The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-069116, filed on Mar. 30, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus jetting ink from nozzles and to a method for allocating power circuits in the printing apparatus.
When the same drive voltage is applied respectively to nozzles, the nozzles have different jetting amounts (jetting velocities) of liquid droplets according to the properties of the nozzles. Conventionally, therefore, such liquid droplet jet apparatuses have been proposed as to select an optimal drive voltage for each nozzle such that the jetting amounts of liquid droplets from the nozzles may be equalized (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-173910).
In order to select the optimal drive voltage, it is necessary to provide a plurality of power sources having different voltages.
However, if there are many nozzles having the same optimal drive voltage, then a large amount of electric power has to be supplied by one power circuit corresponding to those nozzles. Hence, it is necessary to prepare a power circuit capable of supplying a large amount of electric power and, meanwhile, the size of the power circuit capable of supplying a large amount of electric power is also large.
The present teaching is made in view of the above situation, and an object thereof is to provide a printing apparatus capable of providing a plurality of power circuits while downsizing the power circuits to restrain the apparatus from growing in size.
Referring to
In
As depicted in
The platen 3 is placed horizontally in the casing 2. The recording paper 100 is placed on the upper surface of the platen 3. The four ink-jet heads 4 are provided above the platen 3 to be juxtaposed in the front-rear direction. The two conveyance rollers 5 and 6 are arranged respectively on the rear side and the front side of the platen 3. The two conveyance rollers 5 and 6 are driven respectively by an undepicted motor to convey the recording paper 100 on the platen 3 to the front side.
The controller 7 includes non-volatile memories and the like such as a plurality of FPGAs 71a and 72a (Field Programmable Gate Array; see
For example, the controller 7 controls the motor for driving the conveyance rollers 5 and 6 to cause the conveyance rollers 5 and 6 to convey the recording paper 100 in the conveyance direction. Further, the controller 7 controls the ink-jet heads 4 to jet inks toward the recording paper 100. By virtue of this, image is printed on the recording paper 100.
Head holders 8 are installed in the casing 2. The head holders 8 are arranged above the platen 3 and juxtaposed in the front-rear direction between the conveyance rollers 5 and 6. The head holders 8 hold the ink-jet heads 4 respectively.
The four ink-jet heads 4 respectively jet the inks of four colors: cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (y), and black (K). Each of the ink-jet heads 4 is supplied with the ink of the corresponding color from an undepicted ink tank.
As depicted in
A plurality of nozzles 11a (actuators) are formed on the lower surface of each of the head units 11. Each of the nozzles 11a includes an aftermentioned piezoelectric body 11b (see
As depicted in
As depicted in
The head units 11 are arranged along an arrangement direction which is the paper width direction. The head units 11 are arranged to be alternately separate between the front side and the rear side in the conveyance direction. Between the head units 11 arranged on the front side and the head units 11 arranged on the rear side, there is a positional deviation on the left and the right (in the arrangement direction). In this embodiment, the head units 11 are juxtaposed along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction (along the paper width direction). However, the head units 11 may be arranged obliquely, that is, along a direction intersecting the conveyance direction at an angle other than 90 degrees.
As depicted in
The reservoir 12 is connected to one of the ink tanks (not depicted) via a tube 16 to temporarily retain the ink supplied from the ink tank. The reservoir 12 has a lower portion connected to the head units 11 to supply each of the head units 11 with the ink from the reservoir 12. Further, the head units 11 may be moved in the paper width direction.
As depicted in
Each of the head units 11 includes a substrate 11c on which a removable connector 11d, a non-volatile memory 11e, and a driver IC 11f are mounted. Each of the head units 11 is connected to one of the second substrates 72 in a removable manner via the connector 11d. Each of the driver ICs 11f includes a switching circuit 27 which will be described later on.
As depicted in
The first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 are connected to a first power wire 34(1) to an nth power wire 34(n) (n is a natural number not smaller than two) via the switching circuit 27. The switching circuit 27 connects each of the first power wire 34(1) to the nth power wire 34(n) to any of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26. The first power circuit 21 to the fourth power circuit 24 are ordinary power circuits which are ordinary used. The fifth power circuit 25 may be an ordinary power circuit or a standby power circuit while the sixth power circuit 26 is a power circuit of special specification. The sixth power circuit 26 is, for example, used for the highest rank of the drive voltages, or used concurrently as a power supply voltage for the VCOM of the actuators, or used for the nozzles 11a jetting the inks less easily, or used as an HVDD (the back gate voltage on the high side) of a PMOS transistor 31.
