JP2009202044A - Discharge characteristics acquisition apparatus, liquid material discharger, and discharge characteristics acquisition method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a nozzle for which ejection characteristics are to be acquired, in which the ejection characteristics may differ depending on whether or not the liquid material is ejected from the nozzles on both sides thereof. Was an issue.
A nozzle block 20B is divided into four nozzle groups for every three nozzles. Then, combinations of all discharge nozzles that can be taken under the condition that three nozzles are not continuous across all nozzle groups and their discharge timings are set in the same arrangement order for each divided nozzle group. As a result, in the nozzles 21 to 32, the nozzles before and after the arrangement order are only the discharge nozzles alternately at the discharge timing, and they are not the discharge nozzles. Accordingly, the number of nozzles that discharge continuously is two or less, and the liquid material can be discharged so that there are no discharge nozzles that are three or more continuous. In this way, the influence of the discharge amount that occurs when three or more discharge nozzles continue is eliminated.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a discharge characteristic acquisition device, a liquid material discharge device, and a discharge characteristic acquisition method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for acquiring characteristics regarding the discharge amount of a liquid discharged from a nozzle.

  In recent years, a method has been proposed in which a liquid material containing a functional material is discharged from a nozzle disposed in a head onto a substrate, and the discharged liquid material is solidified to form a thin film. Typical examples of the thin film to be formed include a color filter, a light emitting layer of an organic EL panel, a metal wiring, and the like.

  When such a method is used, in order to form a high-quality thin film, it is required that the discharge amount of the discharged liquid material (hereinafter simply referred to as “discharge amount”) does not vary. This is because the variation in the discharge amount contributes to the characteristic unevenness of the thin film formed by the arranged liquid material, and as a result, the formation of a homogeneous thin film is hindered.

  In view of this, there has been proposed a technique that compensates for variations in the discharge amount from the nozzles by appropriately setting and supplying drive signals for a plurality of conditions for changing the discharge amount for each nozzle (drive element) (for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP-A-9-17483

  However, there is a case where the discharge amount varies due to the manufacturing variation of the nozzles or the arrangement position in the head. Therefore, when the technique according to Patent Document 1 is implemented, the condition of the drive signal for measuring the relationship between the drive signal and the discharge amount, that is, the discharge characteristic for each nozzle, and compensating for the discharge amount variation based on the measured characteristic. It is necessary to set (for example, voltage value) appropriately.

  At this time, there are cases where the discharge characteristics of the nozzles for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired may differ depending on the mutual influence between the nozzles that occurs during the discharge of the liquid material, and it is an issue to acquire the discharge characteristics in consideration of such cases. It was.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following application examples.

  Application Example 1 Discharge of a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a driving element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a driving signal to the driving elements A liquid discharge head for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles Each of the divided nozzle groups divided into one nozzle group for every M nozzles (M is an integer of 3 or more) that are consecutive in the arrangement order, and the same arrangement order in all of the divided nozzle groups, A drive signal supply unit that supplies the drive signal so that the liquid material is discharged to all combinations of nozzles that can be taken under the condition that three nozzles do not continue across all the nozzle groups; Comprising a discharge amount measuring unit for measuring a discharge amount of the liquid material out, and a discharge characteristic acquisition unit for acquiring the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this apparatus, the number of nozzles that discharge continuously is two or less, and the liquid material can be discharged so that there are no three or more nozzles that are continuous. Therefore, the influence of the discharge amount that occurs when three or more nozzles to be discharged are removed is eliminated, so that the discharge amount of the acquisition target nozzle due to the discharge of the liquid material from the nozzles on both sides of the discharge characteristic acquisition target nozzle is eliminated. There is no impact. As a result, it is possible to acquire discharge characteristics indicating the relationship between the discharge amount from the nozzle and the drive signal under conditions that are not affected by the discharge of the liquid material from the adjacent nozzle.

  Application Example 2 Discharge of a liquid material from a plurality of nozzles having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a drive signal to the drive elements A liquid discharge head for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles The nozzle ordering section for classifying as one nozzle group for every M nozzles (M is an integer of 4 or more) that are consecutive in the order of arrangement, and the same order of arrangement for all of the grouped nozzle groups. A drive signal supply unit that supplies the drive signal to discharge the liquid material to all M-1 nozzles that can be combined in the one nozzle group; Comprising of a discharge amount measuring unit for measuring a discharge amount, and a discharge characteristic acquisition unit for acquiring the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this apparatus, the discharge amount including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides is measured for the nozzle whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired. It will be. By the way, in actual image data, there are many cases where three or more nozzles for discharging a liquid material are continuous. Accordingly, there is a high probability that the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount from each nozzle and the drive signal can be acquired under conditions close to the ejection state based on actual image data.

  Application Example 3 Discharge of a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a driving element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a driving signal to the driving element. A liquid discharge head for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles The nozzle ordering section for classifying as one nozzle group for every M nozzles (M is an integer of 5 or more) that are consecutive in the order of arrangement, and the same order of arrangement for all of the grouped nozzle groups. A drive signal supply unit that supplies the drive signal to discharge the liquid material to all combinations of M-2 nozzles that can be taken in the one nozzle group; Comprising of a discharge amount measuring unit for measuring a discharge amount, and a discharge characteristic acquisition unit for acquiring the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this apparatus, in addition to the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side of the nozzles whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired, the case where the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles and the case where the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles Measure the amount discharged from the nozzle, including when not discharging. Therefore, the discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each nozzle can be measured under conditions including the case where the nozzles discharging the liquid material are continuous and the case where only one nozzle is used. As a result, the probability that the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal can be acquired under conditions close to the ejection state that occurs in the actual image data is increased.

  Application Example 4 In the above-described ejection characteristic acquisition device, the drive signal supply unit is arranged between the nozzles that eject the liquid material adjacent to the nozzles that eject the liquid material in all the nozzle groups. The drive signal is supplied at a plurality of timings with different supply timings.

  According to this configuration, the mutual influence of the discharge amount due to the operation of the drive element and the like caused by the liquid material being simultaneously discharged from the adjacent nozzles is suppressed in the nozzles whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired. As a result, it is possible to acquire the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal for each nozzle in a state where the influence of the ejection operation of the adjacent nozzle is suppressed. Further, since the drive signal is not supplied to all the drive elements provided for each nozzle at the same time, the influence on the discharge amount due to the supply load fluctuation of the drive signal can be suppressed.

