JP2002079673A - Ink jet recording head, method of manufacturing ink jet recording head, ink jet recording apparatus, and method of driving ink jet recording head - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce effects of dispersions of resistance values of recording elements even when a substrate size is relatively large. SOLUTION: The substrate for the ink jet recording head has a substrate including a plurality of recording elements 1 arranged in an array for generating a discharge energy to discharge ink and elements 2 for measurement disposed at least near both end parts of the recording element array comprising the recording elements 1 arranged in the array to obtain characteristics of recording elements 1, and a memory 3 as a storage means for storing a mean value, a median value or a reference value corresponding to the values of characteristic values of the elements 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink jet recording head for recording an image or the like by discharging ink onto a recording medium, a method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head, an ink jet recording apparatus, and a method for driving an ink jet recording head. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording head that supplies an appropriate amount of energy to a recording element that generates energy for discharging ink, a method of manufacturing the ink jet recording head, an ink jet recording apparatus, and a method of driving the ink jet recording head.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording device having a function such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, or a recording device used as an output device of a multifunction machine or a workstation including a computer or a word processor is based on paper or a plastic thin plate based on image information. (For example, used for OHP etc.)
It is configured to record an image on a recording sheet such as. Such recording apparatuses are classified into an ink jet type, a wire dot type, a thermal type, a thermal transfer type, a laser beam type, and the like according to a recording method of a recording unit to be used.

[0003] Among them, an ink jet recording apparatus (ink jet recording apparatus) performs recording by discharging ink from a recording means (recording head) onto a recording sheet. It can record high-definition images at high speed, can record on plain paper without special processing, has low running cost, and uses a non-impact method to reduce noise and use multi-color ink. It has the advantage that it is easy to use and record a color image.

There are several ink jet recording methods, one of which is to form a heating element in a nozzle,
There is a bubble jet (registered trademark) recording method in which bubbles are generated by heat and the energy is used. Here, a recording element that generates energy for discharging ink can be manufactured by using a semiconductor manufacturing process. Therefore, a print head using the bubble jet technology has a printing element formed on an element substrate made of a silicon substrate, and a groove for forming an ink flow path formed thereon, such as a resin such as polysulfone, glass, or the like. The top plate made of is joined.

Further, utilizing the fact that the element substrate is made of a silicon substrate, not only the recording element is formed on the element substrate, but also a driver for driving the recording element and the recording element are controlled in accordance with the temperature of the head. In some cases, a temperature sensor used in such a case and its drive control unit are configured on an element substrate.

FIG. 1 shows an example of such a recording head substrate.
0 is shown.

In FIG. 10, a plurality of heating elements (printing elements) 901 and a power transistor (not shown) for driving each heating element 901 are arranged on an element substrate 900 to provide thermal energy for discharging ink to the ink. Driver) 902
, Image data serially input from the outside and a serial clock synchronized therewith are input. The shift register 904 inputs image data for each line, and is output from the shift register 904 in synchronization with a latch clock. Latch circuit 903 that latches the image data of one line and transfers the data to the power transistor 902 in parallel.
And a plurality of AND gates 915 respectively provided corresponding to the power transistors 902 to apply the output signal of the latch circuit 903 to the power transistor 902 in response to an enable signal 908 from the outside. Input terminals 905 to 91 for inputting from
2 are formed.

The element substrate 900 has a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the element substrate 900 as indicated by reference numeral 914, and a heating element for heating the element substrate 900 based on temperature detection of the element substrate 900 by the temperature sensor. Heater is formed. (For example, US Pat. No. 5,175,565 discloses such an element substrate in which a temperature sensor and a heating heater are respectively formed on both outer sides of a printing element array in which a plurality of printing elements are arranged. Is described.
The element substrate described in the specification of US Pat. No. 5,175,565 has an element substrate 90 having such a configuration that normally causes unstable ink ejection.
Even when a temperature distribution of zero occurs, the temperature distribution is detected by a temperature sensor, and a heater for heating is appropriately driven to correct the temperature distribution of the element substrate, thereby achieving stable ink ejection. . ) Also, such drivers and temperature sensors,
A recording head having its drive control unit and the like formed on an element substrate is practically used, and contributes to improvement in the reliability of the recording head and miniaturization of the apparatus.

In such a configuration, image data input as a serial signal is converted into a parallel signal by a shift register 904, and the output is held by a latch circuit 903 in synchronization with a latch clock. In this state, a drive pulse signal for the heating element 901 (the enable signal 90 for the AND gate 915) is input via the input terminal 908.
8), the power transistor 902 is turned on in accordance with the image data, and the corresponding heating element 90
1, a current flows through the liquid flow path (nozzle), and the ink is ejected as droplets from the tip of the nozzle.

However, in the ink jet print head having the above-described structure, since there is an individual difference that occurs during the manufacturing process, the driving voltage applied to the print element gives an appropriate amount of energy to the print element. The drive voltage is too high, and the life of the printing element is shortened.On the contrary, the driving voltage applied to the printing element is too low than the drive voltage that gives an appropriate amount of energy to the printing element, and ejection failure occurs. There has been a problem that some phenomena occur.

Therefore, US Pat. No. 5,943,069 discloses an ink jet recording head which solves such a problem, using the above-mentioned heating heater as a resistance sensor, and using the heating heater as this resistance sensor. The resistance value is measured, and each heating element 901 is measured based on the measured resistance value.
Describes an ink jet recording head for setting an appropriate drive voltage to be applied to the ink jet recording head. In addition, US Pat.
No. 943069 discloses that a plurality of printing elements are arranged in consideration of the possibility that the resistance value of each heating element (printing element) may vary greatly when the size of the substrate (element substrate) is large. A total of two resistance sensors, one each, are formed on both outer sides of the printing element row, and the resistance values of these resistance sensors are sequentially measured, and the drive voltage applied to the printing element is determined based on the resistance values. The ink jet recording head to be set is described.