The HVDD voltage is connected to the sixth power circuit 26 whose output voltage is higher than the first power circuit 21 to the fifth power circuit 25 such that no electric current may flow in any parasitic diode of the PMOS transistor 31 on the high side even if a higher voltage is applied to a drain terminal 31b than to a source terminal 31a of the PMOS transistor 31.
As depicted in
The FPGA 72a outputs a signal to the switching circuit 27 to connect each of the first power wire 34(1) to the nth power wire 34(n) to any of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26. The FPGA 72a accesses the non-volatile memory 11e as necessary. The non-volatile memory 11e stores a plurality of nozzle addresses identifying the respective nozzles 11a, ranks corresponding to the nozzle addresses, and the like. The ranks will be described later on.
As depicted in
The drain terminals 31b and 32b of the PMOS transistor 31 and NMOS transistor 32 are connected to one end of the impedance 35. The other end of the impedance 35 is connected to the other end of the piezoelectric body 11b′ on one hand and to one end of the piezoelectric body 11b on the other hand. The one end of the piezoelectric body 11b′ on the one hand is connected to the VCOM voltage, that is, the sixth power supply voltage, whereas the other end of the piezoelectric body 11b on the other hand is grounded.
The PMOS transistor 31 and NMOS transistor 32 have gate terminals 31c and 32c connected to any of the first control wire 33(1) to nth control wire 33(n) corresponding to the power wires connected to the source terminal 31a of the PMOS transistor 31.
If an output signal “L” is inputted from the FPGA 72a to the gate terminals 31c and 32c of the PMOS transistor 31 and NMOS transistor 32, then the PMOS transistor 31 is conducted, the piezoelectric body 11b is charged, and the piezoelectric body 11b′ is discharged. If an output signal “H” is inputted from the FPGA 72a to the gate terminals 31c and 32c of the PMOS transistor 31 and NMOS transistor 32, then the NMOS transistor 32 is conducted, the piezoelectric body 11b is discharged, and the piezoelectric body 11b′ is charged. Charging and discharging the piezoelectric bodies 11b and 11b′ cause the piezoelectric bodies 11b and 11b′ to deform such that the inks are jetted from the nozzle 11a.
The ranks of the nozzles 11a will be explained.
As depicted in
The non-volatile memory 11e of the head unit 11 stores such an allocation table as in
The drive voltage serves for jetting the inks from the nozzles 11a at the targeted liquid droplet velocity, and is preset in the non-volatile memory 11e for each rank to suppress the difference in the liquid droplet velocity between the nozzles 11a. Further, the power source numbers 1 to 6 correspond respectively to the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26.
The number of nozzles in each of the ranks A to E is calculated in advance with a method including actual measurement. The calculated number of nozzles is stored in a table in the non-volatile memory 11e. For example, as depicted in
First, the power source number 6 is allocated to the rank E of the highest drive voltage. Further, in descending order of the number of nozzles, the ordinary power circuits, that is, the first power circuit 21 to the fourth power circuit 24, are allocated respectively to the ranks A to D. The power circuit number of the allocated power circuit is stored in the table. For example, as depicted in
The FPGA 72a allocates the standby power circuit, that is, the fifth power circuit 25, to the rank having the maximum number of nozzles (step S1 in
The FPGA 72a sets the output voltages of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 to correspond to the drive voltages of the nozzles 11a corresponding to the ranks A to E (step S2 in
With respect to the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately allocate the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 to the respective ranks A to E so as to minimize the number of small power circuits in use and thus restrain the apparatus from growing in size. Further, by allocating the standby power circuit to the rank having the maximum number of nozzles, it is possible to minimize the number of the power circuits in use and thus restrain the apparatus from growing in size without adding ordinary power circuits.