  Application Example 5 The apparatus includes the discharge characteristic acquisition device, and a moving unit that relatively moves the discharge target to which the liquid material is discharged and the plurality of nozzles.

  According to this liquid material discharge apparatus, it is possible to acquire the discharge characteristics of the liquid material from each nozzle and discharge the liquid material to the discharge target of the liquid material from the nozzle that has acquired the discharge characteristics. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately set the drive signal condition (for example, voltage value) for compensating the discharge amount variation based on the discharge characteristics.

  Application Example 6 Discharge of a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a driving element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a driving signal to the driving elements A discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles are A step of dividing each of the M nozzles (M is an integer of 3 or more) consecutive in the arrangement order as one nozzle group, and the same arrangement order in each of the divided nozzle groups, Supplying the drive signal so that the liquid material is discharged to all combinations of nozzles that can be taken under the condition that three nozzles do not continue across all nozzle groups, and the discharged liquid material Comprising a step of measuring the discharge amount, and a step of acquiring the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this method, the number of nozzles that discharge continuously is two or less, and the liquid material can be discharged so that there are no three or more nozzles that are continuous. Therefore, the influence of the discharge amount that occurs when three or more nozzles to be discharged are removed is eliminated, so that the discharge amount of the acquisition target nozzle due to the discharge of the liquid material from the nozzles on both sides of the discharge characteristic acquisition target nozzle is eliminated. There is no impact. As a result, it is possible to acquire discharge characteristics indicating the relationship between the discharge amount from the nozzle and the drive signal under conditions that are not affected by the discharge of the liquid material from the adjacent nozzle.

  Application Example 7 Discharge of a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a driving element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a driving signal to the driving elements A discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles are Each of the M nozzles (M is an integer of 4 or more) that is consecutive in the arrangement order, and the same arrangement order in each of the divided nozzle groups, A step of supplying the drive signal to discharge the liquid material to all M-1 nozzles of all possible combinations in one nozzle group, and a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material is measured. And a step, and a obtaining step of obtaining the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this method, the discharge amount including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides is measured for the nozzle whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired. It will be. By the way, in actual image data, there are many cases where three or more nozzles for discharging a liquid material are continuous. Accordingly, there is a high probability that the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount from each nozzle and the drive signal can be acquired under conditions close to the ejection state based on actual image data.

  Application Example 8 Discharge of a liquid material from a plurality of nozzles having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a driving element provided for each nozzle, and supplying a driving signal to the driving elements A discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal, wherein the plurality of nozzles are Each of the M nozzles (M is an integer of 5 or more) that is consecutive in the arrangement order, and the same arrangement order in each of the divided nozzle groups, Supplying the drive signal to discharge the liquid material to all combinations of M-2 nozzles that can be taken in one nozzle group, and measuring the discharge amount of the discharged liquid material And a step, and a step of acquiring the discharge characteristics by using the discharge amount of the drive signal and the liquid material.

  According to this method, in addition to the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side of the nozzle for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired, the case where the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles, and the case where the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles Measure the amount discharged from the nozzle, including when not discharging. Therefore, the discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each nozzle can be measured under conditions including the case where the nozzles discharging the liquid material are continuous and the case where only one nozzle is used. As a result, the probability that the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal can be acquired under conditions close to the ejection state that occurs in the actual image data is increased.

  Application Example 9 In the discharge characteristic acquisition method, the step of supplying the driving signal includes a nozzle that discharges the liquid material adjacent to the nozzles that discharge the liquid material in all the nozzle groups. The drive signal is supplied at a plurality of timings with different supply timings.

  In this way, the mutual influence of the discharge amount due to the operation of the drive element and the like caused by the liquid material being simultaneously discharged from the adjacent nozzles is suppressed in the nozzles to be discharged. As a result, it is possible to acquire the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal for each nozzle in a state where the influence of the ejection operation of the adjacent nozzle is suppressed. Further, since the drive signal is not supplied to all the drive elements provided for each nozzle at the same time, the influence on the discharge amount due to the supply load fluctuation of the drive signal can be suppressed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid material discharge device 100 as an embodiment provided with a discharge characteristic acquisition device of the present invention. The liquid material ejecting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment ejects each color liquid material of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) to a substrate P as an ejection object, and thereby predetermined characters and designs. Or it is an apparatus which draws an image etc.

(Embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid material discharge device 100 includes a pair of guide rails 101 provided linearly, an air slider provided inside the guide rail 101, and a linear motor (not shown). A moving table 103 that moves in the axial direction (this is the Y-axis direction in the present embodiment) is provided. A stage 105 for placing the substrate P is provided on the movable table 103. The stage 105 is configured to be able to suck and fix the substrate P.

  Further, the stage 105 is different from the guide rail 101 by a pair of guide rails 101 linearly provided on the moving table 103, an air slider and a linear motor (not shown) provided inside the guide rail 101. It is configured to be movable in two linear axis directions (this is the X-axis direction in the present embodiment).

  One linear axis direction (which is different from the guide rail 101) at a predetermined distance on the opposite side of the stage 105 from the moving table 103 (this is also referred to as an upward direction in the present embodiment, and vice versa). A pair of guide rails 102 is provided so as to exhibit (in this embodiment, the X-axis direction).

  The liquid material discharge device 100 includes a carriage 200 that moves along the pair of guide rails 102. That is, the carriage 200 is provided with a carriage moving table 112 integrally or separately from both sides of the carriage 200, and an X-axis is provided by an air slider and a linear motor (both not shown) provided inside the guide rail 102. It is configured to be movable along the direction.

  The carriage 200 is formed with a plurality of nozzles that are perforated so as to exhibit a predetermined arrangement direction on the lower side of the carriage 200 and discharge a liquid material of each color, and a discharge mechanism that discharges the liquid material for each nozzle. Is provided. Then, each color liquid material supplied from the liquid material supply device 15 (see FIG. 3) to the carriage 200 is supplied to each nozzle head 20 via a flow path (not shown), and is discharged by a discharge mechanism formed for each nozzle. It discharges as a droplet from a nozzle.

