circuit 70 may perform conversion into a differential signal of various high-speed transfer method such as a low voltage positive emitter coupled logic (LVPECL) transfer method or a current mode logic (CML) transfer method in addition to the LVDS transfer method.
The base driving signals dA1 to dAn and dB1 to dBn are digital signals and signals being bases of driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn for driving a piezoelectric element 60 as a driving element provided in the liquid discharge head 21. The base driving signals dA1 to dAn and dB1 to dBn are input to the corresponding driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-n. The following descriptions will be made on the assumption that the base driving signals dAi and dBi (i is any of 1 to n) are input to the corresponding driving signal output circuit 50-i.
The driving signal output circuit 50-i generates the driving signal COMAi by performing D-class amplification on an analog signal obtained by performing digital-to-analog signal conversion on the input base driving signal dAi. The driving signal output circuit 50-i generates the driving signal COMBi by performing D-class amplification on an analog signal obtained by performing digital-to-analog signal conversion on the input base driving signal dBi. That is, the driving signal output circuit 50-i includes two D-class amplifier circuits which are a D-class amplifier circuit that generates the driving signal COMAi based on the base driving signal dAi and a D-class amplifier circuit that generates the driving signal COMBi based on the base driving signal dBi. The base driving signals dAi and dBi may be signals capable of defining waveforms of the driving signals COMAi and COMBi and may be analog signals. The two D-class amplifier circuit in the driving signal output circuit 50-i may be capable of amplifying the waveform defined by the base driving signals dAi and dBi, and may be configured with various amplifier circuits such as an A-class amplifier circuit, a B-class amplifier circuit, or an AB-class amplifier circuit.
The driving signal output circuit 50i generates and outputs a voltage VBSi indicating a reference potential of the driving signals COMAi and COMBi. For example, the voltage VBSi may be a signal having a ground potential in which a voltage value is 0 V, or may be a signal having a DC voltage in which a voltage value is 5 V, 6 V, or the like.
The driving signal output circuit 50-i outputs the driving signals COMAi and COMBi and the voltage VBSi which are generated, to the liquid discharge head 21. Here, all of the driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-n have the similar configuration, and thus may be referred to as a driving signal output circuit 50 in the following descriptions. Descriptions may be made on the assumption that the base driving signals dA and dB are input to the driving signal output circuit 50, and the driving signal output circuit 50 generates the driving signals COMA and COMB and the voltage VBS. Here, at least one of the driving signals COMA and COMB is an example of the driving signal.
Here, although not illustrated in
The first power source voltage output circuit 51 generates a voltage VDD being a DC voltage having a voltage value of 3.3 V. The voltage VDD is a power source voltage of various components of the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21. The first power source voltage output circuit 51 may generate voltage VDD having a plurality of voltage values suitable for the various components of the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21. The first power source voltage output circuit 51 outputs the generated voltages VDD to the various components including the liquid discharge head 21.
The second power source voltage output circuit 52 generates a voltage VHV which is a DC voltage having a voltage value which is larger than the voltage VDD and is, for example, 42 V. The voltage VHV is supplied to the driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-n. The driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-n generate the driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn subjected to D-class amplification, based on the voltage VHV. The second power source voltage output circuit 52 also outputs voltage VHV to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n in the liquid discharge head 21.
As described above, the control mechanism 10 outputs the above-described various signals and voltages to the liquid discharge head 21 as the control signal Ctrl-H for controlling the operation of the liquid discharge head 21. The control mechanism 10 outputs ground signals GND1 and GND2 for defining a ground potential of the liquid discharge head 21 to the liquid discharge head 21.
The liquid discharge head 21 includes a restoration circuit 130, the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n, and a plurality of discharge sections 600.
The differential clock signal dSCK, the differential print data signals dSI1 to dSIn, the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb are input to the restoration circuit 130. The restoration circuit 130 restores the differential signal to a single-ended signal based on the input various signals. Specifically, the restoration circuit 130 restores the differential clock signal dSCK and the differential print data signals dSI1 to dSIn to single-ended signals based on the input base latch signal oLAT and a timing defined by the base change signals oCHa and oCHb. In other words, the restoration circuit 130 restores a pair of differential clock signals dSCK to the clock signal SCK. The restoration circuit 130 restores the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 to dSIn to the print data signals SI1 to SIn, respectively. The restoration circuit 130 outputs the clock signal SCK and the print data signals SI1 to SIn being the restored single-ended signals.
Here, the clock signal SCK is an example of a first control signal. The base clock signal oSCK being the base of the clock signal SCK is an example of a first base control signal. The pair of differential clock signal dSCKs obtained by converting the base clock signal oSCK into a pair of differential signals are an example of a pair of first differential signals.
The base latch signal oLAT and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb input to the restoration circuit 130 are used for defining a timing for restoring the pair of differential signals to a single-ended signal, and then are output from the restoration circuit 130 as the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb. Here, in a case where delay occurring in the restoration circuit 130 is not added, the base latch signal oLAT and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb input to the restoration circuit 130 may have the same waveforms as the waveforms of the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb output from the restoration circuit 130.
As described above, if the single-ended signal for controlling the liquid discharge apparatus 1 is input to the restoration circuit 130 in addition to the differential signal being a signal as a restoration target, it is possible to reduce a concern that a signal delay occurs between a single-ended signal restored by the restoration circuit 130 and a single-ended signal which is not restored by the restoration circuit 130.
The voltages VHV and VDD, the clock signal SCK, the latch signal LAT, the change signals CHa and CHb, and the ground signal GND1 are commonly input to each of the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n. The driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn and the print data signals SI1 to SIn are input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n, respectively. The driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n select or do not select the corresponding driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn so as to generate driving signals VOUT1 to VOUTn and supply the driving signals VOUT1 to VOUTn to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 in the plurality of corresponding discharge sections 600. In other words, the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n control a supply of the driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn to the piezoelectric element 60 based on the clock signal SCK, the print data signals SI1 to SIn, the latch signal LAT, and the change signals CHa and CHb, respectively. In this case, voltages VBS1 to VBSn are supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60. The piezoelectric element 60 performs displacement based on the driving signals VOUT1 to VOUTn and the voltages VBS1 to VBSn, and thus an ink having an amount depending on the displacement is discharged from the discharge section 600. That is, the piezoelectric element 60 drives based on the driving signals COMA and COMB to discharge a liquid from the nozzle.
Here, all of the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n have the similar configuration, and thus may be referred to as a driving signal selection circuit 200 in the following descriptions. Descriptions may be made on the assumption that the driving signal selection circuit 200 selects or does not select the driving signals COMA and COMB to generate the driving signal VOUT.
Each of the restoration circuit 130 and the driving signal selection circuit 200 in the liquid discharge head 21 may be configured by one or a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs). The restoration circuit 130 and the driving signal selection circuit 200 may be configured in one integrated circuit.
Here, an example of the waveforms of the driving signals COMA and COMB generated by the driving signal output circuit 50 and an example of the waveform of the driving signal VOUT supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 will be described with reference to
The driving signal COMB has a waveform in which a trapezoid waveform Bdp1 and a trapezoid waveform Bdp2 are made continuous. The trapezoid waveform Bdp1 is disposed in a period T3 from when the latch signal LAT rises until the change signal CHb rises. The trapezoid waveform Bdp2 is disposed in a period T4 from when the change signal CHb rises until the latch signal LAT rises the next time. In the embodiment, the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 are different from each other.
Among the waveforms, the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 is a waveform for finely vibrating the ink in the vicinity of a nozzle opening portion of the discharge section 600 to prevent an increase of ink viscosity. When the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 is supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60, the ink is not discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60. The trapezoid waveform Bdp2 is different from the trapezoid waveforms Adp1 and Adp2 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp1. When the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 is supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60, an ink having an amount which is smaller than the medium amount is discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60.