In the first embodiment, at least two power circuits are allocated to supply the power to the rank associated with a large number of nozzles (actuators) and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is more likely to be conspicuous. Therefore, it is possible to secure a certain number or more of the ranks (four ranks or more in the first embodiment) of the drive voltages needed to adjust the variation of the nozzles in the jetting amount of liquid droplets. Further, the power circuits in use only have a small allowable power. The maximum number of nozzles which can be driven by the power circuits in use is ½ or less (⅓ in the first embodiment) of the number of all nozzles of the head unit 11. That is, the apparatus is restrained from growing in size by securing a certain number of the ranks for the necessary drive voltages while only using the minimum number of the required power circuits only having the small allowable power.
Without using any power circuits having a large allowable power capable of driving all the nozzles (actuators) included in the rank having the maximum number of nozzles, the standby power circuit is allocated to the rank, which has the maximum number of nozzles and in which the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is more likely to be conspicuous. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the apparatus from growing in size by only using the power circuits having the small allowable power. A power circuit having a large allowable power needs to have not only large switching elements (MOSFET, for example), inductors, condensers, heat dissipation patterns for lost heat, and the like, but also a wide wiring range. As a result, the power circuit with the large allowable power grows in size, thereby causing the entire printing apparatus to grow in size if the power circuit with the large allowable power is used.
Referring to
The number of nozzles in each of the ranks A to E is calculated in advance with a method including actual measurement. The calculated number of nozzles is stored in the table in the non-volatile memory 11e. For example, as depicted in
The FPGA 72a allocates an unallocated power circuit to the rank having the maximum number of nozzles among the ranks A to D (step S11). The power circuit number of the allocated power circuit is stored in the table. As depicted in
The FPGA 72a decrements the number of remaining power circuits by one (step S13), and then determines whether the number of remaining power circuits is zero (step S14). If the number of remaining power circuits is not zero (step S14: No), then the FPGA 72a returns the process to the step S11. In the process of the step S11, the power circuit already allocated to a rank will not be allocated to any other rank. By virtue of this, the power circuits are allocated one by one to the respective ranks in descending order of the number of nozzles.
If the number of the remaining power circuits is zero (step S14: Yes), then the FPGA 72a determines whether there is any rank to which no power circuit is allocated (unallocated rank) (step S15). If there is any unallocated rank (step S15: Yes), then such a power circuit is allocated to the unallocated rank as having the closest drive voltage to the drive voltage of the unallocated rank (step S16). As depicted in
The FPGA 72a sets the output voltages of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 to correspond to the drive voltages of the nozzles 11a in the ranks A to E (step S17). The FPGA 72a stores the nozzle addresses in the non-volatile memory 11e while associating each of the nozzle addresses with one of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 (step S18), and then ends the process. If there is no unallocated rank (step S15: No), then the FPGA 72a executes the step S17.
With respect to the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment, a plurality of small power circuits are allocated to the respective ranks in descending order of the number of nozzles. If there is any unallocated rank, then the power circuit having the closest drive voltage to the drive voltage of the unallocated rank is allocated to the unallocated rank, thereby minimizing the number of the small power circuits in use so as to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
By allocating a plurality of power circuits to the respective ranks in descending order of the number of nozzles, it is possible to allocate at least two or more power circuits to the rank, where the number of nozzles (actuators) is larger than or equal to a predetermined number and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is more likely to be conspicuous. On the other hand, if it is not possible to allocate the power circuits to all ranks, then such ranks are defined as unallocated ranks that there is a small number of nozzles and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is less likely to be conspicuous. It is possible to secure a certain number or more of the ranks (four ranks or more in this embodiment) of the drive voltages needed to adjust the variation of the jetting amount of liquid droplets of each nozzle by allocating the power circuit having the closest voltage to voltage of the unallocated rank to the unallocated rank. Further, by only using the minimum necessary number of the power circuits having the small allowable power, it is possible to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
Referring to
The number of nozzles in each of the ranks A to E is calculated in advance with a method including actual measurement. The calculated number of nozzles is stored in a table in the non-volatile memory 11e. For example, as depicted in
From the ranks A to D, the FPGA 72a selects a rank having the maximum number of nozzles and being not set with the aftermentioned flag (step S21). As depicted in
The FPGA 72a calculates the quotient P of dividing the number of nozzles of the selected rank (870 of the rank C, for example) by the maximum number of drivable nozzles (560, for example) (step S22). The FPGA 72a determines whether the quotient P is equal to or less than one (step S23). If the quotient P is more than one (step S23: No), then the FPGA 72a determines whether the quotient P is more than one but is equal to or less than two (step S25).