  Here, the nozzle formed in the nozzle head 20 in this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing how the nozzles formed in the nozzle head 20 are arranged, and shows a state viewed from below the carriage 200 in FIG. Here, the vertical direction of the drawing is shown as the X-axis direction.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the nozzle head 20 includes nozzle blocks 20R, 20G, and 20B that discharge color liquids corresponding to R, G, and B. In each nozzle block 20R, 20G, and 20B, 12 nozzles 21 to 32 are arranged in a substantially straight line, and the arrangement direction thereof coincides with the X-axis direction.

  Each nozzle formed is provided with a discharge mechanism for each nozzle in the nozzle head 20 as described above, and pressure is generated on each color liquid in the nozzle head 20 so that a predetermined amount of each color liquid is generated. Is discharged from the nozzle. Of course, the discharge mechanism has the same structure for all nozzles.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge mechanism has the structure shown in the blow-out portion in FIG. 2, and uses the piezoelectric element 2 as a driving body (actuator). That is, when a voltage waveform is applied between the electrodes 2c at both ends of the piezoelectric element 2 and the ground line (GND), the piezoelectric element 2 contracts or expands due to electrostriction and deflects the diaphragm 3 in the direction of the arrow. Each color liquid material existing in the pressurizing chamber 4 formed in the middle of the liquid material flow path is pressurized. As a result, the pressurized color liquids are discharged as droplets 9 from the nozzles 32 (21 to 31) formed in the bottom surface member 8 of the nozzle head 20. The discharge mechanism may be, for example, a so-called thermal method using a heating element as a driver.

  By the way, in this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that 12 nozzles are formed in each nozzle block. Actually, however, tens to hundreds of nozzles are formed at a predetermined pitch. ing. In addition, each nozzle block may have a plurality of nozzle rows such as two rows. For example, in the case of two rows, the nozzle drilling positions are in a staggered arrangement in which the nozzle rows are shifted from each other by a half pitch. In some cases.

  Now, returning to FIG. 1, the liquid material discharge device 100 includes a control device 10. The control device 10 drives the ejection mechanism formed in the nozzle head 20 in addition to the movement control of the moving table 103 in the Y-axis direction and the movement control of the carriage moving table 112 provided in the carriage 200 in the X-axis direction. Control, that is, discharge control of the liquid material is performed. The liquid material ejecting apparatus 100 is provided with a liquid material receiving container 110 that receives the liquid material ejected from the nozzles by the ejection control when the ejection characteristics of each nozzle formed in the nozzle head 20 are acquired. Yes.

  First, the process for acquiring the ejection characteristics of the nozzles performed by the liquid material ejection apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram when the liquid material discharge device 100 functions as the discharge characteristic acquisition device 100s.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 10 includes a CPU 11 and a memory 12, a drive control signal generation circuit 13, and a discharge amount measurement circuit 14 that are connected to each other via a bus line.

  Of course, the control device 10 is provided with a control circuit for controlling the movement of the moving table 103 and a control circuit for controlling the movement of the carriage moving table 112, although not shown. When the CPU 11 discharges the liquid material onto the substrate P, the CPU 11 performs calculations related to the discharge start position, main scanning, and sub-scanning, and drives the linear motor for driving the moving table 103 and the carriage moving table 112 via the control circuit. Each linear motor is configured to output a predetermined control signal and move. As a result, the nozzle and the substrate P are moved relative to each other so as to function as a liquid material ejecting apparatus 100 that draws a predetermined pattern or image on the substrate P.

  As shown in the figure, the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s receives the liquid material supply device 15 that supplies the liquid material to the nozzle head 20, the nozzle head 20 having the nozzles for which the ejection characteristics are to be acquired, and the discharged liquid material. The liquid material receiving container 110 and the control device 10 are functionally configured.

  In the control device 10, the CPU 11 performs the nozzle classification calculation and the discharge control calculation according to the discharge characteristic acquisition processing program stored in the memory 12. Based on the calculated ejection control data, the drive control signal generation circuit 13 is controlled to generate a predetermined drive control signal and output it to the nozzle head 20. In the nozzle head 20, a drive signal generated according to the output drive control signal is applied to the piezoelectric element 2 of each nozzle, and a liquid material is discharged from each nozzle. The discharged liquid material is received in the liquid material receiving container 110, and data representing the discharge amount discharged from each nozzle is output to the discharge amount measuring circuit 14. The CPU 11 controls the discharge amount measuring circuit 14 to measure the actual discharge amount for each nozzle from the data representing the discharge amount. Then, a discharge characteristic acquisition calculation is performed using the drive signal generated according to the output drive control signal and the actual discharge amount, and the calculation data is stored in the memory 12 to acquire the discharge characteristic for each nozzle. .

  Although not shown in the drawings, the liquid material receiving container 110 is provided with measuring means for measuring the three-dimensional shape of the liquid material ejected for each nozzle received on a predetermined liquid repellent surface using the white interference method. ing. Then, the measured three-dimensional shape data is output to the discharge amount measuring circuit 14 as data representing the discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each nozzle. Of course, the liquid material receiving container 110 may be provided with a weight measuring means using a general electronic balance as a measuring means. The measuring means is preferably made of a material that does not erode by the liquid material, and is configured to suppress volatilization of the liquid material by disposing a porous member such as a sponge in the opening for receiving the liquid material. It is preferable.

  Next, how a drive signal to be applied to the piezoelectric element of each nozzle is generated from the ejection control data will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s. FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the drive signal and each control signal. Note that the electrical configuration diagram shown in FIG. 4 and the timing diagram shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle head 20 includes a piezoelectric element 2 provided for each of the nozzles 21 to 32 (see FIG. 2) of the nozzle block 20 </ b> R (20 </ b> G, 20 </ b> B) and a drive signal COM to each piezoelectric element 2. A switching circuit 136 for switching supply / non-supply and a drive signal selection for selecting a drive signal supply line (hereinafter referred to as COM lines (COM1 to COM4)) related to the supply to each piezoelectric element 2 Circuit 135. The nozzle head 20 is electrically connected to the drive control signal generation circuit 13.

  The drive control signal generation circuit 13 includes D / A converters (DACs) 133A, 133B, 133C, and 133D that generate independent drive signals COM, and waveform data WD1 of the drive signals COM generated by the D / A converters 133A to 133D. , WD2, WD3, WD4, a waveform data selection circuit 132 having a memory therein, and a data memory 131 for storing the discharge control data calculated by the CPU 11. The drive signals generated by the D / A converters 133A to 133D are output to the COM lines (COM1 to COM4), respectively.