As described above, the periods T1 to T4 and a period Ta which are timings for supplying the driving signals COMA and COMB to the piezoelectric element 60 are defined based on the latch signal LAT and the change signals CHa and CHb. Here, all voltages at a start timing and an end timing of each of the trapezoid waveforms Adp1, Adp2, Bdp1, and Bdp2 are common and a voltage Vc. That is, each of the trapezoid waveforms Adp1, Adp2, Bdp1, and Bdp2 is a waveform which starts at the voltage Vc and ends at the voltage Vc. Each of the driving signals COMA and COMB is described to be a signal having a waveform in which two trapezoid waveforms are continuous in the period Ta, but may be a signal having a waveform in which three trapezoid waveforms or more are continuous in the period Ta.
The driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the medium dot” has a waveform in which the trapezoid waveform Adp1 and the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 are continuous in the period Ta. When the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60, the medium amount of the ink and the small amount of the ink are discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60, in the period Ta. Thus, the inks are landed on the medium P and are coalesced, and thereby a medium dot is formed on the medium P.
The driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the small dot” has the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 in the period Ta. When the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60, the small amount of the ink is discharged from the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60, in the period Ta.
Thus, the inks are landed on the medium P, and thereby a small dot is formed on the medium P.
The driving signal VOUT corresponding to “non-recording” has the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 in the period Ta. When the driving signal VOUT is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60, in the period Ta, only the ink in the vicinity of the nozzle opening portion of the discharge section 600 corresponding to this piezoelectric element 60 finely vibrates, and the ink is not discharged. Therefore, the ink is not landed on the medium P, and a dot is not formed on the medium P.
Here, when any of the driving signals COMA and COMB is not selected as the driving signal VOUT, the voltage Vc just before is held at the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 by a capacitive component of the piezoelectric element 60. That is, when neither driving signals COMA nor COMB is selected, the voltage Vc is supplied to the piezoelectric element 60 as the driving signal VOUT.
The driving signals COMA and COMB and the driving signal VOUT illustrated in
Next, a configuration and an operation of the driving signal selection circuit 200 will be described with reference to
The print data signal SI, the latch signal LAT, the change signals CHa and CHb, and the clock signal SCK are input to the selection control circuit 220. A set of a shift register (S/R) 222, a latch circuit 224, and a decoder 226 is provided in the selection control circuit 220 to correspond to each of the plurality of discharge sections 600. That is, the driving signal selection circuit 200 includes sets of shift registers 222, latch circuits 224, and decoders 226. The number of sets is equal to the total number m of the corresponding discharge sections 600.
The print data signal SI is a signal for defining a waveform selection between the driving signal COMA and the driving signal COMB. Specifically, the print data signal SI is a signal synchronized with the clock signal SCK. The print data signal SI is a signal which has 2m bits in total and includes 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] for selecting any of “the large dot”, “the medium dot”, “the small dot”, and “non-recording” for each of m pieces of discharge sections 600. Regarding the print data signal SI, each 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL]which corresponds to the discharge section 600 and is included in the print data signal SI is held in the shift register 222. In detail, the shift registers 222 from the first stage to the m-th stage, which correspond to the discharge sections 600 are cascade-coupled to each other, and the print data signal SI supplied in a serial manner is sequentially transferred to the subsequent stages in accordance with the clock signal SCK. In
Each of the m pieces of latch circuits 224 latches the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] held in each of the m pieces of shift registers 222, at a rising edge of the latch signal LAT.
Each of the m pieces of decoders 226 decodes the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] latched by each of the m pieces of latch circuits 224. The decoder 226 outputs a selection signal S1 for each of the periods T1 and T2 defined by the latch signal LAT and the change signal CHa, and outputs a selection signal S2 for each of the periods T3 and T4 defined by the latch signal LAT and the change signal CHb.
The selection circuits 230 are provided to correspond to the discharge sections 600, respectively. That is, the number of selection circuits 230 of the driving signal selection circuit 200 is equal to the total number m of the corresponding discharge sections 600.
The selection signal S1 is supplied to a positive control end of the transfer gate 234a, which is not marked with a circle, but is logically inverted by the inverter 232a and is supplied to a negative control end of the transfer gate 234a, which is marked with a circle. The selection signal S2 is supplied to a positive control end of the transfer gate 234b, but is logically inverted by the inverter 232b and is supplied to a negative control end of the transfer gate 234b.
The driving signal COMA is supplied to an input end of the transfer gate 234a. The driving signal COMB is supplied to an input end of the transfer gate 234b. Output ends of the transfer gates 234a and 234b are commonly coupled to each other, and the driving signal VOUT is output to the discharge section 600 through the commonly-coupled terminals.
The transfer gate 234a electrically connects the input end and an output end when the selection signal S1 has an H level, and does not electrically connect the input end and the output end when the selection signal S1 has an L level. The transfer gate 234b electrically connects the input end and an output end when the selection signal S2 has an H level, and does not electrically connect the input end and the output end when the selection signal S2 has an L level.
Next, an operation of the driving signal selection circuit 200 will be described with reference to
If the latch signal LAT rises, the latch circuits 224 simultaneously latch the 2-bit print data [SIH, SIL] held by the shift registers 222. In
The decoder 226 outputs the logical levels of the selection signals S1 and S2 in each of the periods T1, T2, T3, and T4 with the contents as illustrated in
Specifically, when the print data [SIH, SIL] is [1, 1], the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S1 to have an H level and an H level in the periods T1 and T2, and sets the selection signal S2 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T3 and T4. In this case, the selection circuit 230 selects the trapezoid waveform Adp1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T1, selects the trapezoid waveform Adp2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T2, does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T3, and does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T4. As a result, the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the large dot” illustrated in
When the print data [SIH, SIL] is [1, 0], the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S1 to have an H level and an L level in the periods T1 and T2, and sets the selection signal S2 to have an L level and an H level in the periods T3 and T4. In this case, the selection circuit 230 selects the trapezoid waveform Adp1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T1, does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T2, does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T3, and selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T4. As a result, the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the medium dot” illustrated in
When the print data [SIH, SIL] is [0, 1], the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S1 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T1 and T2, and sets the selection signal S2 to have an L level and an H level in the periods T3 and T4. In this case, the selection circuit 230 does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T1, does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T2, does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T3, and selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T4. As a result, the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “the small dot” illustrated in
When the print data [SIH, SIL] is [0, 0], the decoder 226 sets the selection signal S1 to have an L level and an L level in the periods T1 and T2, and sets the selection signal S2 to have an H level and an L level in the periods T3 and T4. In this case, the selection circuit 230 does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp1 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T1, does not select the trapezoid waveform Adp2 included in the driving signal COMA in the period T2, selects the trapezoid waveform Bdp1 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T3, and does not select the trapezoid waveform Bdp2 included in the driving signal COMB in the period T4. As a result, the driving signal VOUT corresponding to “non-recording” illustrated in
As described above, the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-n control supplies of the corresponding driving signals COMA1 to COMAn and COMB1 to COMBn to the piezoelectric element based on the corresponding print data signals SI1 to SIn, the latch signal LAT, and the change signals CHa and CHb, respectively.
Next, details of an electrical coupling between the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21 will be described. The following descriptions will be made on the assumption that the liquid discharge head 21 includes twelve driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12. That is, twelve print data signals SI1 to S112, twelve driving signals COMA1 to COMA12 and COMB1 to COMB12, and twelve voltages VBS1 to VBS12, which respectively correspond to the twelve driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12, are input to the liquid discharge head 21. The control mechanism 10 includes twelve driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-12 which respectively correspond to the twelve driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12.
Various circuits including the conversion circuit 70, the driving signal output circuits 50-1 to 50-12, the first power source voltage output circuit 51, the second power source voltage output circuit 52, and the control circuit 100 provided in the control mechanism 10 illustrated in
The liquid discharge head 21 includes a head 310, a head substrate 320, and a plurality of connectors 350. The other ends of the plurality of cables 19 are attached to the plurality of connectors 350, respectively. Thus, various signals generated by the control mechanism 10 provided on the main substrate 11 are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the plurality of cables 19. Details of the configuration of the liquid discharge head 21 and details of signals propagated in the plurality of cables 19 will be described later.
