JP2862517B2 - ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge which can be exchanged for the ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The ink jet recording method has been practically used in recent years, since the generation of noise at the time of recording is extremely small to a negligible level, and recording can be performed on so-called plain paper.

Among them, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-51837
The ink jet recording method (so-called bubble jet recording method) described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-209400 differs from other liquid jet recording methods in that thermal energy is applied to ink to obtain a driving force for discharging ink droplets. Has features. That is, in this recording method, the ink that has been subjected to the action of thermal energy causes a rapid volume change (film boiling phenomenon) due to a state change, and the ink is ejected from the ejection port at the tip of the recording head by this action force. Flying ink droplets are formed, and the ink droplets adhere to the recording member to perform recording.

The recording head 1 of a recording apparatus used in this recording method, in particular, the vicinity of the ink ejection port and the portion where heat is applied to the ink have a structure as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). I have. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electrothermal transducer 2 is connected to a liquid passage 6 from an arrow A via a heat acting surface 9 as an energy acting surface in a heat acting portion 7 which is a droplet forming energy acting portion. It is in contact with the liquid (ink) to be introduced. Such a configuration is adopted for the purpose of effectively and efficiently applying the generated thermal energy as the ink droplet forming energy to the ink in the thermal action section 7.

[0005] The principle of ink droplet formation in the recording method using such a recording head 1 is that, as described above, when energization to the electrothermal converter is turned on, the energy of the ink droplet formation energy is applied. The state of the ink in the heat application section 7 changes with a sudden increase in volume, that is, the ink in the heat application section 7 generates, grows, and contracts bubbles very instantaneously. The liquid existing between the outlet 5 and the outlet 5 is ejected as ink droplets.

The ink receives high heat by repeating the cycle of generation, growth, shrinkage and disappearance of the bubbles. Therefore, a chemically unstable ink is apt to cause a chemical change, and an insoluble matter is formed and precipitated in the heat acting portion 7, so that the recording head 1 may not be able to discharge the ink. Therefore, in order to perform high-speed long-time printing using such an apparatus, it is extremely important to set the optimal driving conditions corresponding to the ink of the printhead while improving the stability of the ink. Become.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which an electric signal having a pulse waveform indicated by P is input to an electrothermal transducer 2 provided in a recording head 1 having a structure as shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). The time-dependent changes in the surface temperature T of the heat acting surface 9 and the volume V of the generated bubbles are shown. Now, the time t
At ₀ and the time t _f, on and off by the pulse-like electrical signal P is input, the surface temperature T of the heat acting surface 9 reaches the maximum temperature T _p at the time t _f.

[0008] Here, in the heat acting portion 7 T _p is filled with ink when the boiling point Tb is greater than the ink in contact with the heat acting surface 9, with the passage of the beginning time bubbles are generated from time Tb0 of T = Tb At time T
_{At p} , the maximum volume Vp is reached. When the electric signal P is turned off at the time t _f , the surface temperature T starts to gradually decrease, the volume V of the bubble decreases accordingly, and the bubble disappears at the time t _B1 .

In the ink jet recording apparatus, in order to stably and efficiently discharge ink droplets, for example, in the above-described bubble jet recording method, a voltage and a pulse width for supplying electric energy to the electrothermal transducer 2 are used. Inkjet recording is performed according to the characteristics of the ink set for the inkjet recording device, such as film boiling drive conditions such as frequency, and control of preliminary ejection, preheating, or recovery operation of the recording head for more stable practical printing. It is pre-programmed in hardware or software in the device. Therefore, if another type of ink that does not meet these settings is used, the printhead cannot be driven normally, and it is difficult to achieve high-quality printing. Therefore, the form of the ink cartridge is usually
Each device is specially designed to prevent users from accidentally using it.

[0010]

However, such a conventional ink jet recording apparatus has the following problems.

As described above, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, since it is not possible to select an ink different from the conditions set in the apparatus, the use range of the ink jet recording apparatus is limited, and excellent recording characteristics are obtained. It is difficult to use the ink jet recording apparatus widely. Further, even if an ink having better ejection characteristics and recording characteristics is developed in the future, it will not be possible to use the ink because the program in the apparatus is not appropriate.

