JP2006168021A

JP2006168021A - Ink jet recording method, ink jet recording apparatus and recording head using the same

Info

Publication number: JP2006168021A
Application number: JP2004360920A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hiroaki Shirakawa; 宏昭白川; Akihiro Yamanaka; 昭弘山中; Akira Goto; 顕後藤; Hiroyuki Maeda; 浩行前田
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2004-12-14
Filing date: 2004-12-14
Publication date: 2006-06-29

Abstract

【課題】インクジェット記録装置の信頼性の向上。
【解決手段】熱エネルギーによってインクを吐出するインクジェット記録装置において、ヒータ抵抗値が他と比べて大きいものは早期に不良化する可能性が高い。よって、記録ヘッドの出荷前検査時においてそのような記録素子を判別し、その情報を記録ヘッドに搭載された不揮発メモリに記憶させ、記録装置本体は記録ヘッドの装着時にその情報を読み込み、情報があればその記録素子の吐出周波数を低減し、その分補完関係にある記録素子の吐出周波数を増加することで、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の寿命を伸ばし、インクジェット記録装置全体として信頼性を向上することができる。
【選択図】図６To improve the reliability of an ink jet recording apparatus.
In an ink jet recording apparatus that discharges ink by thermal energy, a heater having a larger heater resistance value is more likely to deteriorate early. Therefore, such a recording element is determined at the time of inspection before the recording head is shipped, and the information is stored in a non-volatile memory mounted on the recording head, and the recording apparatus body reads the information when the recording head is mounted. If there is, the ejection frequency of the recording element is reduced, and the ejection frequency of the recording element that is in a complementary relationship is increased accordingly, thereby extending the life of the recording element that is likely to deteriorate early, and the entire inkjet recording apparatus Reliability can be improved.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

本発明は、記録ヘッドから被記録材に対しインクを吐出させて記録を行うインクジェット記録方法、記録装置および記録ヘッドに関する。 The present invention relates to an ink jet recording method, a recording apparatus, and a recording head that perform recording by discharging ink from a recording head onto a recording material.

プリンタ、複写機、ファクシミリ等において用いられる記録装置は、文字、画像などの記録情報に基づいて、紙やプラスチック薄板等の被記録材上に上記記録情報に応じてドットを形成して記録を行うものである。 Recording apparatuses used in printers, copiers, facsimiles, and the like perform recording by forming dots according to the recording information on recording materials such as paper and plastic thin plates based on recording information such as characters and images. Is.

このような記録装置は、その記録方式として、インクジェット方式、ワイヤドット方式、熱転写方式、レーザービームなどを用いた電子写真方式などが知られている。これらの方式のうち、インクジェット方式の記録装置（インクジェット記録装置）は、記録ヘッドの吐出ノズルからインク（記録液）滴を吐出し、これを被記録材に付着させて上記のドットを形成するものであり、用いる被記録材の種類がそれほど限定されず、また、記録動作が比較的高速であり、しかもその動作に伴う騒音も少ないなど種々の利点を有し、広く用いられている。 As such a recording apparatus, an inkjet method, a wire dot method, a thermal transfer method, an electrophotographic method using a laser beam, or the like is known as the recording method. Among these methods, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) ejects ink (recording liquid) droplets from the ejection nozzles of a recording head and attaches them to a recording material to form the above dots. The type of recording material to be used is not so limited, and the recording operation is relatively fast, and has a variety of advantages such as low noise accompanying the operation, and is widely used.

上記のようなインクジェット記録装置では、インク滴を吐出するノズルの集積密度をあげながら、１ドットあたりのインク吐出量を小さくすることで、更なる高解像度画像の記録を実現する。また、より銀塩写真に迫る画質を実現するために、基本となる４色インク（シアン、マゼンタ、イエロー、ブラック）の他に、これらの染料濃度を低くした淡インクを同時に記録する等の多彩な技術が展開されている。更には、この高画質化が進むにつれて懸念される記録スピードの低下も、記録素子の多数化や駆動周波数の向上、更には、記録ヘッドの往復の走査時に記録を行う両方向記録のような記録技術により良好な結果が得られている。 In the ink jet recording apparatus as described above, the recording density of nozzles that discharge ink droplets is increased, and the amount of ink discharged per dot is reduced to realize further high-resolution image recording. In addition to the basic four-color inks (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) in order to realize image quality that is closer to silver halide photography, various inks such as recording light inks with low dye concentrations at the same time are also available. Technology has been developed. Furthermore, a decrease in recording speed, which is a concern as this high image quality progresses, increases the number of recording elements, improves the driving frequency, and recording technology such as bidirectional recording that performs recording during reciprocal scanning of the recording head. Good results have been obtained.

このように多数の記録素子を含む記録ヘッドでは、使用頻度に応じて経時的に不良記録素子が発生する。多くの記録素子は正常であっても１つの記録素子が不良になっただけで、画像品位は劣化する。 In such a recording head including a large number of recording elements, defective recording elements are generated over time depending on the frequency of use. Even if many recording elements are normal, only one recording element becomes defective, and the image quality deteriorates.

特に、近年要求される写真調の画像においては実使用が困難になるほどである。この場合の対応方法として、様々な不良記録素子の検出方法や、その結果に応じての回復方法あるいは記録方法などが既に数多く提案されている。 In particular, it is difficult to actually use a photographic image that has recently been required. As a countermeasure method in this case, various detection methods for various defective recording elements and a recovery method or a recording method depending on the results have already been proposed.

不良記録素子を含む場合の記録時の対応方法を開示したものが知られている。等が挙げられる（特許文献１，特許文献２，特許文献３，特許文献４，特許文献５，特許文献６）。 There is known one which discloses a method for recording when a defective recording element is included. (Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, Patent Literature 3, Patent Literature 4, Patent Literature 5, Patent Literature 6).

それぞれ特徴的な記録方法であるが、いずれであっても不良記録素子の補完を行うことができる。 Each is a characteristic recording method, but any of them can complement defective recording elements.

