Liquid discharge apparatus, connection inspecting method of the same and method for producing the same

A method for producing a liquid discharge apparatus, comprising:

• providing a liquid discharge head in which a liquid channel including a nozzle which is formed therein and through which a liquid is discharged, a pressure applying mechanism which applies a discharge pressure for discharging the liquid from the nozzle, and a first connecting terminal which is electrically connected to the pressure applying mechanism;
• a liquid tank which stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head;
• a communication channel which communicates the liquid tank with the liquid channel of the liquid discharge head;
• a printed circuit board which has a second connecting terminal to be electrically connected to the first connecting terminal;
• and a driver IC which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and which supplies a signal for driving the pressure applying mechanism to the pressure applying mechanism via the printed circuit board;
• connecting the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal electrically;
• communicating an inspection unit with the liquid discharge head, the inspection unit being provided to supply an inspecting liquid which is used to inspect connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal;
• supplying the inspecting liquid from the inspection unit into the liquid channel of the liquid discharge head;
• supplying a connection inspecting signal from the driver IC to the pressure applying mechanism after the inspecting liquid is supplied to the liquid channel, the connection inspecting signal being set so that the inspecting liquid is discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal is normal connection, and that the inspecting liquid is not discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal is not the normal connection;
• performing a first detection whether or not the inspecting liquid is discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection inspecting signal is supplied to the pressure applying mechanism;
• performing a first judgment whether or not the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal corresponding to the nozzle is the normal connection based on a result of the first detection;
• and
• assembling the liquid discharge head by detaching the inspection unit and by communicating the communication channel with the liquid discharge head under a condition that the first judgment is made that the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal is the normal connection.

A liquid discharge apparatus which discharges a liquid, comprising:

• a liquid discharge head having a nozzle which is formed therein and through which the liquid is discharged, a pressure applying mechanism which applies a discharge pressure to discharge the liquid from the nozzle, and a first connecting terminal which is an input terminal of the pressure applying mechanism;
• a printed circuit board which has a second connecting terminal electrically connected to the first connecting terminal;
• a driver IC which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board and which supplies a signal for driving the pressure applying mechanism to the pressure applying mechanism via the printed circuit board;
• a discharge detecting mechanism which detects whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the signal is supplied to the pressure applying mechanism;
• a connection inspecting mechanism which inspects electrical connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal and which controls the driver IC to supply a connection inspecting signal to the pressure applying mechanism, the connection inspecting signal being set so that the liquid is discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal is normal connection, and that the liquid is not discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal is not the normal connection;
• and the connection inspecting mechanism controlling the discharge detecting mechanism to detect whether or not the liquid is discharged from the nozzle under a condition that the connection inspecting signal is supplied to the pressure applying mechanism;
• and
• a judging mechanism which performs judgment whether or not the connection between the first connecting terminal and the second connecting terminal corresponding to the nozzle is the normal connection based on a detection result of the discharge detecting mechanism.