The above problems will be described below in detail and concretely. Table 1 shows examples of typical ink compositions used in the ink jet apparatus.

[0013]

[Table 1]

Ink is an example of a standard ink that exhibits general performance in both viscosity and stickiness. On the other hand, the ink is characterized in that the proportion of components that are hardly volatilized with respect to the ink is increased, so that the ejection openings of the recording head are not easily clogged. Therefore, the ink jet recording apparatus using the ink does not require a mechanism for preventing clogging of the ejection port when the ink jet recording head is at rest, or can simplify the structure. However, since the ink has a relatively high viscosity, it is necessary to sufficiently perform an operation of discharging ink that does not contribute to recording, that is, a so-called preliminary discharge, in advance in each use. for that reason,
Throughput may be reduced. In addition, there is a disadvantage that the ink easily bleeds on the recording member and the print quality is not so high. The ink is characterized by increasing the ratio of water to the ink, rapidly drying the ink on the recording member, and performing high-quality recording with little bleeding. Furthermore, since the ink in the nozzles after ejection is quickly refilled, the nozzles can be driven at a relatively high frequency. However, since the ink easily dries, the ink at the ejection port portion of the recording head is likely to be fixed during the suspension of recording. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a recovery operation such as pumping and a frequent capping operation when the recording head is stopped. In particular, when the above-described ink is used for a bubble jet type recording head using thermal energy as the ink ejection energy, the energization is made relatively short (2 to 5 [μsec]) and the drive voltage is reduced accordingly. Unless it is set high, stable ink ejection cannot be performed. Therefore, if the recording head can withstand such a high driving stress, good high-quality printing can be obtained, but otherwise, low-quality printing with poor droplet landing point accuracy will result.

Table 2 shows a specific example of the driving conditions of the recording head for each ink in Table 1.

[0016]

[Table 1]

Here, the apparatus example I uses a single crystal silicon as the base material of the recording head, and has a characteristic that can withstand a short pulse current, drive at a high voltage, and respond to a high frequency. It is equipped with a head. The apparatus example II uses glass for the base material of the recording head, and has a low-priced recording head, although it has low durability for short-pulse energization, high-voltage driving, and high frequency. is there.

For example, in the case where the apparatus I programmed in consideration of the use of ink having standard characteristics is used with extremely low frequency, it is desirable to use ink that does not cause clogging. However, the content of the drive program of the recording head, which records the conditions under which the best ejection can be performed when ink is used, is adjusted to the characteristics of the ink, such as the number of preliminary ejections, the drive frequency, and the pulse width. Must definitely change it.

In the apparatus example I, ink may be used to increase the printing speed. In this case, too, the user must change the driving conditions of the recording head in accordance with the characteristics of the ink, as described above. There is a need.

However, it is complicated for the user to change the driving conditions according to the characteristics of the ink used.
It is easy to make mistakes, and the recording device is likely to be damaged due to a malfunction of the recording head. For example, when using a recording head of the type of apparatus II, when changing the conditions when using ink to the driving conditions when using ink, the head driving voltage is 28 V and the pulse width is 3 μm.
By setting the time to sec, good ejection of ink can be obtained.
However, as described above, this driving condition is not appropriate because a high stress is applied to the recording head and the life of the recording head may be extremely shortened. Therefore, in consideration of the life of the recording head, for example, the drive voltage must be 21 V, the pulse width must be about 7 μsec, and the set frequency must be from 6 kHz to 3 kHz.

As described above, it is appropriate to use the ink in consideration of the use state and purpose of the ink jet recording apparatus. However, the type and the drive characteristics of the recording head must be changed so that the ink used can be changed. It is difficult for ordinary users to finely change programs in the ink jet printing apparatus main body, such as the print head driving conditions and the preliminary ejection conditions, in consideration of the above. Further, even if the setting can be changed, incorrect setting may be performed, abnormal printing or excessive stress may be applied to the print head, and it is difficult to guarantee the reliability of the printing apparatus. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide an ink cartridge to which information for controlling a driving condition of a recording head is added based on ink used.