さらにまた、前記不良記録素子の検出方法を開示したものがある（特許文献７，
特許文献８）。
特開平５−３０９８７４号公報特開昭６１−１２３５４５号公報特開平１１−９８８号公報特開平１１−７７９８６号公報特開平１０−２５８５２６号公報特開２００１−６３００８号公報特開平１１−１８８８５３号公報特開２００１−３１５３６３号公報 Furthermore, there is a disclosure of a method for detecting the defective recording element (Patent Document 7,
Patent Document 8).
JP-A-5-309874 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-123545 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-988 JP-A-11-77986 JP-A-10-258526 JP 2001-630008 A JP-A-11-188853 JP 2001-315363 A

しかしながら、前者においては、フォトセンサを用いて前記記録ヘッドのノズルからのインク吐出状態を検出する方法が、また後者においては、インクを吐出するためにエネルギーを供給する記録素子と、前記記録素子を駆動するための駆動素子と、の間の電圧変化をインクを介して検出する電極を用いて、前記記録ヘッドのノズルからのインク吐出状態を検出する方法が、それぞれ開示されている。 However, in the former, a method of detecting the ink ejection state from the nozzles of the recording head using a photosensor, and in the latter, a recording element that supplies energy to eject ink, and the recording element A method for detecting the ink discharge state from the nozzles of the recording head using an electrode that detects a change in voltage between the driving element for driving and the ink via ink is disclosed.

この他、全記録素子を使って階段状のパターンを印字し、フォトセンサを使ってパターンの抜けを判断する方法や、電荷を帯びたインク滴を電極の上に吐出させ、その時の前記電極の電位変化からインク吐出状態を検出する方法、等は公知である。 In addition to this, a staircase pattern is printed using all the recording elements, and a pattern sensor is used to determine the omission of the pattern, or a charged ink droplet is ejected onto the electrode, and the electrode at that time is discharged. A method for detecting the ink discharge state from the potential change is known.

このようにすることで前記不良記録素子を検出することは可能なので、前記先行例に挙げられているような記録方法によって画像の劣化を抑制することはできる。しかし、前記のような検出手段を設けるのは当然コストアップに繋がるので、一部の高級記録装置にしか採用されていないのが現状である。 By doing so, it is possible to detect the defective recording element, and therefore it is possible to suppress image deterioration by the recording method as mentioned in the preceding example. However, the provision of the detection means as described above naturally leads to an increase in cost, so that it is currently used only in some high-end recording apparatuses.

よって、前記のような検出手段が備わっていない記録装置においては、経時的に発生した不良記録素子に対しては何も処置を行っておらず、画像の劣化に繋がっていた。また、前記のような検出手段を備えている記録装置であっても、検出頻度が適正でなければ前記不良記録素子による画像劣化を抑制することができなかった。 Therefore, in the recording apparatus not provided with the detection means as described above, no measures are taken for the defective recording elements that have occurred over time, leading to image degradation. Further, even a recording apparatus provided with the detection means as described above cannot suppress image deterioration due to the defective recording element unless the detection frequency is appropriate.

また、前記記録ヘッドの出荷前検査時に不良記録素子を特定し、その情報を前記記録ヘッドに記憶させるという方法が前記特許文献６に開示されているが、あくまで出荷前検査時に不良である記録素子情報であり、経時的に発生した不良に関しては前記のような検出手段を設けるしかなかった。 Further, although a method of specifying a defective recording element at the time of inspection before shipment of the recording head and storing the information in the recording head is disclosed in the Patent Document 6, the recording element which is defective at the time of inspection before shipment is only used. It is information, and there is no choice but to provide the detection means as described above for defects that have occurred over time.

したがって、インクジェット記録装置においては、信頼性の観点から、経時的に発生する前記不良記録素子を可能な限り抑制することが常に求められていると言える。 Therefore, it can be said that the inkjet recording apparatus is always required to suppress the defective recording elements that occur with time as much as possible from the viewpoint of reliability.

本発明は上記問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、コストアップに繋がる前記不良記録素子検出手段を設けることなく、信頼性を向上させたインクジェット記録装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus with improved reliability without providing the defective recording element detecting means that leads to an increase in cost.

上記目的を達成するため、本出願に係る第１の発明は、複数の記録素子を有する記録ヘッドから吐出されるインクにより記録を行うインクジェット記録装置であって、前記記録素子の中で早期に不良化する可能性が高いものを特定する手段と、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の情報を記憶する手段と、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の記録データ量を削減し、削減した記録データを他の記録素子に割り振る記録手段と、を備えることを特徴としている。 In order to achieve the above object, a first invention according to the present application is an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording with ink ejected from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, and is an early failure among the recording elements. Means for identifying what is likely to become defective, means for storing information on a recording element that is likely to be defective early, and recording data amount of the recording element that is likely to be defective early And recording means for allocating the reduced recording data to other recording elements.

また、本出願に係る第２の発明は、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を特定する手段とは、熱エネルギーを利用してインクを吐出する記録ヘッドにおいて、前記記録
ヘッドの出荷前検査において各記録素子のヒータ抵抗値を測定し、前記抵抗値が他と比べて大きい記録素子を早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子と特定する手段であることを特徴としている。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the means for identifying a recording element that is likely to deteriorate early is a recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy. The heater resistance value of each recording element is measured in the pre-inspection, and the recording element having a large resistance value compared to the other is specified as a recording element that is highly likely to be defective early.

また、本出願に係る第３の発明は、前記記憶手段は、前記記録ヘッド内に搭載されていることを特徴としている。 The third invention according to the present application is characterized in that the storage means is mounted in the recording head.

また、本出願に係る第４の発明は、前記記録手段とは、記録データを前記記録ヘッドの複数回の主走査によって記録していくマルチパス印字において、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子から削減した記録データを、補完関係にある記録素子に割り振ることで記録を完成させる手段であることを特徴としている。 In addition, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the recording means is highly likely to deteriorate early in multi-pass printing in which recording data is recorded by a plurality of main scans of the recording head. It is a means for completing the recording by allocating the recording data reduced from the recording elements to the recording elements having a complementary relationship.