[0012]

In recent years, in order to increase the recording speed, the number of nozzles provided in the recording head has been increased, that is, the number of nozzles has been further increased. , "Recording width".)
However, a full-line type recording head having a long size of 100 mm or 200 mm is being put to practical use. However, it has been found that when realizing a long recording head, the above-described problem occurs again by increasing the size of the recording width (the width of the recording element array). That is, if the width of the printing element array is increased as described above, even when the configuration of the resistance sensor described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 5,943,069 is applied, some of the printing elements among the plurality of printing elements are used. In some cases, phenomena such as a shortened life and defective ejection may occur.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention describe in US Pat. No. 5,943,069 that a drive voltage to be applied to a recording element is set based on one resistance value of a resistance sensor. Just measured, 2
Although it is not described how to use the resistance values of the two resistance sensors to set the drive voltage, depending on how the resistance values of the two resistance sensors are used, even if the recording head has a long size, I thought that this phenomenon could be prevented.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have further pointed out that there is a possibility that the variation in the resistance value of each recording element becomes large when the substrate is large, as pointed out in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 5,943,069. Focusing on a certain point, we intensively research to clarify the relationship between the variation in the resistance of a plurality of printing elements provided on a substrate and the shortening of the life of the printing elements and defective discharge. In addition, as one index, if the variation is about 4% with respect to an appropriate sheet resistance value of the printing element, it is possible to shorten the life of the printing element and prevent occurrence of ejection failure, and that the printing element can be practically used. I found it.

Here, a description will be given of the characteristic of the variation in the resistance value of each printing element which occurs in a manufacturing process in which a plurality of printing elements are formed on a substrate, which largely causes the shortening of the life of the printing element and the ejection failure.

A heating element is formed on a substrate for an ink jet recording head, particularly a bubble jet type ink jet recording head for discharging ink by generating bubbles using a heating element as a recording element, and has a diameter of 125 mm (5 inches). ), 150 mm (6 inches) or the like, a heat generating layer is formed on a wafer, and the heat generating layer is patterned.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a change in sheet resistance (line indicated by a dotted line) in an AA 'section on a wafer having a heating layer formed on the surface. This change mainly occurs in the wafer surface due to variations in film thickness during film formation, variations in composition, and the like, and there is a variation of about 10 to 15% between the maximum resistance value and the minimum resistance value. here,
The characteristic of the sheet resistance variation (dotted line) will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In the peripheral portion of the wafer 2001 indicated by the hatched portion in the drawing, the variation tends to be particularly large. This is due to the fact that the film forming speed and film forming conditions in the peripheral portion of the wafer during film formation are generally more variable than in the central portion of the wafer.

Here, a conventional size (1
FIG. 12 shows an image diagram when a substrate having a recording width of 0 mm) is cut out. FIG. 13 shows an image diagram when a substrate having a larger recording width (20 mm) is cut out. These figures are for obtaining an image of how much the resistance of the recording element varies within each recording width on substrates having different recording width sizes.

The arrangement of the conventional measuring element (resistance sensor) used as a means for determining the energizing time (optimizing the input energy) applied to the recording element has been described above. Since the energization time is determined based on the value of the measurement element, the recording element farther from the resistance sensor deviates from the appropriate energy energization time determined using the resistance sensor (the element for measuring the characteristics of the recording element). As a result, there is a factor that leads to a reduction in life due to excessive energy supply, or a discharge failure due to insufficient energy.

FIG. 14 shows a conventional size (10 mm) recording width substrate and a larger size (20 mm) recording width cut out from an area where the change in sheet resistance of the heating element at the center of the wafer is relatively small. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a variation (%) of a resistance value of a recording element with respect to a resistance value of a measurement resistor for a substrate. As shown in FIG. 14, the variation in the substrate of the recording width of the conventional size is about 1%, and the variation in the substrate of the recording width of the large size is about 3%. Since it is within a certain 4%, it can be seen that a good substrate is manufactured in the central region of the wafer without being greatly affected by the size of the recording width.

FIG. 15 shows a substrate having a recording width of the conventional size (10 mm) cut out from a region where the sheet resistance change amount of the heating element in the peripheral portion of the wafer is relatively large, and a recording width of a larger size (20 mm). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a variation (%) of a resistance value of a recording element with respect to a resistance value of a measurement resistor for a substrate. As shown in FIG. 15, when the substrate is cut out from the peripheral portion of the wafer where the film formation conditions and the speed are different from those in the center and the sheet resistance change is relatively large, the substrate of the recording width of the conventional size has a maximum variation. Although about 4%, which is a good product, a substrate having a large recording width has a variation of about 8%.
%, Which results in a defective product that may cause a shortening of the life of the recording element and a discharge failure. As a result, the ratio of non-defective substrates that can be taken out of the wafer is reduced, that is, the yield is reduced.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even when the size of the recording width is relatively large and the variation of the resistance value of each recording element is large, the influence of the variation can be reduced to reduce the influence of the substrate taken out from the wafer. An ink jet recording head, a method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head, an ink jet recording apparatus, and a method for driving an ink jet recording head, which can shorten the life of a recording element and prevent a discharge failure without reducing the ratio of non-defective products. Aim.

[0023]

According to the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording head having a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array on a substrate, wherein the plurality of recording elements have resistance values of: Ink jet recording which has a variation of 4% or more based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements, and performs recording by discharging ink by generating discharge energy in the plurality of recording elements. A head, wherein a plurality of measurement elements are arranged on at least the vicinity of both ends of a recording element row in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged in an array on the substrate to obtain characteristics of the recording elements. And storage means for storing an average value, a median value of the characteristic values of the measuring element or a reference value corresponding thereto.