  In the nozzle head 20, one GND electrode of the piezoelectric element 2 is connected to a ground line (GND) of the D / A converters 133A to 133D. The other electrode 2c of the piezoelectric element 2 is connected to the COM lines (COM1 to COM4) via the switching circuit 136 and the drive signal selection circuit 135. The switching circuit 136, the drive signal selection circuit 135, and the waveform data selection circuit 132 are inputted with a clock signal CLK and a latch signal LAT corresponding to each ejection timing.

  The data memory 131 stores the following data for each discharge timing of the liquid material from the nozzle head 20. That is, the ejection data SIA that defines switching of supply / non-supply (ON / OFF) of the drive signal COM to each piezoelectric element 2 and the drive signal that defines the COM lines (COM1 to COM4) corresponding to each piezoelectric element 2 Selection data SIB and waveform number data WN that defines the types of waveform data WD1 to WD4 input to D / A converters 133A to 133D. The ejection data SIA, the drive signal selection data SIB, and the waveform data WD1 to WD4 are each output as data having a predetermined number of bits. Incidentally, in this embodiment, the ejection data SIA is 1 bit (0, 1) per nozzle, the drive signal selection data SIB is 2 bits (0, 1, 2, 3) per nozzle, and the waveform number. The data WN is composed of 7 bits (0 to 127) per 1D / A converter. Of course, these data structures can be appropriately changed.

  Next, specific generation timings of these control signals, that is, ejection data SIA, drive signal selection data SIB, waveform data WD1 to WD4, and drive signals applied to the piezoelectric elements will be described with reference to FIG. .

  As shown in the figure, in the timing period from time t0 to t1, the ejection data SIA, drive signal selection data SIB, and waveform number data WN are converted into serial signals, respectively, and the switching circuit 136, drive signal selection circuit 135, waveform data selection are performed. It is output to the circuit 132. Then, at the timing of time t1, each data is latched in each circuit by the latch signal LAT, so that the electrodes 2c of each piezoelectric element 2 related to ejection (ON) are each designated by the drive signal selection data SIB. It will be in the state connected to a COM line (COM1-COM4). For example, when the drive signal selection data SIB is 0, 1, 2, 3, the corresponding electrode 2c of the piezoelectric element 2 is connected to COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, respectively. In addition, waveform data WD1 to WD4 of drive signals related to the generation of the D / A converters 133A to 133D are set.

  In the subsequent timing period of time t1 to t2, the drive signals COM1 to COM4 are generated in a series of steps of increasing potential, holding potential, and decreasing potential according to the waveform data WD1 to WD4 set at the timing of time t1, respectively. The Then, any one of the generated COM1 to COM4 drive signals COM is supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 connected to the COM line, and the piezoelectric element 2 is driven to be deformed.

  Similarly, in the timing period from time t1 to time t2, the ejection data SIA, the drive signal selection data SIB, and the waveform number data WN are converted into serial signals, and the switching circuit 136, the drive signal selection circuit 135, and the waveform data selection circuit 132, respectively. Is output. Each data is latched in each circuit at the timing of time t2, so that the electrode 2c of each piezoelectric element 2 related to ejection (ON) is connected to each COM line (COM1 to COM1) designated by the drive signal selection data SIB. COM4) is connected.

  In the timing period from time t2 to t3, the drive signals COM for COM1 to COM4 are generated according to the waveform data WD1 to WD4 set at the timing of time t2, and the piezoelectric element 2 in a state connected to the COM line Any one of the drive signals COM is supplied, and the piezoelectric element 2 is driven to be deformed.

  Thus, based on the output data in the timing period from time t (n−1) to t (n) (n = 1, 2, 3...), The timing from time t (n) to t (n + 1). The generation of the drive signal COM and the supply to the piezoelectric element 2 are repeatedly performed during the period, and the liquid material is discharged from each nozzle.

  Here, the potential increasing component in the drive signal COM plays a role of expanding the pressurizing chamber 4 (see FIG. 2) and drawing the liquid into the nozzle. In addition, the potential drop component plays a role of contracting the pressurizing chamber 4 to push the liquid material out of the nozzle and eject it.

  The time component and the voltage component related to the potential increase, potential retention, and potential decrease in the drive signal COM closely depend on the discharge amount of the liquid material discharged by the supply. In particular, in a piezoelectric head, since the discharge amount exhibits a good linearity with respect to a change in voltage component, the maximum and minimum potential difference is defined as the drive voltage Vh, and this is a drive signal for obtaining the discharge characteristics. Use as

  The drive signal COM to be generated is not limited to a simple trapezoidal wave as shown in the present embodiment, and it is possible to appropriately adopt various known shapes. It is also possible to use other components such as a time component related to a potential drop as a drive signal when acquiring ejection characteristics. This may be effective even when a different driving method (for example, a thermal method) is adopted.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of waveform data having different drive voltages Vh are prepared, and independent waveform data WD1 to WD4 are input to the D / A converters 133A to 133D, respectively. The drive signal COM having the voltage waveform is generated. Therefore, it is possible to output drive signals COM having different drive voltages Vh to the COM lines (COM1 to COM4). The types of waveform data that can be prepared are the types corresponding to the information amount of the waveform number data WN (here, 7 bits, 128 types), and the drive voltage Vh of the voltage value used for obtaining the ejection characteristics is generated. It has become.

  Thus, the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s includes the drive signal selection data (SIB) that defines the correspondence between each piezoelectric element 2 (that is, each nozzle) and the COM line (COM1 to COM4), and each COM line (COM1 to COM4). By appropriately setting the waveform number data (WN) that defines the correspondence between the drive signal COM and the type of drive signal COM (drive voltage Vh), an appropriate drive signal COM is supplied to each nozzle to discharge the liquid material. It is possible.

  Next, three examples of specific processing performed by the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s configured as described above will be described. The first embodiment is a case where the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount from the nozzle and the drive signal are acquired under the condition that the liquid material is not affected by the ejection from the adjacent nozzle. The second embodiment is a case where the discharge characteristics are acquired under conditions including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides. In the third embodiment, in addition to the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side, the conditions including the case where the liquid material is discharged from the adjacent nozzles and the case where the liquid material is not discharged from the adjacent nozzles are included. In this case, the ejection characteristics are acquired.