以上説明したように、複数の記録素子を有する記録ヘッドから吐出されるインクにより記録を行うインクジェット記録装置であって、前記記録ヘッドの出荷前検査時に測定するヒータ抵抗値から早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を特定し、その情報を前記記録ヘッドに搭載されている不揮発メモリに記憶し、記録装置本体が前記情報を読み込むことで前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の記録データ量を削減し、削減した記録データを他の記録素子に割り振るという記録方法を講じることで、記録装置に特別な検出手段を設けることなく、記録素子の不良化に起因する画像劣化の発生が抑制された、信頼性の高いインクジェット記録装置を提供することができる。 As described above, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording with ink ejected from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, and can be quickly deteriorated from a heater resistance value measured during a pre-shipment inspection of the recording head. Recording elements that are highly likely to become defective at an early stage when the information is stored in a non-volatile memory mounted on the recording head and the recording apparatus body reads the information. By adopting a recording method of reducing the amount of data and allocating the reduced recording data to other recording elements, image degradation due to defective recording elements can be achieved without providing special detection means in the recording apparatus. It is possible to provide a highly reliable inkjet recording apparatus that is suppressed.

以下本発明を実施するための最良の形態を、実施例により詳しく説明する。 Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

以下、添付図面を参照してこの発明の実施形態を説明する。本発明はこれらの実施形態のみに限らず、これらをさらに組み合わせたり、この特許請求の範囲に記載された本発明の概念に包含されるあらゆる変更や修正が可能であり、したがって本発明の精神に帰属する他の技術にも当然応用することができる。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and these may be further combined, or any change or modification included in the concept of the present invention described in the claims, and therefore, within the spirit of the present invention. Of course, it can be applied to other technologies to which it belongs.

本実施例におけるインクジェット記録装置の機構部分の外観を図４に示し、このインクジェット記録装置に用いられるヘッドカートリッジおよびインクタンクの外観を図５に示し、この図５に示されたヘッドカートリッジの反対側の外観を図６に示す。すなわち、本実施例におけるインクジェット記録装置のシャシー１０は、所定の剛性を有する複数の板状金属部材により構成され、このインクジェット記録装置の骨格をなす。シャシー１０には、図示しないシート状の被記録材をインクジェット記録装置の内部へと自動的に給送する媒体給送部１１と、この媒体給送部１１から１枚ずつ給送される被記録材を所望の記録位置へ導くと共にこの記録位置から媒体排出部１２へと被記録材を導く媒体搬送部１３と、記録位置に搬送された被記録材に所定の記録動作を行う記録部と、この記録部の吐出回復処理を行うヘッド回復部１４とが組み付けられている。 The external appearance of the mechanism part of the ink jet recording apparatus in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 4, the external appearance of the head cartridge and the ink tank used in this ink jet recording apparatus is shown in FIG. 5, and the opposite side of the head cartridge shown in FIG. The external appearance is shown in FIG. That is, the chassis 10 of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of plate-shaped metal members having a predetermined rigidity, and forms the skeleton of the ink jet recording apparatus. The chassis 10 includes a medium feeding unit 11 that automatically feeds a sheet-like recording material (not shown) into the ink jet recording apparatus, and a recording target that is fed one by one from the medium feeding unit 11. A medium transport unit 13 that guides the recording material to a desired recording position and guides the recording material from the recording position to the medium discharge unit 12; a recording unit that performs a predetermined recording operation on the recording material transported to the recording position; A head recovery unit 14 that performs discharge recovery processing of the recording unit is assembled.

記録部は、キャリッジ軸１５に沿って走査移動可能に支持されたキャリッジ１６と、このキャリッジ１６にヘッドセットレバー１７を介して着脱可能に搭載されるヘッドカートリッジ１８とを具えている。 The recording unit includes a carriage 16 supported so as to be movable along the carriage shaft 15, and a head cartridge 18 that is detachably mounted on the carriage 16 via a head set lever 17.

ヘッドカートリッジ１８が搭載されるキャリッジ１６には、このヘッドカートリッジ１８の記録ヘッド１９をキャリッジ１６上の所定の装着位置に位置決めするためのキャリッジカバー２０と、ヘッドカートリッジ１８のタンクホルダ２１と係合して記録ヘッド１９を所定の装着位置に位置決めするように押圧する前述のヘッドセットレバー１７とが設け
られている。このヘッドセットレバー１７は、キャリッジ１６に対するヘッドカートリッジ１８の着脱手段の一部として機能し、キャリッジ１６の上部に設けられた図示しないヘッドセットレバー軸に対して回動可能に取り付けられ、またヘッドカートリッジ１８との係合部には、ばね付勢される図示しないヘッドセットプレートが設けられ、このヘッドセットプレートのばね力によって記録ヘッド１９を所定の装着位置に押圧しながらヘッドカートリッジ１８をキャリッジ１６に装着するようになっている。つまり、本実施例における記録ヘッド１９は、キャリッジ１６に対して着脱可能に搭載される、いわゆるカートリッジ方式を採用している。 The carriage 16 on which the head cartridge 18 is mounted is engaged with a carriage cover 20 for positioning the recording head 19 of the head cartridge 18 at a predetermined mounting position on the carriage 16 and a tank holder 21 of the head cartridge 18. The above-described head set lever 17 is provided to press the recording head 19 so as to be positioned at a predetermined mounting position. The head set lever 17 functions as a part of a means for attaching / detaching the head cartridge 18 to / from the carriage 16 and is attached to a head set lever shaft (not shown) provided on the upper portion of the carriage 16 so as to be rotatable. A headset plate (not shown) that is spring-biased is provided in the engaging portion with the head 18, and the head cartridge 18 is moved to the carriage 16 while the recording head 19 is pressed to a predetermined mounting position by the spring force of the headset plate. It comes to wear. That is, the recording head 19 in this embodiment employs a so-called cartridge system that is detachably mounted on the carriage 16.