According to the ink jet recording head of the present invention configured as described above, the average value, the median value, or the average value of the characteristic values of the plurality of measuring elements respectively arranged at least near both ends of the recording element row. By driving the printing element using the corresponding reference value as the reference value, it is possible to reduce the variation of the resistance value of the printing element from the reference value to half that of the related art. Therefore, even when the size of the substrate is relatively large, the influence of the variation in the resistance value of the print element is reduced, and the life of the print element and the ejection failure can be prevented.

The above-described ink jet recording head of the present invention may be configured such that the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element.

Further, the recording element may be constituted by a heating element.

The recording element array may have a length of 20 mm or more.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a measuring element for obtaining the characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. .

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which measurement device terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measurement devices.

Alternatively, a measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. Configuration. in this case,
It is preferable that the resistance value of the wiring is not more than 1/10 of the sum of the resistance values of the measurement elements.

Further, the recording element array is divided into a plurality of recording element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the recording element groups. May be adopted.

In this case, in each of the printing element groups, a drive signal for causing the plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups to generate the ejection energy is supplied to a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups. At least one recording element drive signal terminal for supplying the same pulse width for each element may be connected.

The length of the recording element group may be 20 mm or more.

Another ink jet recording head of the present invention has a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array on a substrate, and the resistance value of the plurality of recording elements is one of the plurality of recording elements. An ink jet print head which has a variation of 4% or more based on a resistance value of at least one print element and discharges ink to perform printing by generating discharge energy in the plurality of print elements, Above, at least in the vicinity of both ends of a recording element row in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged in an array, measuring elements are arranged to obtain the characteristics of the recording elements, and the characteristics of the plurality of measuring elements are arranged. The value is used for determining the amount of electric energy of a drive signal supplied to the printing element to generate the ejection energy.

According to the ink jet recording head constructed as described above, even when the size of the substrate is relatively large, the influence of the variation in the resistance value of the recording element is reduced. Therefore, the size of the substrate can be made larger than before.

In the above-described ink jet recording head, the average value, the median value, or the reference value corresponding to the characteristic values of the plurality of measuring elements may be used to determine the amount of electric energy of the drive signal applied to the recording element. It may be used.

The characteristic value may be a resistance value of the measuring element.

Further, the recording element may be constituted by a heating element.

Further, the length of the recording element row may be 20 mm or more.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a measuring element for obtaining the characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. .

Further, the measuring element terminals may be connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements.

Alternatively, a measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. Configuration. in this case,
It is preferable that a resistance value of the wiring is 1/10 or less of a total of resistance values of the measurement elements.

Further, the recording element array is divided into a plurality of recording element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the recording element groups. It is good also as a structure which is performed.

In this case, in each of the printing element groups, a drive signal for causing the plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups to generate the ejection energy is supplied to a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups. At least one recording element drive signal terminal for supplying the same pulse width for each element may be connected.

Further, the recording device may be configured such that the electric energy amount of the drive signal supplied to the recording element can be individually adjusted for each recording element group.

Further, the electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the recording elements may be the same in all the recording element groups.

Further, the apparatus may further comprise storage means for storing an average value, a median value of the characteristic values or a reference value corresponding thereto.

The characteristic value may be a resistance value of the measuring element.

Further, the recording element may be constituted by a heating element.

The recording element group may have a length of 20 mm or more.

Further, between the two measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element group, a measuring element for obtaining the characteristics of the recording element may be further arranged. .

Further, a configuration may be employed in which measuring element terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements.

Alternatively, a measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element group, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. Configuration. in this case,
It is preferable that the resistance value of the wiring is not more than 1/10 of the sum of the resistance values of the measurement elements.

Further, according to the method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head of the present invention, a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array, which generate ejection energy for ejecting ink, and recording comprising the recording elements arranged in an array. A substrate including a plurality of measuring elements arranged to obtain the characteristics of the recording element at least near both ends of the element row, and an average value, a median value, or a mean value of the characteristic values of the plurality of measuring elements. Storage means for storing a corresponding reference value, a method for manufacturing an ink jet print head for performing recording by discharging the ink from a discharge port, the step of measuring the characteristic value, the measured characteristic value Calculating an average value, a median value, or a reference value corresponding thereto, of the characteristic value, and calculating the average value, the median value, or a corresponding value of the characteristic values. The Telc, characterized in that it and a step of storing in the storage means.

According to the method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head of the present invention configured as described above, the average value, the median value, or the corresponding reference value of the characteristic values of the measuring elements stored in the storage means is used. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture an ink jet recording head that can drive the recording element and reduce the influence of variations in the resistance value of the recording element.
Also, regardless of the degree of variation in the resistance value of a plurality of recording elements, the inkjet recording head is manufactured by uniformly arranging a plurality of measurement elements as described above on all the substrates, so that the resistance value of the recording elements is It is not necessary to sort the substrates according to the degree of variation, and as a result, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

In the method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to the present invention, the plurality of recording elements may further have a resistance value of:
The resistance may have a variation of 4% or more based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of printing elements.

Further, the characteristic value may be a resistance value of the measuring element.

It is preferable that the recording element and the measuring element are formed in the same step.

Further, the length of the recording element array may be 20 mm or more.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which a measuring element for obtaining the characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. .

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which measuring device terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measuring devices.

Alternatively, a measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. Configuration. in this case,
It is preferable that the resistance value of the wiring is not more than 1/10 of the sum of the resistance values of the measurement elements.

The recording element array is divided into a plurality of recording element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the recording element groups. It is good also as a structure which is performed.

In this case, in each of the printing element groups, a drive signal for causing the plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups to generate the ejection energy is supplied to a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups. At least one recording element drive signal terminal for supplying the same pulse width for each element may be connected.

The length of the recording element group may be 20 mm or more.