[0023]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above-mentioned object, and is directed to an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head for recording an image by causing ink ejection. An ink cartridge provided with a medium provided with information for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus, while being provided so as to be replaceable and storing the ink therein and supplying the ink in accordance with the ejection of the ink. The medium includes information for selecting a condition for stabilizing formation of ink droplets ejected from the recording head, which is written in a conversion table provided in the inkjet recording apparatus.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 3 shows an ink cartridge 51 which can be attached to and detached from the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, a supply unit connected to the ink cartridge 51 for supplying ink to the ink jet recording apparatus, and the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a part of a connection device 52 provided on an ink jet recording apparatus side including a receiving unit and the like for receiving waste ink from the recording apparatus.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 12 denotes a housing as an exterior of the ink cartridge 51, which is usually formed by plastic molding according to the shape and configuration of the cartridge accommodating portion of the ink jet recording apparatus main body.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a sealed ink container for storing ink. In this embodiment, a flexible ink bag is used, and the ink is enclosed and stored therein. 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes an ink supply unit made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber. The ink supply unit is connected to the ink bag via the ink outlet tube 15a, and when the ink cartridge 51 is connected to the ink jet recording apparatus, the hollow ink needle 16 installed in the connection device 52 of the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus. Is inserted and becomes a portion for supplying the ink in the ink bag into the ink jet recording apparatus.

Further, the ink forcibly discharged from the ink jet recording head due to the filling of the ink into the recording head or the recovery operation of the recording head, etc., is connected to a waste ink collecting tube 16a installed in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus.
The ink passes through the hole 16b provided in the exterior of the ink cartridge, and is fed into the waste ink reservoir 18. 19
Is a medium having information indicating the type of ink in the ink cartridge. The medium used in this embodiment is a resistor (having a predetermined resistance value selected from 0 to ΔΩ). Reference numerals 19a and 19b are terminals provided on the ink cartridge side for electrically connecting the medium to the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus. When the ink cartridge and the ink jet recording apparatus main body are completely connected, the terminals 19a and 19b are provided with pin terminals 20a and 2 provided on the ink jet recording apparatus main body.
0b. The pin terminals are electrically connected to a control circuit in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus, and the control circuit can freely read information of the element.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connection between the ink cartridge 51 and the ink jet recording apparatus 53 shown in FIG. When the ink cartridge 51 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 53, the medium 19 on which the ink cartridge is mounted is connected to the interface 54 of the apparatus 53, and the information of the medium 19 is transmitted.
Based on this information, a control as described later, for example, a table in the ROM 56 including a conversion table is selected, and the driving of the recording head 59 is controlled by the head drive control device based on the selected table.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 51 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 53 shown in FIGS.
a, 19b and a pin terminal 20a, 20b on the apparatus side are electrically connected to each other, and a series of operation sequence when the power of the ink jet recording apparatus main body is turned on in a state where the ink supply system is connected is shown. .

In step 101, the power is turned on.
Then, in step 102, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge is mounted on the apparatus. If no ink cartridge is mounted, a warning lamp is displayed in step 103. If it is determined that the ink cartridge has been mounted, step 104
Read the resistance value of the medium mounted on the ink cartridge. Then, in step 105, data is read from the data table according to the value. The data is determined in step 106, and if there is no data, a warning lamp is displayed in step 107. If there is data, the data is transferred to the drive RAM in step 108. In step 109, the recording head is driven according to a predetermined table. In step 110, it is determined whether or not printing is possible, or whether or not there is a printing signal. Step 11
At 1, printing is performed. If the printing is not possible, the process returns to step 109 again to perform processing for bringing the recording head into the printing enabled state. Needless to say, the detection of the presence or absence of the ink cartridge may be performed by detecting a medium mounted on the ink cartridge.

Table 3 shows an example of a conversion table of the resistance values of the resistors on the ink cartridge and the ink jet driving conditions for the resistance values.