The liquid discharge apparatus 1 configured in a manner as described above controls the operation of the liquid discharge head 21 based on various signals including the driving signals COMA1 to COMA12 and COMB1 to COMB12, the voltages VBS1 to VBS12, the differential clock signal dSCK, the differential print data signals dSI1 to dSI12, the base latch signal oLAT, and the base change signals oCHa and oCHb, which are output from the control mechanism 10 mounted on the main substrate 11. That is, in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 illustrated in
Specifically, p pieces of terminals 195 are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194, on the short side 191 side of the cable 19 in order of the terminals 195-1 to 195-p. p pieces of terminals 196 are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194, on the short side 192 side of the cable 19 in order of the terminals 196-1 to 196-p. In the cable 19, p pieces of wirings 197 that electrically and respectively couple the terminals 195 and the terminals 196 to each other are arranged in parallel from the long side 193 toward the long side 194 in order of the wirings 197-1 to 197-p. The wiring 197-1 electrically couples the terminal 195-1 and the terminal 196-1 to each other. Similarly, the wiring 197-j (j is any of 1 to p) electrically couples the terminal 195-j and the terminal 196-j to each other. The cable 19 configured as described above is used for propagating a signal input from the terminal 195-j in the wiring 197-j and outputting the signal from the terminal 196-j. Here, the plurality of wirings 197 in the cable 19 are coated with an insulator 198. Thus, the plurality of wirings 197 are insulated from each other. The configuration of the cable 19 illustrated in
Next, a configuration of the liquid discharge head 21 to which a signal propagated in each of the plurality of cables 19 is input will be described.
The head substrate 320 has a surface 321 and a surface 322 different from the surface 321. The plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the surface 322 of the head substrate 320. The head 310 is provided on the surface 321 side of the head substrate 320. An ink discharge surface 311 on which the plurality of discharge sections 600 are formed is located on a lower surface of the head 310 in the Z-direction.
The nozzle lines L1a to L1f are provided to be arranged from the right to the left in
The nozzle lines L1a to L1f and L2a to L2f correspond to the driving signal selection circuits 200, respectively. Specifically, the driving signal selection circuit 200-1 corresponds to the nozzle line L1a. The driving signal VOUT1 output by the driving signal selection circuit 200-1 is supplied to the one end of the piezoelectric element 60 in a plurality of discharge sections 600 provided in the nozzle line L1a. The voltage VBS1 is supplied to the other end of this piezoelectric element 60. Similarly, nozzle lines L1b to L1f correspond to the driving signal selection circuit 200-2 to 200-6, respectively. The driving signals VOUT2 to VOUT6 and the voltages VBS2 to VBS6 are supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200-2 to 200-6, respectively. The nozzle lines L2a to L2f correspond to the driving signal selection circuit 200-7 to 200-12, respectively. The driving signals VOUT7 to VOUT12 and the voltages VBS7 to VBS12 are supplied to the driving signal selection circuit 200-7 to 200-12, respectively.
Next, the configuration of the discharge section 600 in the head 310 will be described with reference to
The reservoir 641 is provided to correspond to each of the nozzle lines L1a to L1f and L2a to L2f. The ink is supplied from an ink supply port 661 into the reservoir 641.
The discharge section 600 includes the piezoelectric element 60, a vibration plate 621, a cavity 631, and the nozzle 651. The vibration plate 621 deforms by driving of the piezoelectric element 60 provided on an upper surface in
The piezoelectric element 60 has a structure in which a piezoelectric substance 601 is interposed between a pair of electrodes 611 and 612. In the piezoelectric element 60 having such a structure, the central portions of the electrodes 611 and 612 and the vibration plate 621 bend with respect to both end portions thereof in an up-and-down direction in
Next, a configuration of the head substrate 320 will be described with reference to
FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f, electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f, and the plurality of connectors 350 are provided in the head substrate 320.
Each of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f includes a plurality of electrodes arranged in parallel in the Y-direction. The electrode groups 332a to 332f are provided to be arranged from the side 324 toward the side 323 along the side 326 in order of the electrode groups 332a, 332b, 332c, 332d, 332e, and 332f. The electrode groups 342a to 342f are provided to be arranged from the side 323 toward the side 324 along the side 325 in order of the electrode groups 342a, 342b, 342c, 342d, 342e, and 342f. A flexible printed circuit (FPC) (not illustrated) is electrically coupled to each of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f provided in a manner as described above.
The FPC coupled to the electrode group 332a propagates various signals supplied to the electrode group 332a to the driving signal selection circuit 200-1. That is, various control signals for controlling an operation of the nozzle line L1a are supplied to the electrode group 332a. Similarly, the FPC coupled to the electrode groups 332b to 332f propagates various signals supplied to the electrode groups 332b to 332f to the driving signal selection circuits 200-2 to 200-6, respectively. That is, various control signals for controlling operations of the nozzle lines L1b to L1f are supplied to the electrode groups 332b to 332f, respectively. Similarly, the FPC coupled to the electrode groups 342a to 342f propagates various signals supplied to the electrode groups 342a to 342f to the driving signal selection circuits 200-7 to 200-12, respectively. That is, various control signals for controlling operations of the nozzle lines L2a to L2f are supplied to the electrode groups 342a to 342f, respectively.
The FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f are through-holes penetrating the surface 321 and the surface 322 of the head substrate 320. FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f is inserted into the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f, respectively.
Specifically, the FPC insertion hole 331a is provided between the electrode group 332a and the electrode group 332b. The FPC insertion hole 331b is provided between the electrode group 332b and the electrode group 332c. The FPC insertion hole 331c is provided between the electrode group 332c and the electrode group 332d. The FPC insertion hole 331d is provided between the electrode group 332d and the electrode group 332e. The FPC insertion hole 331e is provided between the electrode group 332e and the electrode group 332f. The FPC insertion hole 331f is provided on the side 323 side of the electrode group 332f. The FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 332a to 332f are inserted into the FPC insertion holes 331a to 33 if, respectively.
The FPC insertion hole 341a is provided between the electrode group 342a and the electrode group 342b. The FPC insertion hole 341b is provided between the electrode group 342b and the electrode group 342c. The FPC insertion hole 341c is provided between the electrode group 342c and the electrode group 342d. The FPC insertion hole 341d is provided between the electrode group 342d and the electrode group 342e. The FPC insertion hole 341e is provided between the electrode group 342e and the electrode group 342f. The FPC insertion hole 341f is provided on the side 324 side of the electrode group 342f. The FPCs which are electrically coupled to the electrode groups 342a to 342f are inserted into the FPC insertion holes 341a to 341f, respectively.
The connectors 350a to 350d among the plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f, respectively. The connectors 350e to 350h among the plurality of connectors 350 are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f.
A configuration of the connector 350 will be described with reference to
The cable 19 is attached to the plurality of connectors 350 configured in a manner as described above. Specifically, the cable 19 is attached to the cable attachment portion 352 of the connector 350. In this case, the terminals 196-1 to 196-p of the cable 19 illustrated in
Here, a specific example of electrical coupling between the cable 19 and the connector 350 will be described with reference to
As described above, the cable 19 and the connector 350 are electrically coupled to each other by the terminal 196 and the terminal 353 coming into contact with each other through the contact portion 180.
Returning to
In the connector 350a, the p pieces of terminals 353a are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f, so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353a-1, 353a-2, . . . , and 353a-p.
In the connector 350b, the p pieces of terminals 353b are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 323 side of the connector 350a, so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353b-1, 353b-2, . . . , and 353b-p.
In the connector 350c, the p pieces of terminals 353c are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 325 side of the connector 350a, so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353c-1, 353c-2, . . . , and 353c-p.