In the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array and the characteristics of the recording elements at least near both ends of a recording element array in which the recording elements are arranged in an array are provided. And a substrate including a plurality of measurement elements respectively arranged to obtain, the resistance value of the plurality of recording elements, with reference to the resistance value of at least one recording element of the plurality of recording elements An ink jet recording head that has a variation of 4% or more and discharges ink by generating discharge energy in the plurality of recording elements to perform recording, and a characteristic value measuring unit that measures characteristic values of the plurality of measurement elements Calculating means for calculating the measured characteristic value to obtain an average value, a median value or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic values; and A drive signal supply for supplying the drive signal to the recording element by determining an amount of electric energy of a drive signal supplied to the recording element based on an average value, a median value or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic value. Means,
It is characterized by having.

The above-described ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention
Further, the characteristic value may be a resistance value of the measuring element.

Further, the apparatus may have a storage means for storing an average value, a median value of the characteristic values or a reference value corresponding thereto.

The recording element array is divided into a plurality of recording element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the recording element groups. May be adopted.

In this case, each of the recording element groups has at least one recording element driving signal terminal for supplying the driving signal with the same pulse width to a plurality of recording elements included in each of the recording element groups. May be connected.

The length of the recording element group may be 20 mm or more.

Further, the method of driving an ink jet recording head according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array and the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of a recording element row in which the recording elements are arranged in an array. A substrate including a plurality of measurement elements arranged to obtain the characteristics of the elements, wherein the resistance value of the plurality of recording elements is equal to the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements. A method for driving an ink jet recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink by generating ejection energy in the plurality of recording elements and having a variation of 4% or more based on Based on an average value, a median value, or a corresponding reference value of the characteristic values obtained by measuring the values and calculating the characteristic values, the electric signal of the drive signal supplied to the printing element is calculated. Determining a energy amount, the drive signal of determined the amount of electrical energy and having a supplying to the recording device.

According to the method of driving the ink jet recording head of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to supply a driving signal having an optimum amount of electric energy to the recording element. It is possible to prevent the recording element from being destroyed by supplying the ink, and to prevent the occurrence of ink ejection failure due to insufficient supplied energy.

In the above-described method of driving an ink jet recording head according to the present invention, the ink jet recording head further includes a storage unit for storing an average value, a median value or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic values. Before the step of determining the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the element, the average value of the characteristic values stored in the storage means,
It may be configured to further include a step of reading out the median value or the reference value corresponding thereto.

Further, the characteristic value may be a resistance value of the measuring element.

Further, the recording element array is divided into a plurality of recording element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the recording elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the recording element groups. It is good also as a structure which is performed.

In this case, each of the recording element groups has at least one recording element driving signal terminal for supplying the driving signal having the same pulse width to a plurality of recording elements included in each of the recording element groups. It may be connected.

The length of the recording element group may be 20 mm or more.

Further, the electric energy amount of the drive signal supplied to the recording element may be adjusted individually for each recording element group.

Further, the electric energy amount of the drive signal supplied to the recording elements may be the same in all the recording element groups.

[0081]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a substrate for an ink jet recording head applied to the ink jet recording head of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of recording elements 1 arranged in an array and characteristics (particularly, resistance) of the recording elements 1 are obtained on the substrate for an ink jet recording head of this embodiment. And a measurement element 2 used for the measurement. The recording element 1 and the measuring element 2 are formed on a substrate in the same manufacturing process. The recording element 1 includes a heating element that generates heat when electric energy is supplied.

A plurality of recording elements 1 arranged in an array
Are divided into “cells” each including a predetermined number of recording element rows, and at least one cell is formed on the substrate.
Preferably, a plurality (cell 1 to cell n) is formed as shown in FIG. The measuring elements 2 are arranged at least near both ends of each recording element row. How many cells are formed on the substrate depends on how many print elements 1 arranged in an array are divided into how many print element groups. At least one cell is formed on the substrate ( In this case, the number of breaks is 0). When a plurality of cells are formed on the substrate, these cells are in a continuous state in the arrangement direction of the printing element rows as shown in FIG.

Further, on the substrate, there are two cells arranged in each cell.
A memory 3 is provided for storing an average value, a median value of the resistance values of the two measurement elements 2 or a reference value corresponding thereto. Further, the substrate is provided with a head contact 4 which is connected to a contact (not shown) provided in a printing apparatus on which a print head having this substrate is mounted. The head contact 4 is connected to a contact of the recording apparatus, so that a recording element driving signal and a driving power can be exchanged with the recording apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one cell on the substrate shown in FIG.

As described above, each cell includes a printing element array including a predetermined number of printing elements 1 and two measuring elements 2 arranged at least near both ends of the printing element array. Is provided. Two measuring elements 2
Have the same shape as each other. To both ends of each measuring element 2, measuring element terminals 5 used as terminals for measuring the resistance value of the element 2 are respectively connected.
Further, each cell is connected to each recording element 1 and applies electric energy for generating ink discharge energy to each recording element 1 to each recording element 1 for the same period of time (that is, in each cell). At least one print element drive signal terminal 6 is provided which is configured to supply a drive signal having the same pulse width to each print element. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the length of the recording element row of each cell in the arrangement direction (longitudinal direction) is about 20 mm.

The amount of electric energy supplied to the recording element 1 via the recording element drive signal terminal 6 is set to an appropriate amount by the time when the voltage is kept constant and the recording element drive signal terminal 6 is made effective (active). Controlled. Thus, the printing element drive signal terminal 6 determines the energization time. FIG. 2 shows an example in which one drive signal terminal 6 is provided in each cell. However, if the energy applied to each recording element 1 arranged in an array is the same in the array, the drive The number of signal terminals 6 does not necessarily have to be one.