  In any process, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is similarly performed. Accordingly, all three examples will be described based on the processing flowchart shown in FIG. The procedure is defined in the processing program (see FIG. 3) stored in the memory 12, and the CPU 11 reads this processing program and executes the processing using the memory 12 as a working memory as appropriate.

(First embodiment)
When the process is started, first, in step S101, the nozzle block and the number of nozzles are acquired. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the nozzle block and the number of nozzles formed in the nozzle head 20 from which the ejection characteristics are acquired are stored in the memory 12 in advance. Therefore, the CPU 11 reads the stored nozzle block and the number of nozzles, and acquires each nozzle block and the number of nozzles. Note that an identification number may be assigned to the nozzle head 20 provided in the carriage 200, and the identification number, the corresponding nozzle block, and the number of nozzles may be stored in the memory 12 of the control device 10 in advance. In this case, the CPU 11 may read this identification number by reading means (not shown) and read the nozzle block and the number of nozzles corresponding to the identification number stored in the memory 12. Alternatively, the operator of the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100 s may input data indicating the nozzle block and the number of nozzles to the control device 10 using a predetermined input unit.

  Next, in step S102, the nozzles are divided into a predetermined number of three or more consecutive, and processing for setting the nozzles to be ejected and the ejection timing is performed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a predetermined number of 3 or more is stored in the memory 12 in advance. Therefore, the CPU 11 reads the predetermined number stored, and classifies the nozzles in each nozzle block as a nozzle group for each predetermined number. Of course, the operator of the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s may input data indicating the predetermined number to the control device 10 using an input unit (not shown in FIG. 3).

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined number stored in the memory 12 is three, and the predetermined number is divided every three. In addition, all the nozzles that are arranged in the same arrangement order in all the divided nozzle groups and that can be taken under the condition that three nozzles do not continue across all the nozzle groups are arranged together with the discharge timing thereof. Is set as a discharge nozzle that discharges water.

  The process performed in step S102 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the same processing is performed for the nozzle blocks 20R, 20G, and 20B, the nozzle block 20B will be described as a representative.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzles 21 to 32 in the nozzle block 20B divided into nozzle groups, and the discharge nozzles and their discharge timings in each of the divided nozzle groups. The discharge timing indicates each timing period from the time t (n) to t (n + 1) in FIG. 5 described above.

  As illustrated, the nozzle block 20B is divided into four nozzle groups of nozzles 21 to 23, nozzles 24 to 26, nozzles 27 to 29, and nozzles 30 to 32 for every three nozzles. As shown on the right side of the drawing, all the discharge nozzles that can be taken in the same arrangement order for each divided nozzle group, that is, all three nozzles that can be taken on the condition that the three nozzles 21 to 32 are not continuous. A combination of (dotted circles in the figure) and its discharge timing are set.

  That is, first, in the timing period from time t1 to t2, the nozzles 21, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, and 31 are ejection nozzles. In the timing period of the next time t2 to t3, the nozzles 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 32 are ejection nozzles. In the next timing period from t3 to t4, the nozzles 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31, and 32 are ejection nozzles. As a result, in each of the nozzles 21 to 32, in the timing period from time t1 to t4, the ejection timing that is the timing period for ejecting the liquid material is twice, and the non-ejection timing that is the timing period that the liquid material is not ejected is once. Set for all nozzles. All the nozzles except the nozzle 21 and the nozzle 32 at both ends of the nozzle block 20B only have the nozzles before and after the arrangement order alternately as the discharge nozzles at the discharge timing. Never become. Needless to say, the order of ejection timing of each nozzle is not limited to this, and may be any order.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of nozzles that discharge continuously is two or less, and the liquid material can be discharged so that there are no three or more nozzles that are continuous. As a result, the influence of the discharge amount that occurs when three or more nozzles are discharged is eliminated, so that the discharge amount of the acquisition target nozzle by discharging the liquid from the nozzles adjacent to the acquisition target nozzle of the discharge characteristics is reduced. Does not occur.

  Returning to FIG. 6, next, in step S103, drive voltage setting processing is performed. In the present embodiment, a total of four drive voltages, which are voltages that can be selected by the waveform data selection circuit 132 described above and that are two voltages that divide the maximum voltage, the minimum voltage, and the voltage between them into approximately three equal parts, Setting processing is performed as drive signals COM for COM1 to COM4 having different voltage values. Alternatively, the operator of the ejection characteristic acquisition device 100s may input and set data indicating the drive voltage Vh to the control device 10 using a predetermined input unit.

  Next, in step S104, ejection control data is generated and output. The CPU 11 generates ejection control data that determines the drive signal COM supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 and its supply timing, and outputs the ejection control data to the drive control signal generation circuit 13. Specifically, four drive signals COM1 to COM4 are generated by the DA converters 133A to 133D (see FIG. 4) by the discharge control data output process, and the drive signal selection circuit 135 and the switching circuit 136 in the nozzle head 20 are generated. Thus, for each timing period based on the LAT signal, one of the four drive signals COM1 to COM4 is supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 of the selected discharge nozzle, and the liquid material is discharged.

  Next, in step S105, processing for measuring the discharge amount for each nozzle is performed. The CPU 11 controls the discharge amount measuring circuit 14 to convert the output data from the liquid material receiving container 110 into discharge amount data, and measures the discharge amount from each nozzle.

  Next, in step S106, drive voltage and discharge amount recording processing is performed. The CPU 11 records the drive voltage Vh supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 in step S104 and the discharge amount measured in step S105 for each nozzle 21 to 32 in a predetermined area of the memory 12.

  Next, in step S107, it is determined whether or not there is an unsupplied drive voltage Vh. The CPU 11 determines whether there is a drive signal COM that has not yet been supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 for the four drive signals COM1 to COM4 set in step S103. If it exists (step S107: YES), the process returns to step S104 to generate ejection control data so as to supply the piezoelectric element 2 with the drive signal COM not yet supplied among the drive signals COM1 to COM4. And the subsequent processing is repeated.

  Then, when all four types of drive voltages Vh are supplied to the piezoelectric element 2, the drive signal COM to be changed does not exist (step S107: NO), the process proceeds to step S108, and recording is performed for each nozzle. The process of obtaining the ejection characteristics from the drive voltage Vh and the ejection amount is performed. The CPU 11 calculates the discharge amount discharged at one discharge timing by dividing the stored discharge amount by the number of discharge timings, and sets this as the discharge amount from the nozzle at the drive voltage. In this way, the ejection characteristics (ejection amount) of each nozzle with respect to each drive voltage Vh are acquired. The acquired ejection characteristics are stored in a predetermined area of the memory 12 for each nozzle, and the process here ends.