In the connector 350d, the p pieces of terminals 353d are provided on the side 324 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 323 side of the connector 350c, so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 324 in order of the terminals 353d-1, 353d-2, . . . , and 353d-p.
In the connector 350e, the p pieces of terminals 353e are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f, so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353e-1, 353e-2, . . . , and 353e-p.
In the connector 350f, the p pieces of terminals 353f are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 324 side of the connector 350e, so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353f-1, 353f-2, . . . , and 353f-p.
In the connector 350g, the p pieces of terminals 353g are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 325 side of the connector 350a, so as to be arranged from the side 326 toward the side 325 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353g-1, 353g-2, . . . , and 353g-p.
In the connector 350h, the p pieces of terminals 353h are provided on the side 323 side of the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f and the FPC insertion holes 331a to 331f and 341a to 341f and on the side 324 side of the connector 350g, so as to be arranged from the side 325 toward the side 326 along the side 323 in order of the terminals 353h-1, 353h-2, . . . , and 353h-p.
Various signals for controlling the liquid discharge head 21 are supplied to the head substrate 320 configured in a manner as described above, through the plurality of cables 19 which are electrically and respectively coupled to the connectors 350a to 350h. The various signals supplied to the liquid discharge head 21 are propagated in a wiring pattern (not illustrated) provided in the head substrate 320, and then are input to the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f. The various signals are supplied to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the FPCs coupled to the electrode groups 332a to 332f and 342a to 342f, respectively. Thus, the piezoelectric element 60 in each of the nozzle lines L1a to L1f and L2a to L2f drives at a desired timing, and thus an ink having an amount depending on the driving of the piezoelectric element 60 is discharged from the nozzle 651.
Here, the integrated circuit constituting the restoration circuit 130 in the liquid discharge head 21 illustrated in
Here, details of a signal propagated between the control mechanism 10 and the liquid discharge head 21 will be described. In the following descriptions, the cable 19 coupled to the connector 350a is referred to as a cable 19a. A terminal 196a-j (j is any of 1 to p) of the cable 19a is electrically coupled to the terminal 353a-j of the connector 350a through a contact portion 180a-j. Similarly, the cable 19 coupled to the connectors 350b to 350h is referred to as cables 19b to 19h. A terminal 196b-j of the cable 19b is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-j of the connector 350b through a contact portion 180b-j. A terminal 196c-j of the cable 19c is electrically coupled to the terminal 353c-j of the connector 350c through a contact portion 180c-j. A terminal 196d-j of the cable 19d is electrically coupled to the terminal 353d-j of the connector 350d through a contact portion 180d-j. A terminal 196e-j of the cable 19e is electrically coupled to the terminal 353e-j of the connector 350e through a contact portion 180e-j. A terminal 196f-j of the cable 19f is electrically coupled to the terminal 353f-j of the connector 350f through a contact portion 180f-j. A terminal 196g-j of the cable 19g is electrically coupled to the terminal 353g-j of the connector 350g through a contact portion 180g-j. A terminal 196h-j of the cable 19h is electrically coupled to the terminal 353h-j of the connector 350h through a contact portion 180h-j.
Specifically, the ground signal GND1 is propagated in each of wirings 197a-2 and 197a-4 to 197a-19. The ground signal GND1 is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portions 180a-3 and 180a-4 to 180a-19 and the terminals 353a-3 and 353a-4 to 353a-19 in the liquid discharge head 21, respectively. The voltage VHV is propagated in a wiring 197a-1. The voltage VHV is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portion 180a-1 and the terminal 353a-1 in the liquid discharge head 21. The voltage VDD is propagated in each of wirings 197a-20 to 197a-23. The voltage VDD is input to the restoration circuit 130 and the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portions 180a-20 to 180a-23 and the terminals 353a-20 to 353a-23 in the liquid discharge head 21, respectively. Here, the ground signal GND1 is an example of a first reference voltage signal.
The cable 19a is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal XHOT and a signal TH. The signal XHOT indicates temperature abnormality of the liquid discharge head 21. The signal TH indicates temperature information of the liquid discharge head 21. The plurality of control signals such as the signals XHOT and TH are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350a.
The pair of differential clock signals dSCK are propagated in wirings 197b-4 and 197b-5. Specifically, one signal dSCK+ in the pair of differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197b-4. The signal dSCK+ is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-4 and the terminal 353b-4 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-4 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-4 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-4 through the contact portion 180b-4, and is used for propagating the one signal dSCK+ in the pair of differential clock signal dSCK. Thus, the one signal dSCK+ in the pair of differential clock signal dSCK is input to the terminal 353b-4.
The other signal dSCK− in the pair of differential clock signal dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197b-5. The signal dSCK− is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-5 and the terminal 353b-5 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-5 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-5 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-5 through the contact portion 180b-5, and is used for propagating the other signal dSCK− in the pair of differential clock signals dSCK. Thus, the other signal dSCK− in the pair of differential clock signal dSCK is input to the terminal 353b-5. Here, the terminal 353b-4 is an example of a fourth terminal. The wiring 197b-4 is an example of a fourth wiring. The terminal 353b-5 is an example of a fifth terminal. The wiring 197b-5 is an example of a fifth wiring. The contact portion 180b-4 at which the wiring 197b-4 and the terminal 353b-4 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a fourth contact portion. The contact portion 180b-5 at which the wiring 197b-5 and the terminal 353b-5 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a fifth contact portion.
A pair of differential print data signals dSI1 are propagated in wirings 197b-7 and 197b-8. Specifically, one signal dSI1+ in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is propagated in the wiring 197b-7. The signal dSI1+ is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-7 and the terminal 353b-7 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-7 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-7 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-7 through the contact portion 180b-7, and is used for propagating the one signal dSI1+ in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1. Thus, the one signal dSI1+ in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the terminal 353b-7.
The other signal dSI1− in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is propagated in the wiring 197b-8. The signal dSI1− is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-8 and the terminal 353b-8 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-8 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-8 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-8 through the contact portion 180b-8, and is used for propagating the other signal dSI1− in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1. Thus, the other signal dSI1− in the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the terminal 353b-8.
The pair of differential print data signals dSI2 to dSI6 are propagated in wirings 197b-9 to 197b-18, respectively. Specifically, one signals dSI2+, dSI3+, dSI4+, dSI5+, and dSI6+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI2 to dSI6 are propagated in the wirings 197b-9, 197b-11, 197b-13, 197b-15, and 197b-17, respectively. The signals dSI2+, dSI3+, dSI4+, dSI5+, and dSI6+ are input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180b-9, 180b-11, 180b-13, 180b-15, and 180b-17 and the terminals 353b-9, 353b-11, 353b-13, 353b-15, and 353b-17 in the liquid discharge head 21, respectively. The other signals signal dSI2−, dSI3, dSI4−, dSI5−, and dSI6− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI2 to dSI6 are propagated in the wirings 197b-10, 197b-12, 197b-14, 197b-16, and 197b-18, respectively. The signal dSI2−, dSI3, dSI4−, dSI5−, and dSI6− are input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180b-10, 180b-12, 180b-14, 180b-16, and 180b-18 and the terminals 353b-10, 353b-12, 353b-14, 353b-16, and 353b-18 in the liquid discharge head 21.
The base latch signal oLAT is propagated in a wiring 197b-20. The base latch signal oLAT is input to the restoration circuit 130 through the terminal 353b-20 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-20 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-20 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-20 through a contact portion 180b-20 and is used for propagating the base latch signal oLAT. Thus, the base latch signal oLAT is input to the terminal 353b-20. Here, the base latch signal oLAT is an example of a second control signal. The terminal 353b-20 is an example of a seventh terminal. The wiring 197b-20 is an example of a seventh wiring. The contact portion 180b-20 at which the wiring 197b-20 and the terminal 353b-20 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a seventh contact portion.