記録ヘッド１９に対するキャリッジ１６の別の係合部には、コンタクトフレキシブルプリントケーブル（以下、コンタクトＦＰＣと称す）２２の一端部が連結され、このコンタクトＦＰＣ２２の一端部に形成された図示しないコンタクト部と、記録ヘッド１９に設けられた外部信号入力端子であるコンタクト部２３とが電気的に接触し、記録のための各種情報の授受や記録ヘッド１９への電力の供給などを行い得るようになっている。 One end portion of a contact flexible printed cable (hereinafter referred to as a contact FPC) 22 is connected to another engagement portion of the carriage 16 with respect to the recording head 19, and a contact portion (not shown) formed at one end portion of the contact FPC 22 The contact portion 23, which is an external signal input terminal provided in the recording head 19, is in electrical contact, and can exchange various information for recording and supply power to the recording head 19. Yes.

コンタクトＦＰＣ２２のコンタクト部とキャリッジ１６との間には、図示しないゴムなどの弾性部材が設けられ、この弾性部材の弾性力とヘッドセットプレートによる押圧力とによって、コンタクトＦＰＣ２２のコンタクト部と記録ヘッド１９のコンタクト部２３との確実な接触を可能とするようになっている。コンタクトＦＰＣ２２の他端部は、キャリッジ１６の背面に搭載された図示しない配線基板に接続されている。 An elastic member such as rubber (not shown) is provided between the contact portion of the contact FPC 22 and the carriage 16, and the contact portion of the contact FPC 22 and the recording head 19 are set by the elastic force of the elastic member and the pressing force by the headset plate. The contact portion 23 can be reliably contacted. The other end of the contact FPC 22 is connected to a wiring board (not shown) mounted on the back surface of the carriage 16.

本実施例におけるヘッドカートリッジ１８は、インクを貯留するインクタンク２４が着脱自在に装着される前述のタンクホルダ２１と、インクタンク２４から供給されるインクを記録情報に応じて記録ヘッド１９の吐出口２５（図７参照）から吐出させる前述の記録ヘッド１９とを有し、キャリッジ１６に対して着脱可能に搭載される、いわゆるカートリッジ方式を採用している。 The head cartridge 18 in this embodiment includes the above-described tank holder 21 to which an ink tank 24 for storing ink is detachably mounted, and an ejection port of the recording head 19 that supplies ink supplied from the ink tank 24 according to recording information. A so-called cartridge system is employed, which has the above-described recording head 19 for discharging from 25 (see FIG. 7) and is detachably mounted on the carriage 16.

本実施例では多階調の明度を持った高画質なカラー記録を可能とするため、例えば黒色（Ｂｋ），淡シアン色（ＬＣ），淡マゼンタ色（ＬＭ），シアン色（Ｃ），マゼンタ色（Ｍ）および黄色（Ｙ）の各色インクが独立した６個のインクタンク２４を使用可能としている。各インクタンク２４には、ヘッドカードリッジ１８のタンクホルダ２１に対して係止し得る弾性変形可能な取り外し用レバー２６が設けられ、この取り外し用レバー２６を操作することにより、図５に示すように、タンクホルダ２１に対してインクタンク２４をそれぞれ取り外し可能としている。つまり、これら取り外し用レバー２６は、ヘッドカートリッジ１８のタンクホルダ２１に対するインクタンク２４の着脱手段の一部として機能する。 In this embodiment, in order to enable high-quality color recording with multi-tone brightness, for example, black (Bk), light cyan (LC), light magenta (LM), cyan (C), magenta Six ink tanks 24 can be used in which the color (M) and yellow (Y) color inks are independent. Each ink tank 24 is provided with an elastically deformable detachable lever 26 that can be locked with respect to the tank holder 21 of the head card ridge 18. By operating the detachable lever 26, as shown in FIG. In addition, the ink tank 24 can be detached from the tank holder 21. That is, these detaching levers 26 function as part of a means for attaching / detaching the ink tank 24 to / from the tank holder 21 of the head cartridge 18.

記録ヘッド１９は、後述するプリント素子基板２７，電気配線基板２８，前述のタンクホルダ２１などから構成されている。本実施例における記録ヘッド１９の記録素子基板２７の部分の破断構造を図７に示し、その断面構造を図８に示す。本実施例における記録素子基板２７は、厚さが０．５ｍｍ〜１ｍｍのシリコン基板の上に成膜技術を用いて後述する吐出エネルギー発生部，共通インク室，インク路，吐出口２５などを形成したものである。すなわち、プリント素子基板２７には、これを貫通する長孔状のインク供給口２９が形成されている。 The recording head 19 includes a print element substrate 27, an electric wiring substrate 28, the tank holder 21 described above, and the like, which will be described later. FIG. 7 shows a fracture structure of the recording element substrate 27 of the recording head 19 in this embodiment, and FIG. 8 shows a sectional structure thereof. In the present embodiment, the recording element substrate 27 is formed on a silicon substrate having a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm with a discharge energy generating section, a common ink chamber, an ink path, a discharge port 25 and the like, which will be described later, using a film forming technique. It is a thing. In other words, the print element substrate 27 is formed with a long hole ink supply port 29 penetrating therethrough.

このインク供給口２９の両側には、被記録材の搬送方向、つまりインク供給口２９の長手方向に沿って所定間隔で２列に並ぶ複数（本実施例では片側１２８個）の電気熱変換体３０が相互に半ピッチずらした状態で形成され、それぞれ吐出エネルギー発生部を構成している。 On both sides of the ink supply port 29, a plurality of (128 in this embodiment) electrothermal transducers arranged in two rows at predetermined intervals along the recording material conveyance direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the ink supply port 29. 30 are formed in a state shifted from each other by a half pitch, and each constitutes a discharge energy generating portion.