[0033]

[Table 3]

This conversion table is recorded in advance in a control ROM in the ink jet recording apparatus. After the presence of the ink cartridge is confirmed, the information on the ink cartridge is read as a resistance value.

Here, for example, the ink jet recording device 53
Is the device example I in Table 2, and the type of ink is shown in Table 1.
If the resistance value of the resistor on the cartridge corresponding to the medium ink is 1 kΩ, the CPU 55 determines from the conversion table recorded in the ROM 56 shown in Table 3 that the drive voltage is 21 V and the pulse width is Information of 7 μsec, a driving frequency of 4 kHz, and the number of preliminary ejections of 128 is read, and then transferred to a specific area of the RAM 56 as data for driving the inkjet recording head. Similarly, if the resistance value corresponding to the ink is 100 kΩ, the driving voltage is 28 V, the pulse width is 3 μsec, and the driving frequency is 6 k.
Hz and the number of preliminary ejections of 50 are read from the conversion table.

When the printing is actually performed by driving the recording head 59, the CPU 55 operates in the above-described RAM.
The above data is read again from the area, and the head controller 58 is instructed. Of course, the table is different depending on the device. In the device example II, the driving voltage is 21 V, the pulse width is 7 μsec, the driving frequency is 3 kHz, the number of preliminary ejections is 50, and the clogging prevention mechanism is very simple. Is inappropriate, if the data on the conversion table of the apparatus is set to have a specific value (0 in this example) for identification, the ink jet recording apparatus judges that the setting is impossible and issues an alarm. Can occur. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine which ink is difficult to eject when used for a print head having predetermined characteristics.

Further, by ensuring a sufficient capacity of the conversion table, an ink jet recording apparatus capable of coping with excellent ink in the future can be realized by putting many expected types of driving conditions in the conversion table. In the above-described example, the case where the drive voltage, the pulse width, the drive frequency, and the number of preliminary ejections can all be changed has been described by giving an example of reading from the conversion table. For example, it is apparent that a circuit in which only the driving voltage, only the pulse width, only the driving frequency, or a combination thereof is set can be formed in the device. In addition to the information specified by the medium, there are other conditions such as preheating conditions for preliminarily heating the recording head to improve the characteristics of the ink, ink ejection conditions for obtaining optimal ejection at the time of recording, and a plurality of colors. Ink ejection conditions when recording is performed using the above ink.

As described above, the type in which the resistor is mounted on the ink cartridge as a medium is as follows.
The collecting portion may be provided at a predetermined position on the front side of the ink cartridge provided, or may be provided on the upper surface of the ink cartridge as shown in FIG.

In this case, as for the resistance value of the resistor, a resistor having a different resistance value may be mounted between terminals on the cartridge side connected to the contacts on the apparatus side, or the resistance of the resistor is changed. Can take various values. At this time, as a method of changing the resistance value of the resistor, a logo type having a predetermined shape or the like can be used. Further, as the resistance value to be set, a value is set such that the conversion table set on the main body side can be appropriately read as described above.

As a method of mounting the resistor on the ink cartridge, a method of printing the resistor directly on the upper surface of the cartridge so as to have a predetermined resistance value, or a method of forming a predetermined resistance value. As described above, there is a method of attaching a label on which a resistor is printed.

As described above, when a cartridge provided with a resistor having a predetermined resistance value is mounted on the apparatus, the terminal of the resistor and the terminal on the main body side are configured to be scratched. This is because even when the terminals are connected to each other with the oxidized film formed on the surface of the terminal, stable reading of the resistance value may not be performed. This eliminates this instability.

Although the above description has been given of the example of the resistor as the medium mounted on the cartridge, a capacitor, a diode, a coil, a battery and the like can be used for the same purpose.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the information medium can be attached and detached in the ink cartridge described with reference to FIGS. In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a chip having a resistance as an information medium, and when combined with the fitting portion 29 of the ink cartridge, the appearance and function of the ink cartridge are completely the same as those of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. Therefore, in the manufacture of the ink cartridge of the present invention, it is not necessary to assemble and prepare the ink cartridge housing 12 and the element 19 corresponding to the type of ink in advance, and the chip 28 can be attached when the ink cartridge is filled. As a result, it becomes easier to prevent the product from being mixed, and efficient production can be achieved. As a result, an inexpensive and highly reliable ink cartridge is realized.

Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, a simple element such as a resistor is shown as an information medium. However, in the present invention, a semiconductor can be used as another example. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention including an electrically erasable read-only semiconductor memory array as an information medium in an ink cartridge. 21
Is an ink cartridge body, an ink storing section,
The structure of the waste ink reservoir, cap, and the like is the same in function and structure as the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 22
Is a semiconductor memory array. Here, the semiconductor memory array includes ROM (read only memory), EEP
ROM (electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory), battery backup RAM, and the like. 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a substrate, which is accurately attached to the exterior of the ink cartridge. The substrate has a terminal portion 26 for fixing the memory array and electrically connecting the memory array to a connector 25 provided in the inkjet recording device 24. As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge main body is inserted into the ink cartridge receiving section 27 of the ink jet recording apparatus 24, the connector 25 and the terminal section 26 are electrically connected. At this time, the ink storage section and the waste ink pool are similarly connected to the connection device of the ink jet recording apparatus main body.

FIG. 7 shows a series of operations when the power of the ink jet recording apparatus main body is turned on in a state where the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 6 are electrically connected and the connecting device is connected. Represents a sequence. This sequence is similar to that shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the memory array provided in the ink cartridge has more information (currently the lowest capacity one or more [1 Kbytes] or more) than the information medium shown in the first embodiment. ing.)
Therefore, the ink jet driving conditions and the like are directly written in the same manner as the conversion table mounted on the apparatus main body in the first embodiment. Therefore, the CPU immediately transfers information such as ink jet driving conditions from the memory array to a specific area of the RAM as data at the time of driving the ink jet recording head after the power is turned on. The recording head may be driven in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.

The feature of this embodiment is that, as described above, information such as driving conditions suitable for the ink in the ink cartridge is recorded in the memory of the ink cartridge for each type of ink jet recording head. There is no need to prepare a conversion table on the main unit.
Therefore, it is not necessary to create many conversion tables in advance. That is, in the embodiment, even if new ink is prepared in the future, only the ROM data of the ink cartridge needs to be changed, so that the expandability is high.

FIG. 9 shows an example of an ink cartridge in which a removable information medium employs a memory array as described above with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes a semiconductor memory array chip such as a ROM, an EEPROM, a battery backup RAM, etc., and a terminal 31 for electrically connecting to a connector 32 of the ink cartridge on the exterior 31. Reference numeral 34 denotes a terminal for electrically connecting the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus to the memory array. Therefore, it is apparent that the same effects as those of the example shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained in this embodiment.

Third Embodiment FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which information such as the driving conditions of the ink jet recording head is recorded in a memory on the ink cartridge in parallel with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge into the ink jet recording apparatus. It is. Numeral 35 is a magnetic tape.
Information such as ink jet driving conditions is recorded in 35a in parallel with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge. Also,
In order to prevent defective reading of information due to a change in the insertion speed, a dedicated track on which timing information at a constant interval is written is set at 35b in parallel with the track on which the information is written.

As shown in FIG. 10, information such as ink jet head driving conditions recorded on the magnetic tape is sequentially read by the read head 36 when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink jet recording head main body. After the information is transferred to the RAM area in the ink jet recording apparatus main body, the ink jet recording head may be driven based on this information in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 11 shows another embodiment in which the information recording method on the ink cartridge is changed in the embodiment shown in FIG. In this embodiment, information such as ink jet driving conditions uses a barcode 37 attached to an ink cartridge exterior part instead of the magnetic tape of the above-described embodiment. In this case, similarly to the above-described embodiment, information such as the driving conditions of the recording head is sequentially read by the reading head 38 when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge receiving section 27 of the ink jet recording apparatus. In the present embodiment, it is sufficient that a barcode is printed as a recording medium, so that a relatively easy-to-manufacture and inexpensive ink cartridge can be provided.