The base change signal oCHa is propagated in a wiring 197b-22. The base change signal oCHa is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-22 and the terminal 353b-22 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-22 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-22 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-22 through a contact portion 180b-22 and is used for propagating the base change signal oCHa. Thus, the base change signal oCHa is input to the terminal 353b-22.
The base change signal oCHb is propagated in a wiring 197b-23. The base change signal oCHb is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180b-23 and the terminal 353b-23 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-23 is electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-23 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-23 through a contact portion 180b-23 and is used for propagating the base change signal oCHb. Thus, the base change signal oCHb is input to the terminal 353b-23.
The ground signal GND1 is propagated in wirings 197b-19 and 197b-21. The ground signal GND1 is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through contact portions 180b-19 and 180b-21 and the terminals 353b-19 and 353b-21 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminal 353b-19 is electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12. The wiring 197b-19 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-19 through a contact portion 180b-19 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND1. Thus, the ground signal GND1 is input to the terminal 353b-19. The terminal 353b-21 is electrically coupled to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12. The wiring 197b-21 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-21 through a contact portion 180b-21 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND1. Thus, the ground signal GND1 is input to the terminal 353b-21. Here, the terminal 353b-19 is an example of a first terminal. The wiring 197b-19 is an example of a first wiring. The contact portion 180b-19 at which the wiring 197b-19 and the terminal 353b-19 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a first contact portion. The terminal 353b-21 is an example of a sixth terminal. The wiring 197b-21 is an example of a sixth wiring. The contact portion 180b-21 at which the wiring 197b-21 and the terminal 353b-21 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a sixth contact portion.
Regarding the wirings 197b-19 and 197b-21 which are disposed in a manner as described above and in which the ground signal GND1 is propagated, the wiring 197b-20 in which the base latch signal oLAT is propagated is located to be adjacent to the wiring 197b-19 and the wiring 197b-21 in the Y-direction in which the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are arranged. That is, regarding the terminals 353b-19 and 353b-21 to which the ground signal GND1 is input, the terminal 353b-20 to which the base latch signal oLAT is input is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353b-19 and the terminal 353b-21 in the Y-direction in which the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are arranged. Thus, it is possible to shield the wiring in which the base latch signal oLAT is propagated, by the ground signal GND1, and to reduce a concern that external noise is superimposed on the base latch signal oLAT.
The ground signal GND2 is propagated in wirings 197b-3 and 197b-6. The ground signal GND2 is input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180b-3 and 180b-6 and the terminals 353b-3 and 353b-6 in the liquid discharge head 21. That is, the terminals 353b-3 and 353b-6 are electrically coupled to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-3 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-3 through the contact portion 180b-3 and is used for propagating the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130. The wiring 197b-6 is electrically coupled to the terminal 353b-6 through the contact portion 180b-6, and is used for propagating the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130. Thus, the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input to the terminals 353b-3 and 353-6. Here, the ground signal GND2 is an example of a second reference voltage signal. The terminal 353b-3 is an example of a second terminal. The wiring 197b-3 is an example of a second wiring. The contact portion 180b-3 at which the wiring 197b-3 and the terminal 353b-3 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a second contact portion. The terminal 353b-6 is an example of a third terminal. The wiring 197b-6 is an example of a third wiring. The contact portion 180b-6 at which the wiring 197b-6 and the terminal 353b-6 are electrically in contact with each other is an example of a third contact portion.
As described above, in the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, the wiring 197b-4 in which the signal dSCK+ is propagated and the wiring 197b-5 in which the signal dSCK− is propagated are disposed to be arranged side by side in the Y-direction. In the Y-direction in which the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are arranged, the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other, the wiring 197b-5 and the wiring 197b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other, and the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are located between the wiring 197b-3 and the wiring 197b-6. That is, in the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, the wirings 197b-3, 197b-4, 197b-5, and 197b-6 are provided in the same cable 19b. The wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other. The wiring 197b-5 and the wiring 197b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other. The wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are located between the wiring 197b-3 and the wiring 197b-6. Here, the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where the wiring and the wiring are located to be adjacent to each other through the insulator 198, a space, or the like. In other words, the wirings 197b-3, 197b-4, 197b-5, and 197b-6 are provided in the same cable 19b in order of the wirings 197b-3, 197b-4, 197b-5, and 197b-6.
In the liquid discharge head 21, the terminal 353b-4 to which the signal dSCK+ is input and the terminal 353b-5 to which the signal dSCK− is input are disposed to be arranged side by side in the Y-direction. In the Y-direction in which the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are arranged, the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other, the terminal 353b-5 and the terminal 353b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other, and the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are located between the terminal 353b-3 and the terminal 353b-6. That is, in the liquid discharge head 21, the terminals 353b-3, 353b-4, 353b-5, and 353b-6 are provided in the same connector 350b. The terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other. The terminal 353b-5 and the terminal 353b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other. The terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are located between the terminal 353b-3 and the terminal 353b-6. Here, the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-3, and the terminal 353b-5 and the terminal 353b-6 in the connector 350 are located to be adjacent to each other through, for example, an insulator such as the housing 351 or an internal space of the cable attachment portion 352. In other words, the terminals 353b-3, 353b-4, 353b-5, and 353b-6 are provided in the same connector 350b in order of the terminals 353b-3, 353b-4, 353b-5, and 353b-6.
In the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are disposed to be arranged side by side. In the Y-direction being a direction in which the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are arranged, the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other, the contact portion 180b-5 and the contact portion 180b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other, and the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are located between the contact portion 180b-3 and the contact portion 180b-6. That is, in the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the contact portions 180b-3, 180b-4, 180b-5, and 180b-6 are included in a plurality of contact portions 180b at which the cable 19b and the connector 350b are electrically in contact with each other. The contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-3 are located to be adjacent to each other. The contact portion 180b-5 and the contact portion 180b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other. The contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are located between the contact portion 180b-3 and the contact portion 180b-6. Here, the phrase of being located to be adjacent includes a case where, at the plurality of contact portions 180b at which the cable 19b and the connector 350b are electrically in contact with each other, the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-3, and the contact portion 180b-5 and the contact portion 180b-6 are located to be adjacent to each other through a space and the like. In other words, the contact portions 180b-3, 180b-4, 180b-5, and 180b-6 are provided in the plurality of contact portions 180b at which the cable 19b and the connector 350b are electrically in contact with each other, in order of the contact portions 180b-3, 180b-4, 180b-5, and 180b-6.
Thus, it is possible to shield the wiring in which the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated, by the ground signal GND2, and to reduce a concern that external noise is superimposed on the differential clock signal dSCK. Further, since the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is used as a ground for shielding the differential clock signal dSCK, it is possible to reduce a current path generated based on the differential clock signal dSCK. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the differential clock signal dSCK.
The cable 19b is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal NVTS, a signal TSIG, and a signal NCHG. The signal NVTS is used for detecting a discharge state of an ink from the liquid discharge head 21. The signal TSIG is used for defining a detection timing of the discharge state of the ink by the signal NVTS. The signal NCHG is used for forcibly driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 in the liquid discharge head 21. The plurality of control signals such as the signals NVTS, TSIG, and NCHG are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350b.
Specifically, the driving signal COMA7 being the base of the driving signal VOUT7 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2a is propagated in wirings 197d-22 and 197d-24. The driving signal COMA7 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-7 through contact portions 180d-22 and 180d-24, and the terminals 353d-22 and 353d-24. The driving signal COMB7 being the base of the driving signal VOUT7 is propagated in wirings 197c-2 and 197c-4. The driving signal COMB7 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-7 through contact portions 180c-2 and 180c-4 and the terminals 353c-2 and 353c-4. The voltage VBS7 is propagated in wirings 197c-1, 197c-3, 197d-21, and 197d-23. The voltage VBS7 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-1, 180c-3, 180d-21, and 180d-23 and the terminals 353c-1, 353c-3, 353d-21, and 353d-23.