記録素子基板２７には、これら電気熱変換体３０の他、電気熱変換体３０と記録装置本体側との電気的接続を行うための電極端子３１およびアルミニウムなどで形成される図示しない電気配線などが成膜技術によって形成されている。 In addition to the electrothermal transducer 30, the recording element substrate 27 includes an electrode terminal 31 for electrical connection between the electrothermal transducer 30 and the recording apparatus main body, and electrical wiring (not shown) formed of aluminum or the like. Is formed by a film forming technique.

記録素子基板２７に形成された電極端子３１に対して連結される電気配線基板２８は、記録素子基板２７にインクを吐出するための電気信号を印加するためのものであり、記録素子基板２７に対応する電気配線と、この電気配線端部に位置し、記録装置本体からの電気信号を受け取るための前述のコンタクト部２３とを有しており、このコンタクト部２３はタンクホルダ２１の背面側に位置決め固定されている。この電気配線基板２８を介して図示しない駆動ＩＣから電気熱変換体３０に対する駆動信号が与えられ、同時に駆動電力がこの電気熱変換体３０に供給される。 The electrical wiring board 28 connected to the electrode terminal 31 formed on the recording element substrate 27 is for applying an electric signal for ejecting ink to the recording element substrate 27. It has a corresponding electrical wiring and the above-mentioned contact portion 23 for receiving an electrical signal from the recording apparatus main body, which is located at the end of this electrical wiring, and this contact portion 23 is on the back side of the tank holder 21. Positioning is fixed. A drive signal for the electrothermal transducer 30 is given from a drive IC (not shown) via the electrical wiring board 28, and at the same time, drive power is supplied to the electrothermal transducer 30.

なお、インクタンク２４を着脱可能に保持するタンクホルダ２１には、インクタンク２４から記録素子基板２７のインク供給口２９に亙るインク流路が形成されている。 An ink flow path extending from the ink tank 24 to the ink supply port 29 of the recording element substrate 27 is formed in the tank holder 21 that detachably holds the ink tank 24.

記録素子基板２７上には、インク供給口２９に連通する共通インク室３２を介して電気熱変換体３０とそれぞれ正対する複数の吐出ノズル２５を有する上板部材３３が形成される。 On the recording element substrate 27, an upper plate member 33 having a plurality of ejection nozzles 25 respectively facing the electrothermal converter 30 through a common ink chamber 32 communicating with the ink supply port 29 is formed.

すなわち、この上板部材３３と記録素子基板２７との間には、個々の吐出ノズル２５と共通インク室３２とに連通するインク路３４が形成され、隣接するインク路３４の間には仕切り壁３５が形成される。 That is, an ink path 34 communicating with each discharge nozzle 25 and the common ink chamber 32 is formed between the upper plate member 33 and the recording element substrate 27, and a partition wall is formed between the adjacent ink paths 34. 35 is formed.

これら共通インク室３２，インク路３４および仕切り壁３５などは、吐出ノズル２５と同様にフォトリソグラフィ技術により上板部材３３と共に形成される。 The common ink chamber 32, the ink path 34, the partition wall 35, and the like are formed together with the upper plate member 33 by the photolithography technique in the same manner as the discharge nozzle 25.

インク供給口２９から各インク路３４内に供給される液体は、対応するインク路３４に臨む電気熱変換体３０に駆動信号が与えられることにより、電気熱変換体３０の発熱に伴って沸騰し、これにより発生する気泡の圧力によって吐出ノズル２５から吐出される。 The liquid supplied into each ink path 34 from the ink supply port 29 boils as the electrothermal converter 30 generates heat, when a drive signal is given to the electrothermal converter 30 facing the corresponding ink path 34. Then, the air is discharged from the discharge nozzle 25 by the pressure of the bubbles generated thereby.

この場合、液室３２内で発生する気泡は、その成長に伴って吐出ノズル２５から大気連通状態となる。 In this case, bubbles generated in the liquid chamber 32 are brought into an atmospheric communication state from the discharge nozzle 25 as they grow.

図９は、インクジェット記録装置の制御系の構成を示すものである。 FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the control system of the ink jet recording apparatus.

ＣＰＵ１００は、ホスト装置から印刷情報を受け取ると、記録装置各部の制御やデータ処理などを実行する。ＲＯＭ１０１には、各処理手順に関する処理プログラムが記憶され、ＲＡＭ１０２はその処理手順実行の際のワークエリアなどとして用いられる。 When receiving print information from the host device, the CPU 100 executes control of each part of the recording device, data processing, and the like. The ROM 101 stores a processing program related to each processing procedure, and the RAM 102 is used as a work area for executing the processing procedure.

すなわち、ＣＰＵ１００は、ＲＯＭ１０１に記憶されている制御プログラムに基づき、ホスト装置から受信した記録情報をＲＡＭ１０２などの周辺ユニットを用いて処理し、記録データに変換するなどの処理を実行する。 That is, the CPU 100 executes processing such as processing the recording information received from the host device using a peripheral unit such as the RAM 102 based on a control program stored in the ROM 101, and converting it into recording data.

またＣＰＵ１００は、上記した電気熱変換体の駆動データすなわち印字データ及び駆動制御信号をヘッドドライバ１０３に出力する。ヘッドドライバ１０３は、入力された駆動データに基づいて記録ヘッド１９の電気熱変換体を駆動する。 In addition, the CPU 100 outputs drive data, that is, print data and drive control signals of the electrothermal transducer to the head driver 103. The head driver 103 drives the electrothermal transducer of the recording head 19 based on the input drive data.

またＣＰＵ１００は、キャリッジ１６を往復運動させるためのキャリッジ駆動モータ２０５及び被記録材を搬送するための用紙搬送（ＰＦ）モータ１０４を、モータドライバ１０５、１０６を介してそれぞれ制御する。ヘッドドライバ１０３は、上記エンコーダ２０
６から吐出タイミング信号及びキャリッジの位置情報が入力される。 The CPU 100 controls a carriage drive motor 205 for reciprocating the carriage 16 and a paper transport (PF) motor 104 for transporting a recording material via motor drivers 105 and 106, respectively. The head driver 103 includes the encoder 20
6, a discharge timing signal and carriage position information are input.

