Inkjet recording head substrate and drive control method, inkjet recording head, inkjet recording head cartridge and inkjet recording apparatus

A drive control method of an electrothermal transducer of a substrate having the electrothermal transducer for generating thermal energy used to discharge ink and a drive element for driving the electrothermal transducer mounted thereon, the method comprising steps of:

• inputting an input signal of the first voltage amplitude level;
• outputting selection signals for selecting the electrothermal transducer to be driven at the second voltage amplitude level higher than the first voltage amplitude level based on the input signal;
• and
• controlling a drive element corresponding to the electrothermal transducer to be driven based on the selection signals by using an NOR circuit subject to the second voltage based on the signal outputted at the second voltage amplitude level.

An inkjet recording head having a substrate comprising:

• a discharge opening for discharging ink;
• an electrothermal transducer provided correspondingly to the discharge opening;
• and
• a drive element for driving the electrothermal transducer,
• wherein the substrate includes:
• a first circuit portion for outputting selection signals for selecting the electrothermal transducer to be driven at a amplitude level of a second voltage higher than a first voltage based on an input signal of the amplitude level of the first voltage;
• a second circuit portion including an NOR circuit for inputting the selection signals from the first circuit portion and controlling the drive element corresponding to the electrothermal transducer to be driven based on the selection signals subject to the second voltage;
• and
• a plurality of signal lines for transmitting the selection signals between the first and second circuit portions.

An inkjet recording head cartridge, comprising:

• an inkjet recording head having a substrate including
• a discharge opening for discharging ink,
• an electrothermal transducer provided correspondingly to the discharge opening, and
• a drive circuit for driving the electrothermal transducer;
• and
• an ink tank filled with the ink to be supplied to the inkjet recording head,
• wherein the substrate includes:
• a first circuit portion for outputting a selection signal for selecting the electrothermal transducer to be driven at a amplitude level of a second voltage higher than a first voltage based on an input signal of the amplitude level of the first voltage;
• a second circuit portion including an NOR circuit for inputting the selection signals from the first circuit portion and controlling the drive element corresponding to the electrothermal transducer to be driven based on the selection signals subject to the second voltage;
• and
• a plurality of signal lines for transmitting the selection signals between the first and second circuit portions.

An inkjet recording apparatus, comprising:

• an inkjet recording head having a substrate including a discharge opening for discharging ink, an electrothermal transducer provided correspondingly to the discharge opening and a drive circuit for driving the electrothermal transducer;
• and
• a circuit for transmitting a control signal to the inkjet recording head,
• wherein the substrate includes:
• a first circuit portion for outputting selection signals for selecting the electrothermal transducer to be driven at a amplitude level of a second voltage higher than a first voltage based on an input signal of the amplitude level of the first voltage;
• a second circuit portion including an NOR circuit for inputting the selection signals from the first circuit portion and controlling the drive element corresponding to the electrothermal transducer to be driven based on the selection signals subject to the second voltage;
• and
• a plurality of signal lines for transmitting the selection signals between the first and second circuit portions.