Embodiment 5 FIG. 12 shows another embodiment in which the information recording method on the ink cartridge is changed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. Here, reference numeral 39 denotes an ink cartridge, and reference numeral 40 denotes a three-dimensional information pattern arranged on the housing of the ink cartridge, which is integrally molded with the housing of the ink cartridge. Reference numeral 41 denotes a three-dimensional information pattern for timing information. As shown in the figure, information such as the ink jet recording head driving conditions recorded in the three-dimensional information pattern is sequentially read by the read cam switch 42 when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge receiving section 27 of the ink jet recording apparatus. . After the information is transferred to the RAM area in the ink jet recording apparatus main body, the ink jet recording head may be driven based on this information in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Embodiment 6 FIG. 13 shows another embodiment in which the information recording method on the ink cartridge is changed from the embodiment shown in FIG. Here, reference numeral 40 denotes an ink cartridge, and reference numeral 41 denotes a three-dimensional information pattern arranged on a housing of the ink cartridge 40, which is integrally molded with the ink cartridge housing. Reference numeral 42 denotes a three-dimensional information pattern for timing information. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the information such as the inkjet head driving conditions recorded in the three-dimensional information pattern is sequentially read by the photoelectric switch 43 of the inkjet recording head body when the ink cartridge is inserted into the inkjet recording apparatus. Can be After the data is transferred to the RAM area in the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus, the ink jet recording head may be driven based on this information.

As shown in FIG. 14, it is preferable that the medium for transmitting information according to the various methods described above is disposed, for example, above the ink junction between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus in the direction of gravity. That is,
As shown on the top 44-48 of the cartridge in the figure,
It is preferable that the above-described information medium or the information transfer part between the information medium and the main body of the ink jet recording apparatus is positioned above the level line of the cap 15 which is the ink connection part of the ink cartridge and the ink jet recording apparatus.

By providing the information medium or the information transfer section between the information medium and the ink jet recording head above the ink connection section in the direction of gravity, for example, even if ink leaks from the ink connection section, Since the ink flows downward under the cartridge according to the direction, it is possible to prevent the medium from being wetted by the ink. Therefore, it is possible to minimize adverse effects such as electrical leakage, corrosion of terminals, and malfunction of the sensor caused by slight leakage of ink when the ink cartridge is attached or detached.

As described above, the present invention has a configuration in which the driving of the recording head can be changed in consideration of the characteristics of the ink. The ink ejection characteristics can be exhibited. That is, the load on the thermal energy generating section of the head can be reduced, and the ejection stability and the life can be increased. For a typical configuration and principle of a recording head, see, for example, US Pat.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in 3129 and 4740796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information to the electric transducer and providing a rapid temperature rise to obtain nucleate boiling, heat energy is generated in the electric transducer and the heat acting surface of the recording head is generated. It is effective because bubbles can be formed in the liquid (ink) in one-to-one correspondence with the drive signal.
By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge port opening by the growth and contraction of the gas, at least one liquid is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable. As the pulse-shaped drive signal, US Pat.
Nos. 59 and 4,345,262 are suitable. It should be noted that US Pat.
If the conditions described in the specification are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed. As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration of the discharge port and the liquid path electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above specification, the heat acting portion is bent. A configuration using U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600 which disclose a configuration arranged in a region to be formed is also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 123670/1984 discloses a configuration in which a slit common to a plurality of electrothermal transducers is used as a discharge section of the electrothermal transducer, and an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is provided in the discharge section. The effect of the present invention is also effective as a configuration based on Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 138461/1984, which discloses a configuration corresponding to the above. Furthermore,
As a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the case of the maximum recording medium that the recording apparatus can record, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. The present invention can exhibit the above-mentioned effects more effectively, although it may be either a configuration or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally. In addition, the present invention is effective even when a replaceable chip-type recording head is used, which can be electrically connected to the entire apparatus and can supply ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. It is.