（実施例）
図１及び図２は本出願の発明の特徴を最もよく表す図面である。熱エネルギーを利用してインクを吐出する記録ヘッドは、出荷前検査において各記録素子のヒータ抵抗値を測定して規格値内に入っているかをチェックするが、図１はそのような検査結果の１例を示したものである。 (Example)
1 and 2 are drawings that best represent the features of the invention of the present application. A recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy measures the heater resistance value of each recording element in a pre-shipment inspection to check whether it is within a standard value. FIG. An example is shown.

横軸が記録素子の番号、縦軸がそれぞれのヒータ抵抗値で、記録素子を１２８０個もつ記録ヘッドである。これを見ると、矢印で示したように１０４２番と１１８２番の記録素子のヒータ抵抗値が、他の記録素子のヒータ抵抗値のばらつき範囲からはずれて大きいことが分かる。 The horizontal axis is the recording element number, the vertical axis is the heater resistance value, and the recording head has 1280 recording elements. From this, it can be seen that the heater resistance values of the printing elements Nos. 1042 and 1182 deviate from the variation range of the heater resistance values of the other printing elements as indicated by arrows.

次に、図２はこの記録ヘッドを印字耐久にかけたときの結果を示したものである。単位は吐出発数である。印字耐久には一般的な画像を使用し、およそ０．０２５×１０^８発ごとに記録素子の状態をチェックするパターンを印字した。 Next, FIG. 2 shows the results when the recording head is subjected to printing durability. The unit is the number of ejections. For printing durability, a general image was used, and a pattern for checking the state of the recording element was printed approximately every 0.025 × 10 ⁸ shots.

これを見ると、ほとんどの記録素子が耐久を終了した３．５×１０^８発まで正常吐出を続けたのに対し、１０４２番記録素子は０．５×１０^８発で、１１８２番記録素子は０．９×１０^８発で、それぞれ断線による吐出不良を生じたことが分かる。すなわち、図１、２から、ヒータ抵抗値が他と比べて大きい記録素子は、他と比べて早期に不良化する可能性が高いことが分かる。原因について、このような記録素子はヒータの構造または組成が局所的に異常を来し、残った正常部に集中して電流が流れるために抵抗値が高く、かつ早期断線するものと推定されている。このようにヒータ抵抗値の測定によって早期に不良化する可能性がある記録素子を特定できるので、あらかじめ不良化を遅らせる対策をとることができる。図３は、ある記録素子のヒータ抵抗値と、隣り合う若い番号の記録素子のヒータ抵抗値との差が、その記録素子のヒータ抵抗値の何％に相当するかを示したものである。すなわち、ｎ番記録素子のヒータ抵抗値をＲｎとすると、｛（Ｒｎ−Ｒｎ−１）／Ｒｎ｝ｘ１００をプロットしたものである。ただし、この例においては、偶数番同士、奇数番同士の記録素子が隣り合う構造になっている。これを見ると、早期断線をした１０４２番記録素子は４％、１１８２番記録素子は２．９％と、他の断線をしなかった記録素子よりも高い値となっていることが分かる。よってこのような方法により早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を切り分けることができると考えられ、少なくとも２．９％以上の記録素子を早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子と判断するものとする。また好ましくは、マージンを確保するため、２．４％以上の記録素子を早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子と判断するものとする。ここで２．４％とはこの例での３σの値であり、３σ以下の記録素子は断線しておらず、かつ３σを外れる記録素子の数はわずかなので全てを対策対象としても大きな負荷にならないからである。そして、対策をとるため、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の番号を、記録ヘッドに搭載されているＥＥＰＲＯＭ等の不揮発メモリに記憶させておく。 As can be seen from the figure, most of the printing elements continued normal discharge until 3.5 × 10 ⁸ shots where durability was completed, whereas the 1042 printing element was 0.5 × 10 ⁸ shots, and the 1182th printing element was It can be seen that 0.9 × 10 ⁸ shots caused ejection failures due to disconnection. That is, it can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that a recording element having a larger heater resistance value is more likely to be defective earlier than others. Regarding the cause, it is estimated that such a recording element has a locally abnormal structure or composition of the heater, and has a high resistance value due to current flowing concentrated in the remaining normal part, and it is presumed to break early. Yes. As described above, since the recording element that may be defective at an early stage can be identified by measuring the heater resistance value, it is possible to take measures to delay the defectiveness in advance. FIG. 3 shows what percentage of the heater resistance value of a printing element corresponds to the difference between the heater resistance value of a printing element and the heater resistance value of an adjacent young number printing element. That is, {(Rn−Rn−1) / Rn} × 100 is plotted when the heater resistance value of the nth recording element is Rn. However, in this example, even-numbered and odd-numbered recording elements are adjacent to each other. From this, it can be seen that the 1042 recording element with early disconnection is 4% and the 1182 recording element is 2.9%, which is higher than the other recording elements without disconnection. Therefore, it is considered that a recording element having a high possibility of deteriorating at an early stage can be separated by such a method, and at least 2.9% or more of the recording elements are determined as a recording element having a high possibility of deteriorating at an early stage. Shall. Further, preferably, in order to secure a margin, it is determined that a recording element of 2.4% or more is highly likely to be deteriorated at an early stage. Here, 2.4% is the value of 3σ in this example, the recording elements of 3σ or less are not disconnected, and the number of recording elements that deviate from 3σ is small, so that even if all the countermeasures are taken as a countermeasure, the load is large. Because it will not be. In order to take countermeasures, the number of the recording element that is likely to be defective early is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM mounted on the recording head.