In order to suppress the increase in the number of various terminals connected to each cell, as shown in FIG. 2, the size of one cell is set to 20 mm or more, and the measuring elements It is desirable to arrange 2 one by one. In FIG. 2, terminals 5 extend from both ends of each measuring element 2. However, as shown in FIG. 3, both measuring elements 2 are arranged near both ends of the recording element row of each cell. By connecting the measuring element terminals 5 to one end of each 2 and connecting the measuring elements 2 to each other by the wiring 7, the number of the terminals 5 can be halved. In this case, there is a variation of about 10% or more in the resistance value of the wiring 7 connecting the measuring elements 2 to each other, which may cause noise. Therefore, the ratio of the resistance value of the wiring 7 to the total resistance value of the measuring element 2 in each cell is set to 1 /
By setting it to 10 or less, it is possible to set the level at which the effect is small in practical use.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the resistance value changes in one direction from the center to the peripheral portion of the wafer, and FIGS.
4 shows the configuration in which the elements 2 are arranged near both ends of each cell. However, when the resistance change direction of the wafer is not one direction from the center to the periphery, FIGS. It is also effective to arrange another element 2 in the center of the element 2 at both ends of each cell as shown in FIG. In any case, it is important to arrange a plurality of measuring elements 2 so that the maximum value and the minimum value of the resistance in one cell can be captured by the measuring elements 2.

Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the significance of the “median value” of the characteristic value (here, the resistance value) of each measuring element 2 will be described.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the resistance value of the three measuring elements 2 (see FIG. 1) is measured instead of the direction of the resistance value change of the wafer being one direction. The “median value” used in this specification refers to an intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value among the resistance values of the measuring elements to be measured. on the other hand,
“Average value” refers to the average value of the resistance values of the measuring elements to be measured. If there are two measurement points,
The “median value” and the “average value” have the same value.

In the case where the change in the resistance value in the cell is as shown in FIG. 8, the first, second and third resistance values are determined based on the average value of the resistance values at the first and third measurement points at both ends of the cell. The deviation from the resistance value at the second measurement point is larger than when the median value of the resistance values at the third measurement point is used as a reference. When the average value of the resistance values at the first and third measurement points is used as a reference, the energy supplied to the recording element near the second measurement point, which is the minimum value, becomes excessive, and the endurance of the recording element increases. It may cause a decline in sex. Therefore, when three or more measurement points are used, it is preferable to use the “median value” as a reference.

On the recording head substrate, as shown in FIG. 1, the resistance values of the two measuring elements 2 arranged as described above are measured, and the measuring element 2 is measured based on those resistance values. A memory 3 is provided as storage means for storing an average value, a median value of resistance values, or a result obtained by calculating a reference value corresponding thereto. The memory 3 may be mounted on the head substrate in the form of a memory single element as shown in FIG. 1, or may be formed integrally with the substrate on the head substrate. Alternatively, the memory 3 may be provided not on the head substrate but on a recording head into which the head substrate is incorporated.

Here, an ink jet recording head having the above-described substrate for an ink jet recording head, a method of manufacturing the recording head, and an ink jet recording apparatus on which the recording head is mounted will be described.

The ink jet recording head constructed according to the present invention has a recording head substrate as described above, a plurality of discharge ports for discharging ink, and a plurality of discharge ports for supplying ink to each discharge port. A plurality of liquid flow paths which are communicated with each other and in which each recording element is arranged. The ink jet recording head configured as described above discharges ink from discharge ports by a driving method described later, and performs image recording on a recording medium such as a recording sheet.

This ink jet recording head is configured so that the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the recording element 1 can be individually adjusted for each cell. It is also possible to configure the amount to be the same in all cells.

Further, in the ink jet recording head according to the present invention, the step of measuring the characteristic value (the resistance value in the present embodiment) of the measuring element 2 is performed, and the measured characteristic value is calculated to obtain the average value of the characteristic values, the center value, A step of obtaining a value or a reference value corresponding thereto, and storing an average value, a median value, or a corresponding reference value of the obtained characteristic values in a memory 3 as storage means.
And a step of storing the data in a memory.

Further, the ink jet recording apparatus constructed according to the present invention comprises an ink jet recording head constructed as described above, a characteristic value measuring means for measuring the characteristic value of the measuring element 2, and a calculation of the measured characteristic value. Calculating means for calculating the average value of the characteristic values, the median value or a reference value corresponding thereto, and based on the average value, the median value, or the reference value corresponding thereto, of the characteristic values obtained by the calculating means.
Drive signal supply means for determining the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the recording element 1 and supplying the drive signal to the recording element 1.

Next, in the recording head using the substrate described above, how the resistance value of the measuring element of each cell is measured / calculated and stored in the memory, and the measured value data is How it is used in image recording will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the distribution of the sheet resistance value in one cell, the resistance value of the measuring element, and the variation of the resistance value by calculation.

FIG. 6 shows one cell of the recording head substrate of the present invention, particularly a cell cut out from the outer peripheral region of the wafer. In the cell shown in FIG. 6, the resistance value of the printing element 1 varies about 8% between the right end and the left end of the printing element row. The characteristics of the recording element 1, specifically, its resistance value, are measured using the measuring elements 2 arranged near both ends of the array of recording elements. The reason that the resistance of the recording element 1 is not directly measured from the recording element 1 is that a driver or the like for driving the recording element 1 is connected to the recording element 1, and it is difficult to accurately measure the resistance value of the recording element 1. Because there is.

FIG. 7 shows how a resistance value of a measuring element of each cell is measured and measured in a recording head using the above substrate.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining what is calculated and stored in a memory, and how measurement value data is used in image recording. FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, this flow includes the steps of measuring and calculating the resistance value of the measuring element of each cell in the manufacturing process of the recording head and storing the measured value in the memory (see FIG. 7A); Driving the recording head based on the data obtained (see FIG. 7B).