  Thereafter, in the liquid material discharge device 100, the discharge amount variation is compensated by correcting the driving voltage based on the obtained discharge characteristics, and the liquid material is appropriately discharged from each nozzle to the liquid material discharge target. It becomes possible.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the discharge characteristic indicating the relationship between the discharge amount from the nozzle and the drive signal is obtained in a state where the liquid material is not affected by the discharge from the adjacent nozzle. An example is a case where the discharge characteristics are acquired under conditions including both the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides. Note that the processing in the second embodiment differs from the processing steps in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 only in step S102, so step S102 will be described here, and the other steps will be described. Omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in step S102, the CPU 11 classifies each nozzle block 20R, 20G, 20B as a nozzle group every four or more predetermined numbers. By the way, in this embodiment, it is assumed that it is divided into four pieces. Then, all of the divided nozzle groups have the same arrangement order, and all the combinations of 4-1 (that is, three) nozzles that can be taken in one nozzle group together with the discharge timing thereof are liquid materials. Is set as a nozzle that discharges water.

  The process performed in step S102 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the same processing is performed for the nozzle blocks 20R, 20G, and 20B, the nozzle block 20B will be described as a representative.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzles 21 to 32 in the nozzle block 20B into nozzle groups, and the discharge nozzles and their discharge timings in each of the divided nozzle groups. Here, the discharge timing indicates each timing period from the time t (n) to t (n + 1) in FIG. 5 described above, as in the first embodiment.

  As illustrated, the nozzle block 20B is divided into three nozzle groups of nozzles 21 to 24, nozzles 25 to 28, and nozzles 29 to 32 for every four consecutive nozzles. And as shown on the right side of the drawing, in the same arrangement order for each divided nozzle group, the condition that three nozzles out of four nozzles become ejection nozzles, that is, the condition that one nozzle becomes a non-ejection nozzle. Thus, combinations of all possible discharge nozzles (shaded circles in the figure) and their discharge timings are set.

  That is, first, in the timing period from time t1 to t2, the nozzles 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 31 are ejection nozzles. In the next timing period t2 to t3, the nozzles 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 32 are ejection nozzles. In the timing period of the next time t3 to t4, the nozzles 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, and 32 are ejection nozzles, and in the timing period of the next time t4 to t5, the nozzles 22, Reference numerals 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, and 32 are discharge nozzles. As a result, in each of the nozzles 21 to 32, in all timing periods from time t1 to t5, the ejection timing that is the timing period for ejecting the liquid material is three times, and the non-ejection timing that is the timing period that the liquid material is not ejected is one time. , Set for all nozzles.

  As is clear from the figure, by setting the discharge nozzle in this way, the conditions including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides are included. The combinations of all the discharge nozzles that can be taken and the discharge timing thereof are set. Incidentally, all the nozzles except the nozzle 21 and the nozzle 32 at both ends of the nozzle block 20B have a case where the nozzle before the arrangement order becomes the discharge nozzle at the discharge timing, and the nozzle after the arrangement order becomes the discharge nozzle. And the case where both become discharge nozzles at the same time are included once each.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the discharge amount including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides of the nozzle for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired. Can be weighed. By the way, in actual image data, there are many cases where three or more nozzles for discharging a liquid material are continuous. In such a case, since the probability of occurrence of a discharge pattern as in this embodiment increases for adjacent nozzles, according to this embodiment, the discharge amount from each nozzle can be determined under conditions close to the discharge state based on actual image data. The probability that the ejection characteristic indicating the relationship with the drive signal can be acquired increases.

  In this embodiment, as will be understood from the above description, if the number of nozzles in one divided nozzle group increases, the liquid material is often discharged from the nozzles on both sides of the nozzle for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired. Become. Therefore, by setting the number of nozzles in one nozzle group according to actual image data, there is a possibility that more appropriate ejection characteristics close to actual ejection conditions can be acquired.

(Third embodiment)
The second embodiment described above is a case where the discharge characteristics are acquired under conditions including both the case where the liquid material is discharged from one adjacent nozzle on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles. However, in the third embodiment, in addition to these, the ejection characteristics are acquired under conditions including the case where the liquid material is not ejected from the nozzles on both sides. Since the processing in the third embodiment differs from the processing steps in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 only in step S102, as in the second embodiment, step S102 will be described here. Description of other steps is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, in step S102, the CPU 11 classifies each nozzle block 20R, 20G, 20B as a nozzle group every predetermined number of five or more. By the way, in this embodiment, it is assumed that it is divided every six. Then, all of the divided nozzle groups are arranged in the same order, and all the combinations of 6-2 (that is, four) nozzles that can be taken in one nozzle group are arranged together with the discharge timing thereof. Is set as a discharge nozzle that discharges water.

  The process performed in step S102 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the same processing is performed for the nozzle blocks 20R, 20G, and 20B, the nozzle block 20B will be described as a representative.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the nozzles 21 to 32 in the nozzle block 20B into nozzle groups, and the discharge nozzles and their discharge timings in each of the divided nozzle groups. Here, the discharge timing indicates each timing period from the time t (n) to t (n + 1) in FIG. 5 described above, as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in the drawing, the nozzle block 20B is divided into six nozzles, and is divided into two nozzle groups of nozzles 21 to 26 and nozzles 27 to 32. And, as shown on the right side of the drawing, in the same arrangement order for each divided nozzle group, the condition that 4 nozzles out of 6 nozzles become discharge nozzles, that is, the condition that 2 nozzles become non-discharge nozzles. Thus, combinations of all possible discharge nozzles (shaded circles in the figure) and their discharge timings are set.

  That is, first, in the timing period of time t1 to t2, the nozzles 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, and 30 are ejection nozzles. In the next timing period t2 to t3, the nozzles 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30, and 31 are ejection nozzles. Although not described below, in the timing periods from the next time t3 to t4 to the time t15 to t16, the nozzles indicated by shading in the figure are set as the discharge nozzles.

  As a result, in each of the nozzles 21 to 32, in all timing periods from time t1 to t16, the ejection timing that is the timing period for ejecting the liquid material is 10 times, and the non-ejection timing that is the timing period for which the liquid material is not ejected is 5 times. , Set for all nozzles.