The driving signal COMA8 being the base of the driving signal VOUT8 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2b is propagated in wirings 197c-6 and 197c-8. The driving signal COMA8 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-8 through contact portions 180c-6 and 180c-8 and the terminals 353c-6 and 353c-8. The driving signal COMB8 being the base of the driving signal VOUT8 is propagated in wirings 197d-20 and 197d-18. The driving signal COMB8 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-8 through contact portions 180d-20 and 180d-18, and the terminals 353d-20 and 353d-18. The voltage VBS8 is propagated in wirings 197c-5, 197c-7, 197d-17, and 197d-19. The voltage VBS8 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-5, 180c-7, 180d-17, and 180d-19 and the terminals 353c-5, 353c-7, 353d-17, and 353d-19.
The driving signal COMA9 being the base of the driving signal VOUT9 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2c is propagated in wirings 197d-14 and 197d-16. The driving signal COMA9 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-9 through contact portions 180d-14 and 180d-16, and the terminals 353d-14 and 353d-16. The driving signal COMB9 being the base of the driving signal VOUT9 is propagated in wirings 197c-10 and 197c-12. The driving signal COMB9 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-9 through contact portions 180c-10 and 180c-12 and the terminals 353c-10 and 353c-12. The voltage VBS9 is propagated in wirings 197c-9, 197c-11, 197d-13, and 197d-15. The voltage VBS9 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-9, 180c-11, 180d-13, and 180d-15 and the terminals 353c-9, 353c-11, 353d-13, and 353d-15.
The driving signal COMA10 being the base of the driving signal VOUT10 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2d is propagated in wirings 197c-14 and 197c-16. The driving signal COMA10 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-10 through contact portions 180c-14 and 180c-16, and the terminals 353c-14 and 353c-16. The driving signal COMB10 being the base of the driving signal VOUT10 is propagated in wirings 197d-10 and 197d-12. The driving signal COMB10 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-10 through contact portions 180d-10 and 180d-12 and the terminals 353d-10 and 353d-12. The voltage VBS10 is propagated in wirings 197c-13, 197c-15, 197d-9, and 197d-11. The voltage VBS10 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-13, 180c-15, 180d-9, and 180d-11 and the terminals 353c-13, 353c-15, 353d-9, and 353d-11.
The driving signal COMA11 being the base of the driving signal VOUT11 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2e is propagated in wirings 197d-6 and 197d-8. The driving signal COMA11 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-11 through contact portions 180d-6 and 180d-8, and the terminals 353d-6 and 353d-8. The driving signal COMB11 being the base of the driving signal VOUT11 is propagated in wirings 197c-18 and 197c-20. The driving signal COMB11 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-11 through contact portions 180c-18 and 180c-20 and the terminals 353c-18 and 353c-20. The voltage VBS11 is propagated in wirings 197c-17, 197c-19, 197d-5, and 197d-7. The voltage VBS11 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-17, 180c-19, 180d-5, and 180d-7 and the terminals 353c-17, 353c-19, 353d-5, and 353d-7.
The driving signal COMA12 being the base of the driving signal VOUT12 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L2f is propagated in wirings 197c-22 and 197c-24. The driving signal COMA12 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-12 through contact portions 180c-22 and 180c-24, and the terminals 353c-22 and 353c-24. The driving signal COMB12 being the base of the driving signal VOUT12 is propagated in wirings 197d-2 and 197d-4. The driving signal COMB12 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-12 through contact portions 180d-2 and 180d-4 and the terminals 353d-2 and 353d-4. The voltage VBS12 is propagated in wirings 197c-22, 197c-24, 197d-2, and 197d-4. The voltage VBS12 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180c-22, 180c-24, 180d-2, and 180d-4 and the terminals 353c-22, 353c-24, 353d-2, and 353d-4.
Specifically, the ground signal GND1 is propagated in each of wirings 197e-2 and 197e-4 to 197e-19. The ground signal GND1 is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portions 180e-2 and 180e-4 to 180e-19 and the terminals 353e-3 and 353e-4 to 353e-19 in the liquid discharge head 21, respectively. The voltage VHV is propagated in a wiring 197e-1. The voltage VHV is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portion 180e-1 and the terminal 353e-1 in the liquid discharge head 21. The voltage VDD is propagated in wirings 197e-20 to 197e-23. The voltage VDD is input to the restoration circuit 130 and the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through the contact portions 180e-20 to 180e-23 and the terminals 353e-20 to 353e-23 in the liquid discharge head 21, respectively.
The cable 19e is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal XHOT and a signal TH. The signal XHOT indicates temperature abnormality of the liquid discharge head 21. The signal TH indicates temperature information of the liquid discharge head 21. The plurality of control signals such as the signals XHOT and TH are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350a.
The pair of differential clock signals dSCK are propagated in wirings 197f-4 and 197f-5. Specifically, one signal dSCK+ in the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197f-4. The signal dSCK+ is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180f-4 and the terminal 353f-4 in the liquid discharge head 21. The other signal dSCK− in the pair of differential clock signals dSCK is propagated in the wiring 197f-5. The signal dSCK− is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180f-5 and the terminal 353f-5 in the liquid discharge head 21.
The pair of differential print data signals dSI7 to dSI12 are propagated in wirings 197f-7 to 197f-18, respectively. Specifically, one signals dSI7+, dSI8+, dSI9+, dSI10+, dSI11+, and dSI12+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI7 to dSI12 are propagated in the wirings 197f-7, 197f-9, 197f-11, 197f-13, 197f-15, and 197f-17, respectively. The signal dSI7+, dSI8+, dSI9+, dSI10+, dSI11+, and dSI12+ are input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180f-7, 180f-9, 180f-11, 180f-13, 180f-15, and 180f-17 and the terminals 353f-7, 353f-9, 353f-11, 353f-13, 353f-15, and 353f-17 in the liquid discharge head 21. The other signals signal dSI7−, dSI8−, dSI9−, dSI10−, dSI11−, and dSI12− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI7 to dSI12 are propagated in the wirings 197f-8, 197f-10, 197f-12, 197f-14, 197f-16, and 197f-18, respectively. The signal dSI7−, dSI8−, dSI9−, dSI10−, dSI11−, and dSI12− are input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180f-8, 180f-10, 180f-12, 180f-14, 180f-16, and 180f-18 and the terminals 353f-8, 353f-10, 353f-12, 353f-14, 353f-16, and 353f-18 in the liquid discharge head 21.
The base latch signal oLAT is propagated in wiring 197f-20. The base latch signal oLAT is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180f-20 and the terminal 353f-20 in the liquid discharge head 21. The base change signal oCHa is propagated in wiring 197f-22. The base change signal oCHa is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180f-22 and the terminal 353f-22 in the liquid discharge head 21. The base change signal oCHb is propagated in wiring 197f-23. The base change signal oCHb is input to the restoration circuit 130 through a contact portion 180f-23 and the terminal 353f-23 in the liquid discharge head 21.
The ground signal GND1 is propagated in wirings 197f-19 and 197f-21. The ground signal GND1 is input to the driving signal selection circuits 200-1 to 200-12 through contact portions 180f-19 and 180f-21 and the terminals 353f-19 and 353f-21 in the liquid discharge head 21. The ground signal GND2 is propagated in wirings 197f-3 and 197f-6. The ground signal GND2 is input to the restoration circuit 130 through contact portions 180f-3 and 180f-6 and the terminals 353f-3 and 353f-6 in the liquid discharge head 21.
The cable 19f is used for propagating a plurality of control signals such as a signal NVTS for detecting a discharge state of an ink from the liquid discharge head 21, a signal TSIG for defining a detection timing of the discharge state of the ink by the signal NVTS, and a signal NCHG for forcibly driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements 60 in the liquid discharge head 21. The plurality of control signals such as the signals NVTS, TSIG, and NCHG are input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the connector 350f.