図４は、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子が実際に早期不良化することを抑制するための記録方法を説明するものである。簡単のため、記録素子数は１０個であるとし、印字方法は２パス印字、すなわち画像の所定領域を記録ヘッドの２回の主走査によって記録していく印字方法であるとした。２パス印字なので、０〜４番記録素子と５〜９番記録素子が補完関係にある。すなわち、前記画像の所定領域は、まず０〜４番記録素子を使ってある程度記録され、５記録素子分記録メディアが副走査方向に搬送されたあと、残りの部分が５〜９番記録素子を使って記録される。図中各マス目が解像度に相当し、横方向に記録ヘッドを走査したときに黒く塗られたマス目にきたときがインク吐出タイミングである。記録ヘッドの装着時に記録装置本体は前記記録ヘッドの不揮発メモリを読み込み
、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子が含まれるかどうかを判断し、それぞれ次のような記録方法を適用する。図４（ａ）は、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を含まない場合の基本的な記録方法である。記録素子に差異はないので、このように各記録素子の吐出頻度すなわち吐出周波数が均等になるようになっている。それに対し、図４（ｂ）、（ｃ）は、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を含む場合で、６番記録素子がそれに相当するものとする。この６番記録素子の吐出周波数を低減すれば、該記録素子の寿命を長くすることができる。（ｂ）は吐出周波数を１／２にした場合、（ｃ）は１／４にした場合で、後者の方がより寿命が長いことになる。そして、２パス印字時に補完関係にあるのは１番記録素子であり、６番記録素子の吐出周波数を低減させた分を補うように１番記録素子の吐出周波数を増加してやれば、データの欠落のない記録を行うことができる。先行例と大きく違う点は、先行例では不良記録素子が全く吐出しないために該記録素子の記録データがすべて他の補完記録素子の負荷となり、該補完記録素子の寿命を大きく縮めることとなるのに対し、本記録方法では不良化する前の記録素子にもある程度の吐出を行わせることで、補完記録素子の負荷を低減し、全体として長寿妙なインクジェット記録方法、及びそれを用いたインクジェット記録装置と記録ヘッドを提供できる点である。なお、この例においてインク吐出タイミングは格子状の均一なパターンとしたがもちろんこの限りではなく、ランダムにばらまかれていたり、記録素子列方向に傾斜がかかったりしていても構わない。また、パス数によっては補完記録素子が複数存在するが、前記早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の記録データの割り振りを、１箇所にまとめたり均等に割り振ったりランダムに割り振ったり、どのようにしても構わない。 FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a recording method for preventing the recording element that has a high possibility of deteriorating at an early stage from actually deteriorating early. For simplicity, it is assumed that the number of recording elements is 10, and the printing method is two-pass printing, that is, a printing method in which a predetermined area of an image is recorded by two main scans of the recording head. Since it is 2-pass printing, the 0th to 4th printing elements and the 5th to 9th printing elements are in a complementary relationship. That is, the predetermined area of the image is first recorded to some extent using the 0th to 4th recording elements, and after the recording medium for 5 recording elements is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction, the remaining portion is the 5th to 9th recording elements. It is recorded using. In the figure, each square corresponds to the resolution, and the ink ejection timing is when the black square is reached when the recording head is scanned in the horizontal direction. When the recording head is mounted, the main body of the recording apparatus reads the non-volatile memory of the recording head, determines whether or not a recording element that has a high possibility of being deteriorated at an early stage is included, and applies the following recording method, respectively. FIG. 4A shows a basic recording method in the case of not including a recording element that is likely to deteriorate early. Since there is no difference in the printing elements, the ejection frequency of each printing element, that is, the ejection frequency is made uniform in this way. On the other hand, FIGS. 4B and 4C show a case where a recording element that has a high possibility of deteriorating at an early stage is included, and the sixth recording element corresponds to that. If the ejection frequency of the sixth recording element is reduced, the life of the recording element can be extended. (B) shows a case where the discharge frequency is halved, and (c) shows a case where it is ¼, and the latter has a longer life. The first recording element is in a complementary relationship during two-pass printing. If the ejection frequency of the first recording element is increased so as to compensate for the reduced ejection frequency of the sixth recording element, data loss will occur. Can be recorded. The major difference from the previous example is that the defective recording element does not discharge at all in the previous example, so all the recording data of the recording element becomes a load on the other complementary recording elements, and the life of the complementary recording elements is greatly shortened. On the other hand, in this recording method, a certain amount of ejection is also performed on the recording element before failure, thereby reducing the load on the complementary recording element, and the overall long-life inkjet recording method, and inkjet recording using the same An apparatus and a recording head can be provided. In this example, the ink discharge timing is a grid-like uniform pattern. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ink discharge timing may be randomly distributed or may be inclined in the recording element array direction. Depending on the number of passes, there are a plurality of complementary recording elements, but the recording data allocation of the recording elements that are highly likely to deteriorate at an early stage is arranged in one place, evenly or randomly. It doesn't matter.

本発明の実施例における、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を特定する手段の、具体的な例を示した図The figure which showed the specific example of the means to identify the recording element with the high possibility of becoming defective early in the Example of this invention. 本発明の実施例における、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を特定する手段によって特定された記録素子が、印字耐久において他の記録素子と比べて早期に不良化したことを示した図The figure which showed that the recording element identified by the means which pinpoints the recording element with high possibility of becoming early defect in the Example of this invention deteriorated early compared with the other recording element in printing durability. 本発明の実施例における、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子を特定する手段の、具体的な例を示した図The figure which showed the specific example of the means to identify the recording element with the high possibility of becoming defective early in the Example of this invention. 本発明の実施例における、早期に不良化する可能性が高い記録素子の吐出周波数を低減し、その分他の記録素子の吐出周波数を増加する方法を示した図The figure which showed the method in the Example of this invention which reduces the discharge frequency of the printing element with high possibility of becoming a defect early, and increases the discharge frequency of another printing element by that much 本発明による画像形成装置をインクジェットプリンタに応用した一実施例の概略構造を表す斜視図The perspective view showing the schematic structure of one Example which applied the image forming apparatus by this invention to the inkjet printer 本発明によるヘッドカートリッジを図５に示すインクジェットプリンタに適用した一実施例の外観をインクタンクと共に表す斜視図FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment in which the head cartridge according to the present invention is applied to the ink jet printer shown in FIG. 5 together with an ink tank. 図６に示したヘッドカートリッジの外観を表す斜視図The perspective view showing the external appearance of the head cartridge shown in FIG. 本発明による液体吐出ヘッドを図７に示すヘッドカートリッジに組み込んだ一実施例におけるプリント素子基板の外観を破断状態で表す斜視図FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printed element substrate in a broken state in an embodiment in which the liquid discharge head according to the present invention is incorporated in the head cartridge shown in FIG. 図８に示したプリントヘッドの主要部の断面図Sectional view of the main part of the print head shown in FIG. インクジュット記録装置の制御系の構成の従来例を説明する図The figure explaining the prior art example of the structure of the control system of an ink jet recording apparatus