  As is apparent from the figure, by setting the discharge nozzle in this way, in addition to the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is discharged from the nozzles on both sides, A combination of all the discharge nozzles including the case where the liquid material is not discharged from the nozzles and the discharge timing thereof are set. By the way, out of 10 discharge timings, all nozzles except the nozzle 21 and the nozzle 32 at both ends of the nozzle block 20B are the nozzles before the arrangement order and the nozzles after the arrangement order. The case where the nozzle becomes a discharge nozzle and the case where both become the discharge nozzle at the same time are included three times each, and the case where both become the non-discharge nozzles at the same time are included once.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side of the nozzle for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired, when the liquid material is discharged from both adjacent nozzles, and from the both adjacent nozzles, the liquid material is discharged. The discharge amount from the nozzle is measured under conditions including the case where the discharge is not performed. As a result, the discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each nozzle can be measured under conditions including the case where the nozzles discharging the liquid material are continuous and the case where only one nozzle is used. There is a high probability that the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal can be obtained under conditions close to the ejection state that occurs in the image data.

  In this embodiment, as will be understood from the above description, when the number of nozzles in one divided nozzle group increases, the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side of the nozzles whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired. Or the liquid material is often discharged from the nozzles on both sides. Therefore, by setting the number of nozzles in one nozzle group according to the actual image data, there is a possibility that the ejection characteristics can be acquired under conditions close to the actual ejection conditions.

  As described above, the present invention has been described using one embodiment and three examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, it can be implemented in various forms. Hereinafter, a modification will be described.

(First modification)
In each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, any one of COM1 to COM4 is used for the discharge nozzle that discharges the liquid material set in each timing period of time t (n) to t (n + 1). The drive signal COM is supplied simultaneously. Therefore, when the piezoelectric elements 2 to which the drive signal COM is supplied are located close to each other, such as when the discharge nozzles are adjacent to each other, the amount of discharge from the nozzles may be due to factors such as the operations of the piezoelectric elements 2 being influenced by each other May be affected by each other. Or when there are many discharge nozzles, the electrical load (for example, current load) concerning the drive signal COM supplied to the piezoelectric element 2 will become large. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the load capacity of the drive signal COM, and the discharge characteristic measuring apparatus becomes large.

  Therefore, with respect to the discharge nozzle that discharges the liquid material set in each timing period from time t (n) to t (n + 1), it is driven at a plurality of different timings so that the supply timing is shifted between the adjacent discharge nozzles. It is preferable to supply the signal COM.

  This modification will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows that the supply timing is shifted between the adjacent discharge nozzles with respect to the discharge nozzles that discharge the liquid material set in the respective timing periods of the times t (n) to t (n + 1) in the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the drive signal COM supplied to.

  As shown in the figure, in this modification, a drive signal COM having two voltage waveforms is output to each COM line in each timing period. Specifically, in the timing period from time t1 to t2, one timing period from time t1 to time t12 that is substantially in the middle of time t1 to t2, and one timing period from time t12 to time t2. A total of two voltage waveforms are output as the drive signal COM. Similarly, there are two voltage waveforms, one for the timing period from time t2 to t23 and one for the timing period from time t23 to t3, and one for the timing period from time t3 to t34 and one from the timing period from time t34 to t4. A drive signal COM is output.

  Then, the switching circuit 136 sets the discharge data so that the nozzles indicated by the shaded circles in the drawing are the discharge nozzles so that the timing at which the voltage waveform is supplied to the discharge nozzles set in each timing period does not overlap. It is controlled by SIA (see FIG. 4). For example, the nozzles 21, 24, 27, and 30 are controlled to be discharge nozzles in the timing period from time t1 to t12, and the nozzles 22, 25, 28, and 31 are controlled to be discharge nozzles in the timing period from time t12 to t2. The As a result, in the timing period from time t1 to t2, the same nozzle as the ejection nozzle in the timing period from time t1 to t2 shown in FIG. Although not described, the same applies to the timing period from time t2 to t3 and the timing period from time t3 to t4.

  As described above, according to the present modification, the mutual influence of the discharge amount generated due to the operation of the drive element caused by the liquid material being simultaneously discharged from the adjacent nozzles in the nozzles for which the discharge characteristics are to be acquired. It is suppressed. As a result, it is possible to acquire the ejection characteristics indicating the relationship between the ejection amount and the drive signal for each nozzle in a state where the influence of the ejection operation of the adjacent nozzle is suppressed. Further, since the drive signal is not supplied to all the drive elements provided for each nozzle at the same time, the influence on the discharge amount due to the supply load fluctuation of the drive signal can be suppressed.

(Second modification)
In the first embodiment, each of the three consecutive nozzles is divided into one nozzle group. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that three or more nozzles may be used. As an example, a case where the nozzle group is divided into eight nozzles in succession will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the number of nozzles formed in the nozzle block 20B is 16, and the nozzle group is divided into one nozzle group for every eight consecutive nozzles. That is, for the 16 nozzles 21 to 36 in the nozzle block 20B, 8 continuous nozzles are divided into one nozzle group, and the three discharge nozzles are not continuous over all the divided nozzle groups. It is the figure which showed the discharge nozzle set to each timing period of time t (n)-t (n + 1). As shown in the drawing, each of the nozzles 21 to 36 has a discharge timing that is a timing period for discharging the liquid material five times and a non-discharge timing that is a timing period in which the liquid material is not discharged in all timing periods from time t1 to t9. Each is set 3 times.

  As is apparent from the figure, by setting the discharge nozzles in this manner, the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side as well as the liquid material from the adjacent nozzles, as in the first embodiment. In addition to the case of discharging, a combination of discharge nozzles for the case where both sides are non-discharge nozzles is set. Incidentally, all the nozzles excluding the nozzle 21 and the nozzle 36 at both ends of the nozzle block 20B have a case where the nozzle before the arrangement order becomes the discharge nozzle at the discharge timing and the nozzle after the arrangement order becomes the discharge nozzle. Each case is included twice, and both cases are simultaneously non-ejection nozzles once.

  Therefore, according to the present modification, the discharge amount including the case where the liquid material is discharged from one of the adjacent nozzles on one side and the case where the liquid material is not discharged from the nozzles on both sides of the nozzle whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired. Can be weighed. As a result, the relationship between the discharge amount from the nozzles and the drive signal in a state where the liquid material is not discharged from the nozzles adjacent to the nozzles whose discharge characteristics are to be acquired and is not affected by the discharge of the liquid material from the adjacent nozzles. Can be obtained.