Specifically, the driving signal COMA1 being the base of the driving signal VOUT1 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1a is propagated in wirings 197h-22 and 197h-24. The driving signal COMA1 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-1 through contact portions 180h-22 and 180h-24, and the terminals 353h-22 and 353h-24. The driving signal COMB1 being the base of the driving signal VOUT1 is propagated in wirings 197g-2 and 197g-4. The driving signal COMB1 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-1 through contact portions 180g-2 and 180g-4 and the terminals 353g-2 and 353g-4. The voltage VBS1 is propagated in wirings 197g-1, 197g-3, 197h-21, and 197h-23. The voltage VBS1 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-1, 180g-3, 180h-21, and 180h-23 and the terminals 353g-1, 353g-3, 353h-21, and 353h-23.
The driving signal COMA2 being the base of the driving signal VOUT2 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1b is propagated in wirings 197g-6 and 197g-8. The driving signal COMA2 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-2 through contact portions 180g-6 and 180g-8 and the terminals 353g-6 and 353g-8. The driving signal COMB2 being the base of the driving signal VOUT2 is propagated in wirings 197h-18 and 197h-20. The driving signal COMB2 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-2 through contact portions 180h-18 and 180h-20, and the terminals 353h-18 and 353h-20. The voltage VBS2 is propagated in wirings 197g-5, 197g-7, 197h-17, and 197h-19. The voltage VBS2 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-5, 180g-7, 180h-17, and 180h-19 and the terminals 353g-5, 353g-7, 353h-17, and 353h-19.
The driving signal COMA3 being the base of the driving signal VOUT3 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1c is propagated in wirings 197h-14 and 197h-16. The driving signal COMA3 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-3 through contact portions 180h-14 and 180h-16, and the terminals 353h-14 and 353h-16. The driving signal COMB3 being the base of the driving signal VOUT3 is propagated in wirings 197g-10 and 197g-12. The driving signal COMB3 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-3 through contact portions 180g-10 and 180g-12 and the terminals 353g-10 and 353g-12. The voltage VBS3 is propagated in wirings 197g-9, 197g-11, 197h-13, and 197h-15. The voltage VBS3 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-9, 180g-11, 180h-13, and 180h-15 and the terminals 353g-9, 353g-11, 353h-13, and 353h-15.
The driving signal COMA4 being the base of the driving signal VOUT4 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1d is propagated in wirings 197g-14 and 197g-16. The driving signal COMA4 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-4 through contact portions 180g-14 and 180g-16 and the terminals 353h-14 and 353h-16. The driving signal COMB4 being the base of the driving signal VOUT4 is propagated in wirings 197h-10 and 197h-12. The driving signal COMB4 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-4 through contact portions 180h-10 and 180h-12, and the terminals 353h-10 and 353h-12. The voltage VBS4 is propagated in wirings 197g-13, 197g-15, 197h-9, and 197h-11. The voltage VBS4 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-13, 180g-15, 180h-9, and 180h-11 and the terminals 353g-13, 353g-15, 353h-9, and 353h-11.
The driving signal COMA5 being the base of the driving signal VOUT5 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1e is propagated in wirings 197h-6 and 197h-8. The driving signal COMA5 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-5 through contact portions 180h-6 and 180h-8, and the terminals 353h-6 and 353h-8. The driving signal COMB5 being the base of the driving signal VOUT5 is propagated in wirings 197g-18 and 197g-20. The driving signal COMB5 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-5 through contact portions 180g-18 and 180g-20 and the terminals 353g-18 and 353g-20. The voltage VBS5 is propagated in wirings 197g-17, 197g-19, 197h-5, and 197h-7. The voltage VBS5 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-17, 180g-19, 180h-5, and 180h-7 and the terminals 353g-17, 353g-19, 353h-5, and 353h-7.
The driving signal COMA6 being the base of the driving signal VOUT6 to be supplied to one end of the piezoelectric element 60 included in the nozzle line L1f is propagated in wirings 197g-22 and 197g-24. The driving signal COMA6 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-6 through contact portions 180g-22 and 180g-24 and the terminals 353h-22 and 353h-24. The driving signal COMB6 being the base of the driving signal VOUT6 is propagated in wirings 197h-2 and 197h-4. The driving signal COMB6 is input to the driving signal selection circuit 200-6 through contact portions 180h-2 and 180h-4, and the terminals 353h-2 and 353h-4. The voltage VBS6 is propagated in wirings 197g-22, 197g-24, 197h-2, and 197h-4. The voltage VBS6 is supplied to the other end of the piezoelectric element 60 through contact portions 180g-22, 180g-24, 180h-2, and 180h-4 and the terminals 353g-22, 353g-24, 353h-2, and 353h-4.
In the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and the liquid discharge head 21 configured in a manner as described above, the clock signal among the plurality of control signals for controlling the liquid discharge head 21 is converted into the pair of differential clock signals dSCK, and is propagated from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 to the liquid discharge head 21. In this case, the wiring 197b-4, the terminal 353b-4, and the contact portion 180b-4 for propagating the signal dSCK+ being the one signal of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK are located to be adjacent to the wiring 197b-3, the terminal 353b-3, and the contact portion 180b-3 for propagating the ground signal GND2 of the restoration circuit 130 that restores the pair of differential clock signals dSCK to the clock signal SCK. In addition, the wiring 197b-5, the terminal 353b-5, and the contact portion 180b-5 for propagating the signal dSCK− being the other signal of the pair of differential clock signals dSCK are located to be adjacent to the wiring 197b-6, the terminal 353b-6, and the contact portion 180b-5 for propagating the ground signal GND2 of the restoration circuit 130. Thus, it is possible to reduce a propagation path in which the pair of differential clock signals dSCK are propagated to the restoration circuit 130. In addition, it is possible to reduce a concern that the pair of differential clock signals dSCK are distorted, and to reduce a concern that external noise is superimposed on the pair of differential clock signals dSCK.
A liquid discharge apparatus 1, a liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and a liquid discharge head 21 according to a second embodiment will be described. The liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the first embodiment in that the wiring 197b-4 adjacent to the wiring 197b-3 in which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is propagated is used for propagating one signal dSI1+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1, and the wiring 197b-5 adjacent to the wiring 197b-6 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is used for propagating the other signal dSI1− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1.
The liquid discharge head 21 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head 21 in the first embodiment in that the one signal dSI1+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the terminal 353b-4 adjacent to the terminal 353b-3 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input, and the other signal dSI1− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the terminal 353b-5 adjacent to the terminal 353b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 is input.
The liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the second embodiment is different from the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the first embodiment in that the one signal dSI1+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the contact portion 180b-4 adjacent to the contact portion 180b-3 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input, and the other signal dSI1− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input to the contact portion 180b-5 adjacent to the contact portion 180b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 is input.
When the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and the liquid discharge head 21 according to the second embodiment will be described, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions of the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be repeated.
In the liquid discharge head 21 in the second embodiment, the terminal 353b-4 to which the one signal dSI1+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353b-3 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input. The terminal 353b-5 to which the other signal dSI1− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input is located to be adjacent to the terminal 353b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input.
In the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the second embodiment, the contact portion 180b-4 to which the one signal dSI1+ of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input is located to be adjacent to the contact portion 180b-3 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input. The contact portion 180b-5 to which the other signal dSI1− of the pair of differential print data signals dSI1 is input is located to be adjacent to the contact portion 180b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is input.
In the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 configured as described above in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the wirings 197b-3 and 197b-6 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated are disposed to be adjacent to both sides of the wirings 197b-4 and 197b-5 in which the differential print data signal dSI1 are propagated, and thus the wirings 197b-3 and 197b-6 function as shield wirings. Thus, it is possible to reduce the concern that external noise is superimposed on the differential print data signal dSI1. Further, since the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is used as a ground for shielding the differential print data signal dSI1, it is possible to reduce a current path generated based on the differential print data signal dSI1. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the differential print data signal dSI1.