First, as shown in FIG. 7A, in the manufacturing process of the recording head, the resistance values of the two measuring elements 2 (see FIG. 6) in one cell are measured here (S1). . Next, a median value (average value) of the measured resistance values of the measuring elements 2 is obtained (S2). This value is buffered, the next cell is shifted, the measurement and calculation operations are repeated in the same manner (S3, S4), and after the calculation of the median (average) has been completed for all cells, the buffered central Data relating to a reference value such as a value or a code indicating the median value (average value) is stored in the memory 3 (see FIG. 1) inside the recording head (S5).

In the present embodiment, unlike the related art, the median value (average value) of the resistance values of the two measuring elements 2 arranged at both ends of the recording element row is used as the reference value. That is, about 8 with respect to the resistance value of one measuring element)
%, The variation with respect to the reference value is reduced to about 4%, which is half of the conventional value.
%. In addition, regardless of the degree of variation in the resistance of the recording elements, the inkjet recording head is manufactured by uniformly arranging a plurality of measuring elements on all the substrates as described above. Therefore, it is not necessary to sort the substrates according to the degree, and as a result, an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), a flow for performing image recording (printing) using a recording apparatus equipped with a recording head in which data is stored as described above will be described. .

Before performing image recording, first, the recording apparatus reads resistance value data of each cell from the memory 3 in the recording head (S11). Next, based on the read data, the drive signal determination means determines the amount of energy (drive condition of the print element 1) to be supplied to the print element 1 of each cell (S).
12). Here, an appropriate amount of energy is supplied to the recording element 1 by controlling the time for driving the recording element 1. As described above, in the present embodiment, the drive time of the printing element 1 is set based on the median (average value) of the resistance values of the two measuring elements 2 arranged at both ends of the printing element row. Therefore, the entire printing element 1 is driven in accordance with the median (average value) of the variation in the resistance value of the printing element 1 in one cell. Therefore, as compared with the related art in which the chip size or the cell size is the same, the variation of the resistance value with respect to the reference value can be reduced to half of that in the related art. As a result, even in a recording head using a substrate cut out from the outer peripheral portion of the wafer, the life of the recording head is shortened due to excessive supply of energy to the recording element 1, and conversely, a recording failure due to insufficient energy is caused. Can be reduced, and the yield of the recording head can be improved and the cost can be reduced at the same time.

By supplying the drive signal of the energy amount determined in this way to the recording element and driving the recording head, image recording (printing) is performed satisfactorily on the recording medium (S13).

In the above, an example in which two measuring elements 2 are arranged in one cell has been described. However, in the case where cells are cut out from a wafer having a large variation in the thickness of the formed heating element layer and used, It is preferable to determine the appropriate driving conditions by further increasing the number of measuring elements 2 provided in each cell. In this case, it is effective to use the average value of the resistance values of three or more measuring elements 2. It is. However, considering that all the recording elements 1 must operate normally, it is preferable to use the median value instead of the average value.

In the above description, in the manufacturing process of the recording head, the resistance value of each measuring element is measured, data such as the average value is stored in a memory in the recording head, and the recording head is controlled based on the data. The driving method has been described. As shown in FIG. 9, the recording head 10 is moved by using the resistance value measuring unit 201 provided on the recording apparatus main body 200 side.
During the recording operation using 0, the characteristic values (resistance values) of the plurality of measuring elements 102 are read, and the characteristic values are computed by the computing means 202a in the logic circuit 202 provided on the recording apparatus main body 200 side. Alternatively, the median value or average value of these characteristic values may be obtained, and the drive condition of the printing element 101 may be determined by the drive signal determination means 202b based on this value to drive the printhead 100. In the block diagram of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 9, reference numeral 101 denotes a recording element, reference numeral 102 denotes a measurement element, and reference numeral 103 denotes a recording apparatus main body 200.
A plurality of recording elements 10 based on a recording signal input from the
1, a drive circuit for selectively driving 1, reference numeral 200 denotes a recording apparatus main body, reference numeral 201 denotes a resistance measuring unit of a measuring element, and reference numeral 201 a denotes a measuring element 101 of each cell connected to the recording apparatus main body 200. A changeover switch for switching, reference numeral 201b denotes an amplifier for amplifying a signal based on the resistance value of the measuring element 102, and reference numeral 201c denotes an amplifier 2
A / D converter for A / D converting the signal based on the resistance value of the measuring element 102 amplified by 01b, and reference numeral 203 denotes a power supply for generating a driving voltage to be applied to the recording element 101.

(Other Embodiments) In the configuration shown in FIG.
The measuring elements 2 are provided near both ends of the recording element row for each cell. Therefore, two measuring elements 2 are adjacent to each other near the boundary between the cells. In such a configuration, an area between the measurement elements 2 adjacent to the cell boundary is a so-called blank section of the measurement, so that the resistance of the recording element 1 provided at a position corresponding to the area. It is difficult to know exactly the value change.

Therefore, instead of providing the two measuring elements 2 with the cell boundary therebetween as described above, only one measuring element 2 is provided near the boundary of each cell, and the two adjacent measuring elements 2 are provided.
The configuration may be such that the functions of the two measurement elements 2 are shared. According to this configuration, since there is no “blank section of measurement” as described above, for more recording elements 1,
It becomes possible to know the change in the resistance value.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of recording elements arranged in an array and a recording element array in which the recording elements are arranged in an array are arranged at least near both ends. Since it has a substrate including a plurality of measurement elements, by driving the recording element based on the median or average of the characteristic values of the plurality of measurement elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, Variation of the resistance value of the recording element with respect to the reference value can be reduced to half of that of the related art. Therefore, even when the size of the substrate is relatively large, the influence of the variation in the resistance value is reduced, and the life of the recording head is shortened due to the excessive supply of energy to the recording element, and conversely, the energy is insufficient. The probability of causing a recording failure can be reduced, and the yield of the recording head can be improved and the cost can be reduced at the same time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a substrate for an inkjet recording head to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing one cell on the substrate shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which measuring elements of each cell are connected to each other by wiring inside a substrate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which another measuring element is arranged at the center of the measuring element at both ends of each cell in the configuration shown in FIG. 2;

5 is a diagram showing an example in which another measuring element is arranged at the center of the measuring element at both ends of each cell in the configuration shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a distribution of sheet resistance values in one cell, and a resistance value of a measuring element and a variation of the resistance value by calculation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of measuring and calculating a resistance value of a measuring element of each cell and storing the measured value in a memory, and a flow of recording an image based on measured value data stored in the memory. is there.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the significance of the “median value” of the characteristic value of each measurement element.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a conventional printhead substrate.