If the quotient P is more than one but is equal to or less than two (step S25: Yes), then the selected rank is divided by two and two power circuits are allocated respectively (step S26). The FPGA 72a sets the number of nozzles of each divided rank (the sub number of nozzles) to the half of the number of nozzles of the undivided rank. That is, the FPGA 72a divides the maximum number of nozzles and calculates the sub number of nozzles. The power circuit numbers of the allocated power circuits are stored in the table.
As depicted in
Likewise, the rank D is also divided into a rank D1 and a rank D2, and the number of nozzles of each of the divided ranks (the second sub number of nozzles) is the half of the number of nozzles 630 of the undivided rank, that is, 315. Then, two power circuits are allocated respectively. Further, the number of nozzles of the divided rank (the sub number of nozzles or the second sub number of nozzles) is not limited to the equally divided number of nozzles of the undividedrank.
Each of the divided ranks is set with a flag indicating the allocation of the power circuit (step S28), and the number of allocated power circuits is subtracted from the number of remaining power circuits (step S29). For example, the ranks C1 and C2 are set with the flags, and thus two is subtracted from the remaining power circuits.
If the quotient P is more than two (step S25: No), that is, if the quotient P is larger than two, then the FPGA 72a divides the selected rank into three ranks, allocates three power circuits respectively to the same (step S26), and executes the step S28.
The FPGA 72a determines whether the number of remaining power circuits is zero (step S30). If the number of remaining power circuits is not zero (step S30: No), then the FPGA 72a returns the process to the step S21. If the number of remaining power circuits is zero (step S30: Yes), then the FPGA 72a determines whether there is any rank without allocated power circuit (unallocated rank) (step S31).
If there is any unallocated rank (step S31: Yes), then the FPGA 72a allocates, to the unallocated rank, the power circuit allocated to the rank having the closest drive voltage to the drive voltage of the unallocated rank (step S32). As depicted in
The FPGA 72a sets the output voltages of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 to correspond to the drive voltages of the nozzles 11a corresponding to the ranks A to E (step S33). The FPGA 72a, stores the nozzle addresses in the non-volatile memory 11e while associating each of the nozzle addresses with one of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 (step S34), and then ends the process.
In the step S23, if the quotient P is equal to or less than one (step S23: Yes), then the first power circuit 21 to the fifth power circuit 25 are allocated to the ranks A to D in descending order of the number of nozzles (step S24), and the process proceeds to the step S31.
In the step S31, if there is no unallocated rank (step S31: No), then the FPGA 72a executes the step S33.
In the third embodiment, although the upper limit of the number of divided ranks is three in the steps S23 to S27, the upper limit may not be set. For example, n may be sought within the range 1<P≤n (n is a natural number not smaller than two) to divide a rank by n. The upper limit of the dividing number is set as appropriate in consideration of the number of power circuits, the maximum number of drivable nozzles, the maximum number of nozzles among ranks, and the like.