Similarly, in the liquid discharge head 21 in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the terminals 353b-3 and 353b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 is input are disposed to be adjacent to both sides of the terminals 353b-4 and 353b-5 to which the differential print data signal dSI1 is input, and thus the terminals 353b-3 and 353b-6 function as shield terminals. Thus, it is possible to reduce the concern that external noise is superimposed on the differential print data signal dSI1. Further, since the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is used as a ground for shielding the differential print data signal dSI1, it is possible to reduce a current path generated based on the differential print data signal dSI1. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the differential print data signal dSI1.
Similarly, in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the contact portions 180b-3 and 180b-6 to which the ground signal GND2 is input are disposed to be adjacent to both sides of the contact portions 180b-4 and 180b-5 to which the differential print data signal dSI1 is input, and thus the contact portions 180b-3 and 180b-6 function as shields. Thus, it is possible to reduce the concern that external noise is superimposed on the differential print data signal dSI1. Further, since the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is used as a ground for shielding the differential print data signal dSI1, it is possible to reduce a current path generated based on the differential print data signal dSI1. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the differential print data signal dSI1.
A liquid discharge apparatus 1, a liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and a liquid discharge head 21 according to a third embodiment will be described. The liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the third embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the first embodiment in that the wiring in which the differential signal is propagated and the wiring in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated at least overlap each other in the X-direction. When the third embodiment will be described, descriptions will be made on the assumption that the differential signal propagated in the wiring facing the wiring in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is set to the differential clock signal dSCK. However, this differential signal may be the differential print data signal dSI1.
The liquid discharge head 21 in the third embodiment is different from the liquid discharge head 21 in the first embodiment in that the terminal to which the differential signal is input and the terminal to which the ground signal GND2 is input are provided to at least overlap each other in the X-direction. The liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the third embodiment is different from the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the first embodiment in that the contact portion to which the differential signal and the contact portion to which the ground signal GND2 is input are provided to at least overlap each other in the X-direction. When the third embodiment will be described, descriptions will be made on the assumption that the differential signal input to the terminal and the contact portion which face the terminal and the contact portion to which the ground signal GND2 is input is set to the differential clock signal dSCK. However, this differential signal may be the differential print data signal dSI1.
When the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and the liquid discharge head 21 according to the third embodiment will be described, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions of the same components as those in the first embodiment will not be repeated.
As illustrated in
Specifically, the ground signal GND1 is propagated in each of the wirings 197a-2 and 197a-4 to 197a-19 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180a-2 and 180a-4 to 180a-19 and each of the terminals 353a-3 and 353a-4 to 353a-19. The ground signal GND2 is propagated in each of the wirings 197a-20 and 197a-21 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180a-20 and 180a-21 and each of the terminals 353a-20 and 353a-21. The voltage VHV is propagated in the wiring 197a-1 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through the contact portion 180a-1 and the terminal 353a-1. The voltage VDD is propagated in each of the wirings 197a-22 and 197a-23 and is input to the liquid discharge head 21 through each of the contact portions 180a-22 and 180a-23 and each of the terminals 353a-22 and 353a-23.
As illustrated in
That is, in the liquid discharge head 21 in the third embodiment, in the direction intersecting with the direction in which the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are arranged, the terminal 353a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to overlap the terminal 353b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input, and the terminal 353a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to overlap the terminal 353b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input. In other words, the ground signal GND2 and the differential clock signal dSCK are input to the different connectors 350. In the direction intersecting with the direction in which the terminal 353b-4 and the terminal 353b-5 are arranged, the terminal 353a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to face the terminal 353b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input, and the terminal 353a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to face the terminal 353b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input.
Here, the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the terminal 353a-k and the terminal 353b-k. For example, the head substrate 320, the housing 351 of the connector 350, and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the terminal 353a-k and the terminal 353b-k. In other words, the phrase of being located to face means that another terminal 353 is not located between the terminal 353a-k and the terminal 353b-k when viewed from a specific direction. That is, the shortest distance between the terminal 353a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input and the terminal 353b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the terminal 353a-21 and the terminal of the connector 350a, to which the ground signal GND1 is input. The shortest distance between the terminal 353a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input and the terminal 353b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the terminal 353a-20 and the terminal of the connector 350a, to which the ground signal GND1 is input. Here, the shortest distance means a spatial distance when the terminals 353 are joined to each other by a straight line.
In the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 in the third embodiment, in the direction intersecting with the direction in which the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are arranged, the wiring 197a-21 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is located to overlap the wiring 197b-4 in which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated. The wiring 197a-20 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is located to overlap the wiring 197b-5 in which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated. In other words, the ground signal GND2 and the differential clock signal dSCK are propagated in the different cables 19. In the direction intersecting with the direction in which the wiring 197b-4 and the wiring 197b-5 are arranged, the wiring 197a-21 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is located to face the wiring 197b-4 in which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated. The wiring 197a-20 in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated is located to face the wiring 197b-5 in which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated.
Here, the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the wiring 197a-k and the wiring 197b-k. For example, the head substrate 320, the housing 351 of the connector 350, and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the wiring 197a-k and the wiring 197b-k.
That is, in the liquid discharge apparatus 1 in the third embodiment, in the direction intersecting with the direction in which the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are arranged, the contact portion 180a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to overlap the contact portion 180b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input. The contact portion 180a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to overlap the contact portion 180b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input. In other words, the ground signal GND2 and the differential clock signal dSCK are input to the liquid discharge head 21 from the liquid discharge head control circuit 15 through the different contact portions 180. In the direction intersecting with the direction in which the contact portion 180b-4 and the contact portion 180b-5 are arranged, the contact portion 180a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to face the contact portion 180b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input, and the contact portion 180a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input is located to face the contact portion 180b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input.
Here, the phrase of being located to face is not limited to that a space is provided between the contact portion 180a-k and the contact portion 180b-k. For example, the head substrate 320, the housing 351 of the connector 350, and the insulator 198 of the cable 19 may be interposed between the contact portion 180a-k and the contact portion 180b-k. In other words, the phrase of being located to face means that another contact portion 180 is not located between the contact portion 180a-k and the contact portion 180b-k when viewed from a specific direction. That is, the shortest distance between the contact portion 180a-21 to which the ground signal GND2 is input and the contact portion 180b-4 to which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the contact portion 180a-21 and the contact portion 180 to which the ground signal GND1 is input. The shortest distance between the contact portion 180a-20 to which the ground signal GND2 is input and the contact portion 180b-5 to which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is input is shorter than the shortest distance between the contact portion 180a-20 and the contact portion 180 to which the ground signal GND1 is input. Here, the shortest distance means a spatial distance when the contact portions 180 are joined to each other by a straight line.
In the liquid discharge apparatus 1, the liquid discharge head control circuit 15, and the liquid discharge head 21 configured as described above in the third embodiment, the ground signal GND2 to be supplied to the restoration circuit 130 is used as the ground disposed to face the differential clock signal dSCK. Thus, it is possible to reduce a current path generated based on the differential clock signal dSCK. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce distortion of a waveform occurring in the differential clock signal dSCK.
The wiring in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated may be located to at least overlap the wiring in which the one signal dSCK+ in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated. The wiring in which the ground signal GND2 is propagated may be located to at least overlap the wiring in which the other signal dSCK− in the differential clock signal dSCK is propagated. The embodiments are not limited to the above-described arrangement of the connectors 350a and 350b.
Hitherto, the embodiments and the modification examples are described.
However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various forms can be made in a range without departing from the gist. For example, the embodiments may be appropriately combined.
The present disclosure includes the substantially same configurations (for example, configurations having the same functions, methods, and results, or configurations having the same objects and effects) as the configurations described in the embodiments. The present disclosure includes configurations in which non-essential components of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. The present disclosure includes configurations having the same advantageous effects as those of the configurations described in the embodiments or includes configurations capable of achieving the same object. The present disclosure includes configurations in which a known technique is added to the configurations described in the embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-241702 | Dec 2018 | JP | national |
| 2019-036741 | Feb 2019 | JP | national |