FIG. 11 shows A- on a wafer having a heat generating layer formed on its surface.
It is a graph showing sheet resistance change in A 'section.

12 is an image diagram in the case of cutting out a substrate having a recording width of a conventional size from the wafer shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an image diagram when a substrate having a larger recording width is cut out from the wafer shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 shows the resistance of the measuring resistor for a substrate having a recording width of a conventional size and a substrate having a recording width of a larger size, which are cut out from a region where the sheet resistance change amount of a heating element in a central portion of a wafer is relatively small. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a variation (%) of a resistance value of a printing element with respect to a value.

FIG. 15 shows the resistance of the measurement resistor for a substrate having a conventional recording width and a substrate having a larger recording width, which are cut out from a region where the sheet resistance change amount of the heating element around the wafer is relatively large. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a variation (%) of a resistance value of a printing element with respect to a value.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 101 Recording element 2, 102 Measurement element 3 Memory 4 Head contact 5 Recording element characteristic measurement element terminal 6 Recording element drive signal terminal 7 Wiring 100 Recording head 200 Recording apparatus main body 201 Resistance value measuring means 201a Switching switch 201b Amplifier 201c A / D converter 202 Logic circuit 202a Operation means 202b Drive signal determination means 203 Power supply

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Teruo Ozaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mochizuki Nga 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Non-corp. F term (reference) 2C057 AF23 AF24 AF65 AG12 AG83 AK02 AL11 AL25 AM16 BA05 BA13

Claims (58)