With respect to the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment, the maximum number of nozzles is divided to calculate the sub number of nozzles, and a plurality of small power circuits are allocated to the respective ranks in descending order of the number of nozzles and the sub number of nozzles. Further, the power circuit having the closest voltage to the voltage of an unallocated rank is allocated to the unallocated rank. By virtue of this, it is possible to minimize the number of the small power circuits in use so as to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
By allocating, to the unallocated rank, the power circuit having the closest voltage to the voltage of the unallocated rank, at least two or more power circuits are allocated for supplying the power to the rank, where the number of nozzles (actuators) is equal to or larger than the predetermined number and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is more likely to be conspicuous. On the other hand, if it is not possible to allocate power circuits to all ranks, then such ranks are defined as unallocated ranks that there is a small number of nozzles and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is less likely to be conspicuous. It is possible to secure a certain number or more of the ranks (four ranks or more in this embodiment) of the drive voltages needed to adjust the variation of the jetting amount of liquid droplets of each nozzle by allocating, to the unallocated rank, the power circuit having the closest voltage to voltage of the unallocated rank. Further, by only using the minimum necessary number of the power circuits having a small allowable power, it is possible to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
As necessary, for the next largest number of nozzles to the maximum number of nozzles, the second sub number of nozzles may be calculated and, in descending order of the number of nozzles, the sub number of nozzles and the second sub number of nozzles, a plurality of small power circuits may be allocated to the respective ranks. It is possible to minimize the number of the small power circuits in use, thereby suppressing the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
By allocating a plurality of power circuits to the respective ranks in descending order of the number of nozzles, sub number of nozzles and second sub number of nozzles, it is possible to allocate at least two or more power circuits for supplying the power to all of the ranks, where the number of nozzles (actuators) is equal to or larger than a predetermined number and the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value there is more likely to be conspicuous. Thus, by only using the power circuits having a small allowable power, it is possible to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
Referring to
In the initial state, all of the ranks are not set with the aftermentioned flags. Further, in the initial state, the non-volatile memory 11e stores the total number of power circuits (five in this embodiment) as the number of remaining power circuits.
The number of nozzles in each of the ranks A to E is calculated in advance with a method including actual measurement. The calculated numbers of nozzles of the ranks A to E are stored in the non-volatile memory 11e. For example, as depicted in
The FPGA 72a selects a rank (maximum rank) having the largest number of nozzles associated therewith and being not set with the aftermentioned flag from the ranks A to D (step S41). As depicted in
The FPGA 72a allocates a power circuit to the selected rank (step S42). The power circuit number of the allocated power circuit is stored in the table. As depicted in
For example, the maximum number of drivable nozzles 560 of the first power circuit 21 is subtracted from the number of nozzles 1200 of the rank C, and stores the subtracted result 640 in the non-volatile memory 11e (see
If it is determined that the number of the power circuits allocated to the selected rank has not reached the maximum allocation number (step S45: No), then the FPGA 72a determines whether the number of remaining power circuits is zero (step S47). If the number of remaining power circuits is not zero (step S47: No), then the FPGA 72a returns the process to the step S41.
For example, if only one power circuit is allocated to the rank C, then the number of remaining power circuits is four but not zero. Thus, the process is returned to the step S41. On this occasion, because the rank C is not set with the aftermentioned flag, the process is carried out from the step S41 with the number of nozzles 640 in the rank C. That is, the FPGA 72a carries out the process from the step S41 with the numbers of nozzles in the ranks A to D being, respectively, 7, 150, 640, and 300.
If it is determined that the number of power circuits allocated to the selected rank has reached the maximum allocation number (step S45: Yes), then the FPGA 72a sets the selected rank with the flag indicating completion of allocating the power circuits (step S46), and carries out the step S47. As depicted in
If the second power circuit is allocated to the rank C in the step S42, then in the step S43, the FPGA 72a subtracts the maximum number of drivable nozzles 560 of the first power circuit 21 from the number of nozzles 640 of the rank C, and the subtracted result 80 is stored in the non-volatile memory 11e.
If the number of remaining power circuits is zero (step S47: Yes), then the FPGA 72a determines whether the subtracted number of nozzles exceeds zero in the rank set with the flag (step S48). If the subtracted number of nozzles exceeds zero (step S48: Yes), then the FPGA 72a divides the subtracted number of nozzles to allocate the same to another rank (step S49).
As depicted in
The difference between the drive voltage of the rank C and the drive voltage of each of the rank B and the rank D is set to be not higher than a predetermined value such as not higher than 1.0[V]. That is, the number of nozzles 80 after the subtraction in the rank C (rank of maximum number of nozzles) is allocated to the ranks B and D (other ranks) whose voltage differences from the drive voltage of the rank C are not higher than the predetermined value.
The FPGA 72a sets the output voltages of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 to correspond to the drive voltages of the nozzles 11a in the ranks A to E (step S50). The FPGA 72a stores the nozzle addresses in the non-volatile memory 11e while associating each of the nozzle addresses with one of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 (step S51), and then ends the process. Further, in the step S48, if the number of nozzles after the subtraction does not exceed zero (step S48: No), then the FPGA 72a executes the step S50.