(Other variations)
In the above-described embodiment, the discharge characteristic acquisition device is described as being provided in the liquid material discharge device. It is good also as an apparatus provided only with the component function regarding characteristic acquisition.

  In the above-described embodiment, the nozzles provided in the nozzle block are described as being divided into nozzle groups without generating fractions. However, the number of nozzles that divide one nozzle group or the nozzle block is described. Depending on the number of nozzles provided, a fractional nozzle may occur at the end. In such a case, the nozzle block may be virtually divided into those having more nozzles, and the discharge nozzles may be set in the period of each timing t (n) to t (n + 1).

  In the above embodiment, the drive signal COM supplied to each discharge nozzle is described as having one voltage waveform. However, in the case of supplying one voltage waveform, the liquid material discharged at one discharge timing. There are cases where the discharge amount is small and the discharge amount is difficult to measure. In such a case, it is preferable to use a plurality of voltage waveforms in the drive signal COM supplied to the discharge nozzle at one discharge timing. Alternatively, in the process shown in FIG. 6, step S104 may be repeated a plurality of times. By doing so, the discharge amount from each nozzle increases, and it becomes easy to obtain the discharge characteristics.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid material discharge device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The schematic diagram which shows the arrangement | sequence state of the nozzle pierced by the nozzle head. The functional block diagram when a liquid discharger functions as a discharge characteristic acquisition apparatus. The figure which shows the electrical constitution of a discharge characteristic acquisition apparatus. The timing diagram of a drive signal and each control signal. 6 is a flowchart showing processing steps performed by the ejection characteristic acquisition device of the present embodiment. Explanatory drawing which showed the discharge nozzle and its discharge timing in 1st Example. Explanatory drawing which showed the discharge nozzle and its discharge timing in 2nd Example. Explanatory drawing which showed the discharge nozzle and its discharge timing in 3rd Example. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the drive signal produced | generated in the 1st modification. Explanatory drawing about the case where there are many nozzles divided into one nozzle group in 1st Example by the 2nd modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... Memory, 13 ... Drive control signal generation circuit, 14 ... Discharge amount measurement circuit, 15 ... Liquid substance supply apparatus, 20 ... Nozzle head, 20R, G, B ... Nozzle block, 21 36 ... Nozzle, 100 ... Liquid material discharge device, 100s ... Discharge characteristic acquisition device, 101, 102 ... Guide rail, 103 ... Moving table, 105 ... Stage, 110 ... Liquid material receiving container, 112 ... Carriage moving table, 131 ... Data memory, 132 ... waveform data selection circuit, 133A, 133B, 133C, 133D ... DAC, 135 ... drive signal selection circuit, 136 ... switching circuit.

Claims (9)

Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles exhibiting a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element A discharge characteristic acquisition device for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal for the head,
A nozzle section that divides the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 3 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
The liquid material is applied to all combinations of nozzles that are arranged in the same arrangement order in each of the divided nozzle groups and can be taken under the condition that three nozzles do not continue across all the nozzle groups. A drive signal supply unit for supplying the drive signal so as to discharge
A discharge amount measuring unit for measuring a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition unit that acquires the discharge characteristic using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition device comprising: Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element A discharge characteristic acquisition device for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal for the head,
A nozzle section that divides the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 4 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
Each of the divided nozzle groups has the same arrangement order, and the liquid material is discharged to M−1 nozzles of all possible combinations in the one nozzle group. A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive signal;
A discharge amount measuring unit for measuring the discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition unit that acquires the discharge characteristic using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition device comprising: Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element A discharge characteristic acquisition device for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal for the head,
A nozzle section that divides the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 5 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
All the divided nozzle groups are arranged in the same order, and the liquid material is ejected to M-2 nozzles of all possible combinations in the one nozzle group. A drive signal supply unit for supplying a drive signal;
A discharge amount measuring unit for measuring a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition unit that acquires the discharge characteristic using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid material;
A discharge characteristic acquisition device comprising: The discharge characteristic acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The drive signal supply unit supplies the drive signal to the nozzles that discharge the liquid material in all the nozzle groups at a plurality of timings at which the supply timing differs between the nozzles that discharge the liquid material adjacent to each other. An ejection characteristic acquisition apparatus characterized by: The discharge characteristic acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Moving means for relatively moving the discharge target to which the liquid material is discharged and the plurality of nozzles;
A liquid material ejection device comprising: Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles exhibiting a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element About the head, a discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal,
Dividing the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 3 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
The liquid material is applied to all combinations of nozzles that are arranged in the same arrangement order in each of the divided nozzle groups and can be taken under the condition that three nozzles do not continue across all the nozzle groups. Supplying the drive signal so as to discharge
Measuring a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
Obtaining the discharge characteristics using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid;
A discharge characteristic acquisition method comprising: Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element About the head, a discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal,
Dividing the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 4 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
Each of the divided nozzle groups has the same arrangement order, and the liquid material is ejected to M-1 nozzles of all possible combinations in the one nozzle group. Supplying a drive signal;
Measuring a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
Obtaining the discharge characteristics using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid;
A discharge characteristic acquisition method comprising: Liquid material discharge having a plurality of nozzles having a predetermined arrangement and a drive element provided for each nozzle, and discharging a liquid material from the plurality of nozzles by supplying a drive signal to the drive element About the head, a discharge characteristic acquisition method for acquiring a discharge characteristic indicating a relationship between a discharge amount of the liquid material discharged from each of the plurality of nozzles and the drive signal,
Dividing the plurality of nozzles into one nozzle group for each of M (M is an integer of 5 or more) nozzles that are consecutive in the arrangement order;
All the divided nozzle groups are arranged in the same order, and the liquid material is ejected to M-2 nozzles of all possible combinations in the one nozzle group. Supplying a drive signal;
Measuring a discharge amount of the discharged liquid material;
Obtaining the discharge characteristics using the drive signal and the discharge amount of the liquid;
A discharge characteristic acquisition method comprising: A discharge characteristic acquisition method according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The step of supplying the drive signal includes the drive signal at a plurality of timings at which supply timings differ between nozzles that discharge the liquid material adjacent to the nozzles that discharge the liquid material in all the nozzle groups. A discharge characteristic acquisition method comprising:

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