[Claims] A plurality of recording elements arranged in an array on a substrate, wherein a resistance value of the plurality of recording elements is based on a resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements. An ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink by generating discharge energy in the plurality of recording elements, wherein the plurality of recording elements on the substrate have an array shape. A plurality of measuring elements respectively arranged to obtain the characteristics of the recording elements at least in the vicinity of both ends of the array of recording elements arranged in an array; And a storage means for storing a corresponding reference value. 2. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 3. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein said recording element is formed of a heating element. 4. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein the length of the recording element row is 20 mm or more. 5. A measuring element for obtaining characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. 5. The ink jet recording head according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The ink jet recording head according to claim 1, wherein measuring element terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements. 7. A measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. The inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: 8. The ink jet recording head according to claim 7, wherein a resistance value of the wiring is equal to or less than 1/10 of a total resistance value of the measuring elements. 9. The printing element array is divided into a plurality of printing element groups, and a plurality of the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the printing elements are provided at least near both ends of each of the printing element groups. The inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inkjet recording heads are arranged. 10. Each of the print element groups includes a plurality of print elements included in each of the print element groups, the drive signals for causing the plurality of print elements included in each of the print element groups to generate the ejection energy. The inkjet recording head according to claim 9, wherein at least one recording element drive signal terminal for supplying the same pulse width every time is connected. 11. The ink jet recording head according to claim 9, wherein the length of the recording element group is 20 mm or more. 12. A printing apparatus comprising a plurality of printing elements arranged in an array on a substrate, wherein the resistance values of the plurality of printing elements are based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of printing elements. By causing ejection energy to occur in the plurality of printing elements,
An ink jet recording head for performing recording by discharging ink, wherein the characteristics of the recording elements are obtained at least near both ends of a recording element row in which the plurality of recording elements are arranged in an array on the substrate. A plurality of measuring elements are arranged, and characteristic values of the plurality of measuring elements are used to determine an amount of electric energy of a drive signal supplied to the recording element in order to generate the ejection energy. Recording head. 13. The electric energy amount according to claim 12, wherein an average value, a median value, or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic values of the plurality of measurement elements is used for determining the electric energy amount. Ink jet recording head. 14. The ink jet recording head according to claim 12, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 15. The ink jet recording head according to claim 12, wherein said recording element is formed of a heating element. 16. The ink jet recording head according to claim 12, wherein the length of the recording element row is 20 mm or more. 17. A measuring element for obtaining characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. 17. The ink jet recording head according to any one of items 1 to 16. 18. The ink jet recording head according to claim 12, wherein measuring element terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements. 19. A measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. The inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein: 20. The ink jet recording head according to claim 19, wherein a resistance value of the wiring is equal to or less than 1/10 of a total resistance value of each of the measuring elements. 21. The printing element array is divided into a plurality of printing element groups, and measuring elements for obtaining characteristics of the printing elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the printing element groups. The ink jet recording head according to claim 12, wherein: 22. Each of the printing element groups has at least one printing element drive signal terminal for supplying the drive signal with the same pulse width to each of a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups. 22. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, which is connected. 23. The printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the printing elements can be individually adjusted for each printing element group.
Or the inkjet recording head according to 22. 24. The printing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the printing elements is the same in all the printing element groups.
4. The ink jet recording head according to any one of items 3. 25. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, further comprising a storage unit for storing an average value, a median value of the characteristic values, or a reference value corresponding thereto. 26. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 27. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, wherein said recording element is formed of a heating element. 28. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, wherein said recording element group has a length of 20 mm or more. 29. A measuring element for obtaining characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element group. 29. The ink jet recording head according to any one of items 30 to 28. 30. The ink jet recording head according to claim 21, wherein measuring element terminals are connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements. 31. A measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element group, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. The inkjet recording head according to any one of claims 21 to 29, wherein 32. The ink jet recording head according to claim 31, wherein a resistance value of the wiring is equal to or less than 1/10 of a total resistance value of each of the measuring elements. 33. A plurality of printing elements arranged in an array, which generate ejection energy for ejecting ink, and at least near both ends of a printing element array in which the printing elements are arranged in an array. A substrate including a plurality of measurement elements arranged to obtain the characteristics of the recording element, and storage means for storing an average value, a median value, or a reference value corresponding to the average value, the median value of the characteristic values of the measurement elements. A method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink by causing the plurality of recording elements to generate the discharge energy, comprising: a step of measuring the characteristic value; and the measured characteristic value. To calculate the average value of the characteristic values,
Determining a median value or a reference value corresponding thereto, and storing the determined average value, median value, or corresponding reference value of the characteristic values in the storage means. Of manufacturing an inkjet recording head. 34. The resistance value of the plurality of recording elements has a variation of 4% or more based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements.
3. The method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to item 3. 35. The method according to claim 33, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 36. The method according to claim 33, wherein the recording element and the measuring element are formed in the same step.
13. The method for producing an ink jet recording head according to item 9. 37. The method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to claim 33, wherein the length of the recording element row is 20 mm or more. 38. A measuring element for obtaining characteristics of the recording element is further disposed between the two measuring elements disposed near both ends of the recording element row. 38. The method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to any one of items 37 to 37. 39. The method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to claim 33, wherein measuring element terminals are respectively connected to both ends of each of the measuring elements. 40. A measuring element terminal is connected to one end of each of the measuring elements arranged near both ends of the recording element row, and the measuring elements are connected to each other by wiring. The method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 33 to 38. 41. The method according to claim 40, wherein a resistance value of the wiring is 1/10 or less of a total of resistance values of the measuring elements. 42. The printing element array is divided into a plurality of printing element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the printing elements are respectively arranged near both ends of each of the printing element groups. The method for manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein: 43. Each of the printing element groups includes a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups, the drive signals for causing the plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups to generate the ejection energy. 43. The method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head according to claim 42, wherein at least one recording element drive signal terminal for supplying the same pulse width every time is connected. 44. The method according to claim 42, wherein the length of the recording element group is 20 mm or more. 45. A plurality of printing elements arranged in an array and at least near both ends of a printing element array in which the printing elements are arranged in an array to obtain characteristics of the printing elements. A substrate including a plurality of measurement elements, wherein the resistance values of the plurality of recording elements have a variation of 4% or more based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements, An ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink by generating discharge energy to the plurality of recording elements; a characteristic value measuring unit that measures characteristic values of the plurality of measurement elements; Calculating means for calculating an average value of the characteristic values, a median value or a reference value corresponding thereto, and an average value of the characteristic values obtained by the calculating means;
A drive signal for determining the amount of electric energy of a drive signal to be supplied to the printing element to generate the ejection energy based on a median value or a reference value corresponding thereto, and supplying the drive signal to the printing element An ink jet recording apparatus having a supply unit. 46. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 47. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 45, further comprising a storage unit for storing an average value, a median value, or a reference value corresponding to the average value or the median value of the characteristic values. 48. The printing element array is divided into a plurality of printing element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the printing elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the printing element groups. Claims 45 to 4 wherein
8. The inkjet recording apparatus according to any one of items 7 to 7. 49. Each of the printing element groups has at least one printing element drive signal terminal for supplying the drive signal with the same pulse width to a plurality of printing elements included in each of the printing element groups. 49. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 48, which is connected. 50. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the length of the recording element group is 20 mm or more. 51. A plurality of printing elements arranged in an array and arranged at least near both ends of a printing element row in which the printing elements are arranged in an array to obtain characteristics of the printing elements. A substrate including a plurality of measurement elements, wherein the resistance values of the plurality of recording elements have a variation of 4% or more based on the resistance value of at least one of the plurality of recording elements, A method of driving an ink jet recording head that performs recording by discharging ink by generating discharge energy to the plurality of recording elements, comprising: measuring characteristic values of the plurality of measurement elements and calculating the characteristic values. The amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the printing element to generate the ejection energy based on the obtained average value, median value, or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic values. A step of determining, the driving method for an ink jet recording head is characterized in that a step of supplying the drive signal of the electric energy amount the determined to the recording elements. 52. The ink jet recording head further comprises a storage unit for storing an average value, a median value or a reference value corresponding to the characteristic values, and determines an electric energy amount of a drive signal supplied to the recording element 52. The method according to claim 51, further comprising a step of reading an average value, a median value, or a reference value corresponding to the average value or the median value of the characteristic values stored in the storage unit before the step of performing. 53. The method according to claim 51, wherein the characteristic value is a resistance value of the measuring element. 54. The printing element array is divided into a plurality of printing element groups, and the measuring elements for obtaining the characteristics of the printing elements are arranged at least near both ends of each of the printing element groups. Claim 51 to Claim 5
4. The method for driving an ink jet recording head according to any one of items 3. 55. At least one print element drive signal terminal for supplying the drive signal having the same pulse width to each of a plurality of print elements included in each of the print element groups is connected to each of the print element groups. 55. The method of driving an ink jet recording head according to claim 54, wherein: 56. The driving method of an ink jet recording head according to claim 54, wherein the length of the recording element group is 20 mm or more. 57. The ink jet printer according to claim 54, wherein the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the recording elements can be individually adjusted for each recording element group. Driving method of recording head. 58. The method of driving an ink jet print head according to claim 54, wherein the amount of electric energy of the drive signal supplied to the print elements is the same in all the print element groups. .