With respect to the printing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the power circuits not more than the maximum allocation number (two, for example) are allocated to the rank of maximum number of nozzles (the rank C, for example) while the power circuits less than the maximum allocation number are allocated to other ranks. If the number of nozzles in the rank of maximum number of nozzles exceeds the total number of maximum number of drivable nozzles (a predetermined number) of the allocated one or plurality of power circuits, then the same number of nozzles 11a as the number of subtracting the total number from the number of nozzles in the rank of maximum number of nozzles are allocated to the other ranks whose voltage difference from the voltage of the power circuit corresponding to the rank of maximum number of nozzles is not higher than the predetermined value. By virtue of this, the number of small power circuits in use is minimized to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size. By the allocation described above, the difference between the jetting amount of liquid droplets and its target value is made as less conspicuous as possible. Hence, it is possible to secure a certain number or more of the ranks (four or more ranks in this embodiment) of the drive voltages needed to adjust the variation of the respective nozzles in the jetting amount of liquid droplets. Further, by only using the minimum necessary number of the power circuits having a small allowable power, it is possible to suppress the growing of the printing apparatus in size.
Referring to
As depicted in
The maximum number of drivable nozzles varies with not only the drive voltage but also the number of times of driving the nozzles 11a per unit time (the drive frequency) or temperature and the like. Hence, the maximum number of drivable nozzles of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 may be changed according to the drive frequency or the temperature and the like.
Referring to
As depicted in a first example of power circuit arrangement of
The first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26 may be arranged as depicted in a second example of power circuit arrangement of
With respect to the printing apparatus according the sixth embodiment, by alternately arranging the first power circuit 21 to the third power circuit 23 and the fourth power circuit 24 to the sixth power circuit 26 which are different in the maximum number of drivable nozzles, it is possible, for example, to average the heat generated by the power circuits.
Referring to
As depicted in
If the same power circuit is allocated consecutively to a plurality of rows up to a predetermined number or more, then in the case of switching to another power circuit of the same applying voltage, density variation is liable to occur in the switched places. For example, after allocating the first power circuit 21 to three or more rows, if the third power circuit 23 is allocated to three or more rows, then the density variation is liable to occur in the border between the rows of the allocated first power circuit 21 and the rows of the allocated third power circuit 23.
In the seventh embodiment, if a plurality of power circuits of the same applying voltage are allocated to a plurality of rows of the nozzles 11a juxtaposed in one direction, then the plurality of power circuits of the same applying voltage are allocated to the plurality of rows such that either the identical power circuits are inconsecutive or the number of consecutive identical power circuits is equal to or less than a predetermined number (two, for example). By virtue of this, it is possible to suppress the density variation in the places of switching the power circuits in use.
If either the identical power circuits are inconsecutive or the number of consecutive identical power circuits is equal to or less than a predetermined number (two, for example) for a plurality of rows, then the density is averaged such that the density variation is less visible.
It is possible to carry out the processes described above also in a printing apparatus system including a printing apparatus and an external device. That is, as depicted in
In the respective embodiments described above, the FPGAs 71a and 72a are used. Instead of the FPGAs 71a and 72a, however, a processor such as a CPU or the like may be used. Further, the FPGAs 72a of the second substrates 72 may not be provided. In this case, the FPGA 71a sets the output voltages of the first power circuit 21 to the sixth power circuit 26, outputs the gate signals to the first control wire 33(1) to the nth control wire 33(n), and carries out the control of switching the switching circuit 27.
In the respective embodiments described above, the connector 11d is configured to be removable. Therefore, it is possible to select the head units 11 where the non-volatile memories 11e have stored the specification of the second substrates 72 such as the data according to the output voltages of the power circuits and the number of the power circuits, and to connect the same to the second substrates 72.
It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed above are exemplary in each and every aspect but not limitary. It is possible to combine the technical characteristics with one another set forth in the respective embodiments. The scope of each of the embodiments is intended to include all changes and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and a scope equivalent to the scope of the appended claims.
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2016-069116 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |
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