Further, the ink cartridge 154 of the present invention
As shown in FIG. 16, when the ink holder 152 passes through the ink application section, the holes or recesses 156 formed in the ink holder 152 are filled with ink, and the ink holder 152 filled with ink is filled with ink. When the holes or recesses 156 reach the surface of the recording head 151, a desired voltage is applied to the recording head 151 to cause ink to be ejected.
The present invention can also be applied to an ink cartridge that supplies ink to the ink applying unit 153 of an apparatus that forms an image on a recording member 157 that moves on a platen while being opposed to the ink cartridge 51.

In this case, similarly to the embodiments, various information provided in the cartridge 154 is transmitted by the interface 159 between the ink applying section 153 and the cartridge, and the CP is transmitted.
In U155, it is possible to select a processing table based on the information and control the head 151 to perform predetermined driving. On the other hand, it is preferable to add recovery means for the printhead provided as a configuration of the printing apparatus, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. If these are specifically raised, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another overheating element or a combination thereof, and separate from recording It is also effective to perform the preliminary ejection mode in which the ejection is performed in order to perform stable printing. In these modes, the effect is further enhanced if the drive according to the characteristics of the ink is performed by the medium provided in the ink cartridge. Further, the printing mode of the printing apparatus is not limited to a printing mode of only a mainstream color such as black, and a printing head may be integrally configured or a combination of a plurality of printing heads. The present invention is also very effective for an apparatus having at least one of the full colors.

[0058]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, by providing a medium containing information for triggering an ink jet head on an ink cartridge, the ink Since the ink jet device itself can automatically set the driving conditions of the head, it is possible to provide an ink cartridge capable of providing a highly reliable ink jet recording device which is easy to operate.

According to the first aspect, information for selecting and setting the driving conditions of the ink jet head that matches the composition and characteristics of the ink stored in the ink cartridge from the conversion table of the ink jet recording apparatus is used. , In the form of a medium, the optimum driving conditions can be selected simply by mounting the ink cartridge on the ink jet apparatus without complicated operations. Further, according to the second aspect, it is possible to select a condition that does not apply an unnecessary load to the electrothermal transducer of the recording head and stabilize the ejection of the ink. Further, according to the third and fourth aspects, by displaying the warning, it is possible to visually recognize the abnormality before executing the recording or the like, thereby preventing the improper execution of the recording. Claim 5
According to the method, since the label is attached to the upper surface of the ink cartridge, even if ink leakage or the like occurs, the medium is not affected and the information can be transmitted reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic sectional views showing the vicinity of an ejection port of an ink jet recording head.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between an applied pulse and bubble growth.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of an ink cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration for controlling driving of a recording head based on information of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a sequence until printing is performed based on information of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing another example of the ink cartridge according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a sequence until printing is performed based on information of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing still another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing still another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view showing an installation position of a medium mounted on an ink cartridge.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another example of the ink cartridge.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an inkjet recording apparatus.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-257648 (JP, A) JP-A-62-108057 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 2/175 B41J 2/05 B41J 29/42

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head for recording an image by causing ink to be ejected is provided so as to be exchangeable, and stores the ink therein and discharges the ink in accordance with the ejection of the ink. And a medium having information for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the medium is a conversion card provided in the ink jet recording apparatus.
An ink cartridge containing information for selecting conditions for stabilizing the formation of ink droplets ejected from the recording head written in a table . 2. The recording head according to claim 1, further comprising an electro-thermal conversion element for ejecting the ink, wherein conditions for stabilizing the ejected ink droplets are a relatively high voltage and a short voltage relative to the electro-thermal conversion element. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein current is supplied for a long time, or power is supplied for a relatively low voltage for a long time. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the energization is enabled when information is included in the medium, and a warning is displayed on a display mechanism included in the inkjet recording apparatus when the information is not included. The ink cartridge according to claim 1. 4. A display according to whether or not a warning is displayed on the display mechanism.
The ink cartridge for the ink jet recording apparatus.
4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, wherein whether the cartridge is mounted or not can be checked. 5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the medium is a resistor label, and is mounted on an upper surface of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet apparatus.