Explanation of symbols

１０シャシー
１１媒体給送部
１２媒体排出部
１３媒体搬送部
１４ヘッド回復部
１５キャリッジ軸
１６キャリッジ
１７ヘッドセットレバー
１８ヘッドカートリッジ
１９プリントヘッド
２０キャリッジカバー
２１タンクホルダ
２２コンタクトフレキシブルプリントケーブル（コンタクトＦＰＣ）
２３コンタクト部
２４インクタンク
２５吐出口
２６取り外し用レバー
２７プリント素子基板
２８電気配線基板
２９インク供給口
３０電気熱変換体
３１電極端子
３２共通インク室
３３上板部材
３４インク路
３５仕切り壁 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Chassis 11 Medium feeding part 12 Medium discharge part 13 Medium conveyance part 14 Head recovery part 15 Carriage shaft 16 Carriage 17 Head set lever 18 Head cartridge 19 Print head 20 Carriage cover 21 Tank holder 22 Contact flexible print cable (contact FPC)
23 Contact portion 24 Ink tank 25 Discharge port 26 Lever 27 Removal element 27 Print element substrate 28 Electric wiring board 29 Ink supply port 30 Electrothermal converter 31 Electrode terminal 32 Common ink chamber 33 Upper plate member 34 Ink path 35 Partition wall

Claims

An inkjet recording method for recording with ink ejected from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, the step of identifying one of the recording elements that is likely to be defective early, and the early failure A process of storing information on a printing element that is likely to become defective, and a recording that reduces the ejection frequency of the printing element that is likely to become defective early and increases the ejection frequency of the printing element that complements the printing element And an ink jet recording method.

The step of identifying a recording element that has a high possibility of being deteriorated at an early stage is to measure the heater resistance value of each recording element of the recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and the heater resistance value is different from the others. 2. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording method is a means for specifying a recording element having a larger size as a recording element having a high possibility of deteriorating early.

The recording element having a larger heater resistance value than the other is preferably such that a difference in heater resistance value between the recording element and an adjacent recording element is at least 2.9% or more of the heater resistance value of the recording element. The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is 2.4% or more.

The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the heater resistance value of each recording element is measured in a pre-shipment inspection of the recording head.

The inkjet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is mounted in the recording head.

In the multi-pass printing in which a predetermined area of an image is recorded by a plurality of main scans of the recording head, the recording step reduces the ejection frequency of the recording element that is likely to be deteriorated at an early stage. 6. The ink jet recording method according to claim 1, wherein the ink jet recording method is a means for completing the recording by increasing the ejection frequency of the recording elements having a complementary relationship.

An ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording with ink ejected from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, the means for identifying one of the recording elements that is likely to deteriorate early, and the early failure Means for storing information on a printing element that is likely to become defective, and recording that reduces the ejection frequency of the printing element that is likely to become defective early and increases the ejection frequency of the printing element that complements the printing element And an ink jet recording apparatus.

The means for identifying a recording element that has a high possibility of being deteriorated at an early stage is to measure the heater resistance value of each recording element of the recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and the heater resistance value is different from the others. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is a means for identifying a recording element having a larger size as a recording element having a high possibility of being deteriorated at an early stage.

The recording element having a larger heater resistance value than the other is preferably such that a difference in heater resistance value between the recording element and an adjacent recording element is at least 2.9% or more of the heater resistance value of the recording element. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the ratio is 2.4% or more.

The inkjet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the heater resistance value of each recording element is measured in a pre-shipment inspection of the recording head.

The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit is mounted in the recording head.

In the multi-pass printing in which a predetermined area of an image is recorded by a plurality of main scans of the recording head, the recording means reduces the ejection frequency of the recording element that is likely to deteriorate early, and The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is a unit that completes recording by increasing an ejection frequency of a recording element in a complementary relationship.

Means for identifying a recording head mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording with ink ejected from a recording head having a plurality of recording elements, which is likely to deteriorate early among the recording elements And means for storing information on a printing element that is highly likely to fail early, and a recording element that complements the printing element by reducing the ejection frequency of the printing element that is likely to fail early. An ink jet recording head comprising: a recording unit that increases an ejection frequency.

The means for identifying a recording element that has a high possibility of being deteriorated at an early stage is to measure the heater resistance value of each recording element of the recording head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and the heater resistance value is different from the others. The inkjet recording head according to claim 13, wherein the inkjet recording head is a unit that identifies a recording element that is larger than the recording element that is likely to be defective at an early stage.

The recording element having a larger heater resistance value than the other is preferably such that a difference in heater resistance value between the recording element and an adjacent recording element is at least 2.9% or more of the heater resistance value of the recording element. The inkjet recording head according to claim 13, wherein the ratio is 2.4% or more.

16. The ink jet recording head according to claim 13, wherein the heater resistance value of each recording element is measured in a pre-shipment inspection.

The inkjet recording head according to claim 13, wherein the storage unit is mounted on the storage unit.

In the multi-pass printing in which a predetermined area of an image is recorded by a plurality of main scans of the recording head, the recording means reduces the ejection frequency of the recording element that is likely to deteriorate early, and 18. An ink jet recording head according to claim 13, wherein the ink jet recording head is means for completing recording by increasing the ejection frequency of the recording elements in a complementary relationship.